The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-08-09
AGUINALDO APPEALS TO FOREIGN
GOVERNMENTS FOR RECOGNITION
Continued From First Page.

that the recognition of belligerency was not
in itself a causus belli.
Foreign Powers Friendly
I'm TO the present time there has been
no intimation to the state department that
any foreign power entertained the remotest
idea of giving recognition to Aguinaldo and
his associates. On the contrary there mas
been most friendly feeling maintained by
this government and foreign powers
throughout the Philippine conflict.
The state department does not share the
apprehension which is said to have arisen
among army officers that China has given
indirect recognition to the Fflipinos. Ihls
apprehension grew out of a report from
General Otis that horses could not be Sc
cured for cavalry use from China because
they were "contrabrand of war;"
At the state department it is said that
,tlIe matter hao not assumed a form in
volving the recognition of state of war.
but that Minister Conger reports Chinas
course is due entirely to certain domestic
regulation prohibiting the expectation of
horses or ponies.
Couldn't Get Them from China
Some time ago General Otis made requi-
eition upon the war department for $500
horses to mount the cavalry in the Philip
pines. He stated in the dispatch that
horses from the islands were not satisfac-
tory and that contracts for them in China
had failed, the words "contraband of war"
being added.
The matter was then referred to the
Minister Congor on June wrote letter
to Secretary Hay, enclosing the corre-
spondence that had passed between the
Chinese foreign office and himself relative
to the refusal of China to allow the ponies
to be exported. 1t appears from this corr
respondence that E. s. Dalton had con-
tracted at Tien Tsin for seventy-five ponies
and twenty-five mules, but was refused q
pass. Mr.. Congor, upon investigation,
found that the refusal was based upon a
law of China prohibiting the export of
horses and ponies. Russia has been re-
fused as well as other countries, and the
Chinest foreign office said that they could
not make an exception in favor of the
United States No suggestion is made that
the ponies are contraband of war, and
General Otis must have been misinformed
when he sent his dispatch to the war de-
| partment.
Foreign ConsuIs at Manila
The course which the foreign consuls at
| Manila will pursue in connection with Ag-
| uinaldo's communication is a matter of
! some conjecture among officials here. At
| the state department there is no disposition
| to limit the consuls in forwarding the APP
| peal to their respective governments. AS
| rule it is quite unusual for consuls hold
| ing exequateurs from a friendly govern
| ment and having official relations with 1t
| to carry on communication with an insur-
rectionary leader But 1t is appreciated
that in this case the consuls are the inno-
cent victims of Aguinaldo's letter writing.
AS military authority is supreme in the
Philippines any questions arising as to the
| course of the consuls would probably be
referred to General Otis, but there is no
| intimation here that he has been advised
| of the address or that he will have any
| objections to it's transmission by the con-
| suls.
| ( 1t is rather expected, however, that the
consuls will take occasion to advise with
the military authorities as to the proprie-
| ties of the situation before taking final ac-
ton.