The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-01
FIGHTING FOR INDEPENDENCE.
Filipino Commissioner de Jurado Says
His People Want Freedom.

His People Want Freedom.
New York, Oct. 31.--A dispatch to
the World from London says: Senor
Antonio Regidor de Jurado, who, it is
believed, is to act as Aguinaldos en-
voy for the purpose of presenting
peace terms to the authorities in Wash
ington, arrived here to-day from Ma
drid. To World correspondent he
declared that one of his missions to
the American capital was to lay the
grievance of the secular priests in the
Philippines against the friars before
the Washington government.
THE friars,'' he said, have placed
themselves under the protection Of
General Otis and are appropriating
the property CT the secular priesthood. I
am also asked by an Influential COM
mittee of bankers and merchants in
Manila to use any available oppor-
tunttfes while at Washington to sound
your government as to the best terms
of peace
When asked the direct question
whether or not he was specially ac-
credited by Aguinaldo. Senor Regidor
diplomatically replied that he might
be so accredited before he started for
Washington, which would be in the
latter part Of November
Have YOU noticed the dispatches to-
day stating that Aguinaldo had open
from Tarlac?" was asked
Il place no reliance on these reports"
was the reply. my latest private in
formation from the leading members
of the Filipino assembly is that Aguin-
aldo will make no move toward peace
until he knows what congress intends
to do. He considers it waste Of time
to treat with General Otis. If con-
gress decides that the Philippines are
to have self government, then peace
will ensue certainly, but if military
government is decreed, war will con-
tinue to the end. 1t will take 100000
men to effect the conquest of the Phil
ippines and 100000 to maintain order
there afterward. Aguinaldo and the
Filipino generals know what General
Otis forthcoming campaign is to be.
They only smile at it. Otis viii make
no impression on the country"
What do they say of the Philippine
situation in Madrid?'
II talked with a number of Spanish
statesmen and geenrals who had had
experience in the Philippines. They
were all pleased to see that the United
States had found the subiugaton of
the Philippines not such an easy mat
ter as had been expected. They de-
clare it is impossible of achievement in
the manner in which the Americans
were proceeding. The Fiiipinos have
offered to release the Spanish prisoners
If Spain will recognize Filipino inde-
pendenee. but Spain. while anxious to
get the soldiers freed, does not want
to offend the United States"
DO you think peace is comins?"
THAT depends on congress. A quick,
honorable settlement would be far
more advantageous to the United
States than unending, inconclusive
war. But the Filipinos will not stand
a military government They had
enough of that from the Spaniards, and
it never succeeded"
Senior Regidor is a typical Filipino
He is over SO years OF age. suave in
manner and speaks English fluently,
having practiced as Spanish advo-
cate In London 80 years ago. where in
commercial circles he is highly respect
ed. both personally and profes ssionalIY