The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-25
AGONCILLO ASKS WHY
Troops and Warships Are Being
Sent to His Country.

Don Felipe Agoncillo calls attention to
the fact that on January IL he address,
ed letter to him upon the question of
recognition forwarding with it a MEM
orandum demonstrating that according
to all American presidents the Philip
pine republic was entitled to recognition
and in the same letter invited the at
tention of the secretary to the present
strained conditions at Manila, where
over-zeaI on either side might create
condition resulting in grievous loss of
life and urging the necessity of an early
and frank communication between the
representatives of the two countries.
He further calls attention to the fact
that since his letter was written the
very circumstances he feared have
brought the two countries to the edge
of war and says that the language used
by him was so prophetic that subse-
quent facts have amply justified its en-
plOyment. He now desires to call the
attention of the secrtary to certain con-
d1tions which, in his opinion require i'm
mediate alienation.
TROOPS ENOUGH.
There are, he says,at the present time,
10000 American troops at Manila con-
trolling a population of about 300 900. A
number of war vessels are stationed in
the harbor, and many other American
men of war and transports are to be
found within the archipelago, although
troops extends over not to exceed one
hundred and forty-three square miles
out of more than two hundred thouS-
and. Despite the enormous forces now
in this extremely circumscribed area,
1--WE are informed through the public
prints that other vessels of war have
been ordered from distant parts of the
globe to reinforce those now among the
islands in question while few days ago
a transport sailed from New York city
carrying about 1000 soldiers and having
Manila as it's destination and as we are
further informed regiments of troops
are under orders to proceed by way of
San Francisco to the Philippines. The
public prints inform us that an attack
is contemplated upon the Philippine is
lands; the islands to be taken in detail,
the smaller ones first, the larger ones
blockaded so that they may not assist
those first attacked
He says it is naturally the impression
of his government and people that these
warlike preparations indicate existing
or immediate military operations in the
Orient and they readily conceive that it
must be contemplated that such opera
lions are to be levelled at the existing
government of the Philippines.
NO JUSTIFICATION.
AS to the representation of the Phil
ippine government he continues:
at hesitate to give a decision to this
idea for / can not believe that there is
any present or future difficulty between
the American and the Philippine group
d
believer in the humanity of the Ameri-
can people refuse to acquiesce in the
idea that America designs war upon the
Philippine islands,.
He points out the fact that but late
ly the United States and the Philippine
government have been associated in
conflict against common enemy, the
United States accomplishing it's purpose
by the expulsion of Spain from the West
Indies, while the desire of the Philip
pine republic has been practically at
tanned by the almost complete expulsion
of the Spanish government from the
Philippine islands; the Philippine gov
eminent now holding as prisoners of
war between nine and ten thousand
Spanish soldiers and the Spanish pos
SeSSing only a few small garriSonS in as
olated points of minor Importance.
He is therefore unable to conceive any
reason why the armies and navies of the
United States, lately employed against
a common enemy, should be turned
against Americas recent associates.
The United States, he says, has no
active enemy in the Orient, having pro-
claimed an armistice with Spain. 1t is
true he continues, that Spain has I'M
dertaken to convey to the United States
its alleged claim against the Philip
pines, a claim which Spain was not ca
pable of enforcing and which never
found it's origin in the consent of the
people of those islands. He inquiries:
WHAT IS IT FOR?
Are my government and people to be
some desire on the part of the American
government to enforce against it's late
associate this exploded claim that the
United States is massing it's forces at
the late capital of the Philippine is
lands?"
He points out that the Philippine is
lands are in a state of order, possessing
a government satisfactory to the in
habitants and without an enemy in
their borders offering any resistance to
its operations, and are at peace with all
the world.
He is sure the secretary of state will
appreciate, in view of the circumstances
detailed, the quieting, reassuring effect
upon the minds of his countrymen to re
suit from a disclaimer on the part of
the American government of any inten-
ton to attack their liberties and indie
pendence.
Continuing, he says that notwith-
standing the difficulty he labors under
in not having been formally received,
he finds it his imperative duty to call
the attention of the secretary to the
disturbing facts enumerated, to the end
that he may receive such assurances
as will satisfy his government that it is
net the intention of America to make
war upon the new republic of Asia and
which will explain to it the reason why
large armies and navies should be dis
patched to the Philippine islands and
which will relieve his countrymen of
the fear that now possesses them that
their liberties are in danger at the
hands of a republic whose name they
have ALWAYS believed was associated
with freedom and to which they first
came for recognition.
He expresses his gratitude to America
for services rendered and hopes that
urges the importance Of an immediate
answer.