Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-09
ACU|NALDO BOBS UP.
He Appeals to the Powers
for Recognition
FILIPINO INDEPENDENCE. "
II is Held That This Has Been
Established.
ALLEGED AID FROM DEWEY.
Claim Also That Dewey and British
and belgian ConsuIs AcknOwl-
edged Filipino sovereignty-Re-
quest That War he stopped.



consuls in Manila, with the request that
they forward it to their respective gov
ernments.
The Fiipinos use their old argument
that they had conquered the sovereignty
Of these islands from Spain before the
signing OF the treaty Of Paris, and there
fore Spain was in no position TO ccde
them to the United States. They argue
that the possession Of 1900 Spanish pris-
oners, captured with their arms, fighting
against the Filipinos, "is eloquent proof
of the nullity of Spanish sovereignty, as
when they surrendered spain's hold was
irrevocab'~ lost"
ATTITUDE TOWARD SPAIN.
The document then says: Replying TO
the Spanish commissions request to re-
lease the prisoners, because Spain no
longer has political interests in the is
lands, we asked for a treaty Of peace and
friendship between Spain and the FIJI
pinos. whereby the prisoners might be
released but the commissioners refused,
because il would mean recognition Of our
independence. This IS equivalent to say
ing that the prisoners must stay in our
hands indefinitely because their posses
sion is our most efiicacious method Of adj
justing our account with Spain, and OBJ
tanning from her recognition OF our indie
pendence"
The Filipinos claim that they conquered
oil 10 Lo
they co-operated in securing the latter's
capitulation by surrounding 1t at cost
Of thousands of lives.
AID FROM DEWEY.
They also claim that they conquered
the country unassisted, except for sixty
guns that Admiral Dewey gave Aguinal-
do, and that Admiral Dewey and the
British and Belgian consuls recognized
Filipino sovereignty by asking for passes
TO visit the country.
They repeat the claim that they nave
letters from American consuls and gene
rails recognizing their sovereignty. and
promising that the Americans would re-
cognize their independence. which was
at the disposition Of the Powers"
SPANISH PRISONERS FROM AMERI-
The Filipinos attempt to make capital
of the statement that Admiral Dewey
had such confidence that Aeuinaldo
would observe and fulfil the rules ~
war. that he gave him a hundred Spanish
prisoners which the American navy had
captured.
Finally. the FHipinos appeal 70 the
Powers 10 influence Washington 10 bring
20 termination the unjust war
which is devastating the country"
EFFECT OF THE APPEAL
WASHINGTON, August S.-The State
Department IS entirely without informa-
ton as TO any address by Aguinaldo 20
foreign Powers for the recognition Of the
FiipinOs, either as belligerents or as con-
shutting an independent government
The appeal is looked upon, however, as
creating no particular change. as IT has
been the desire Of Agunaldo and his
associates from the first TO secure such
recognition.
The appeal puts this desire into rather
formal shape. and it may bring TO an
issue the attitude Of outside governments.
There is no apprehension, however, that
any foreign government will heed the
address. The international usage as 10
recognition was quite fully developed du
ring the Cuban Instruction.
WHAT WILL THE CONSULs DO?
The course which the foreign consuls
at Manila will pursue in regard to Agui-
naldo's communication is a matter Of
conjecture among officials here. At the
State Department there is no disposition
TO limit the consuls in Forwarding the
communication to their respective gov
ernments. AT a rule. it is quite unusual
for consuls holding eXequaturs from
friendly government. and having official
relations with il, TO carry on cOmmuni-
cations with an insurrectiOnary leader.
But il is expected that in this case the
consuls are the innocent victims of Agui-
naldo's letter-writing. AS military au-
thority is supreme in the Philippines, any
questions arising as 10 the course OF the
consuls would probably be referred -
General Otis, but there Is no intlmation
here that he has been advised of the ad-
dress, or that he will have any objec-
ton TO its transmission by the consuls.
1t is rather expected however. that the
consuls will take occasion to advise with
the military authorities as TO the pro-
prieties OF the question before taking
final action.
FURTHER SPANISH NEGOTIATIONS.
MANILA, August SIS p. M.-The
authorities at Madrid have ordered the
Spanish commissioners not TO return 10
Tarlac, and il is reported that two spe-
cial issioners-Senors Capriles ana
Cuerbo-are on their way here from Spain
TO conduct the negotiations for the sur
render Of the Spanish prisoners now held
by the Filipinos.
WE SHELL NON-COMBATANTS.
MANILA. August ?, via HONGKONG.
August S.-The gunboat Napidau last
week shelled Paete on the lake. near
Santa Cruz. The town was full OF !eo-
pie who had been encouraged to return
after General LawtOn's expedition, hav-
ing been advised that they would not be
molcsted If they peaceably attended 10
their business. Lieutenant Cope, who
was in command OF the Napidau. heard
that the insurgents had reoccupied The
town. and steamng close in. opened fire
with his 6-pounders. without warning.
The people. seeing the boat approach,
fed 10 The hills I'm a terrified condition.
and with barely time TO escape. One
child was killed and many buildings were
damaged. The authorities express great
regret on account Of the incident.
TROOPS SLOW TO FIGHT.
After the taking Of Calamba by the
Americans General Lawton ordered that
CAPTAIN Otis. Of the Washington regi-
ment. be relieved OF his command ana
placed under arrest on account OF SLOW