The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-01
THUS REPORTS GEN. OTIS
THEY RETURNED TO MANILA
AFTER DEWEY'S VICTORY.
PROCLAIMED INDEPENDENCE IN AUGUST
Agulra|do Warned The American Authorities as
Early as lune Against Landing Troops
in the Philippines. Subsequent
Events Which Led to War.

IVcHtS WHICH LEU 10 WdIs
Washington, May 31.-The Secretary
of War to-day made public the report of
General Otis, transmitting the reports of
his subordinate officers on the opera
tions around Manila up to April 9th.
General Otis begins with this state
ment:
These military operations are fairly
well presented in the reports, and
have little to add thereto, but desire par
ticularly to call attention to the rise and
development of conditions and circum-
stances which resulted finally in war;
This | deem to be essential in order to
correct the somewhat prevailing impress
sion that the Government of the United
States is responsible through deceit or
wrongful action for the present existing
hostilities.''
To this end he gives a short summary
of the Philippine insurrection against
Spain, laying stress on the fact that a
small band of the natives of Luzon,
leaders of the rebellion of 90 against
Spain. We're induced for a monetary con-
sideration to leave the island These
men returned to the vicinity of Manila
after the destruction of the Spanish feet.
there. being as General Otis says. ZEN
couraged without authority to attempt
the organization of what they were
pleased to denominate an independent
government for the Philippine people"
Independence, General Otis says,
''was proclaimed by Aguinaldo in Au-
gust, and as early as June he had
IT,,.@ ~.
against the landing of its military forces
on Philippine soil without first obtaining
his consent. because as he expressed it,
the Philippine people might consider the
occupation of Philippine territory by
North American troops a violation of
their rights
General Otis says:
"When the United States forces land
ed from their transports near and to the
south of Manila for the purpose of at
tacking the city, the fiction that they
were acting as allies of the insurgents.
and in furtherance of Philippine inde-
pendence appears to have been conveyed
by insurgent leaders,
General Otis describes Aguinaldo's eff
forts to strengthen his lines in prepara-
ton for hostilities with the United
States during this time and explains the
growth of the insurgent independent
movement
Early in January General Otis was
asked by conservative Fiipinos to an
point a committee of army officers to
meet an msurgent committee by which
peace might be maintained General
Otis refused to recognize any nsurgent
government, but was willing to nego-
tiate with Aguinaldo or a commission
appointed by him.
The latter named a commission con-
sisting of three Of his leaders to confer
with General Otis. with view to an
amicable understanding, but expressed
surprise that Otis would not receive the
commissioners as official representatives
of the insurgent government.
General Otis explained that he was
acting merely as the agent Of the United
States Government. AS such he had no
authority to recognize the Filipino Gov
ernnent He was under strict orders
from the President, he said, to avoid
conflict if possible but he admonished
Aguinado that the American troops
were aware of the Filpinos' efforts to
precipitate hostiities. He pointed out
that definite policy with reference to
the Philippines would have to be de-
clared by Congress. and for the action
of Congress he hoped Aguinaldo would
wait
General Otis says the negotiations
were barren of practical results. The |
insurgent members desired absoHte in
dependence, but were unauthorized ID
present any statement they could man
tain
IN the latter part of January the in |
surgents became aggressive interfering |
with the American troops. and finally |
led General Otis to address another LET |
ter to Aguinaldo. calling attention 70 |
the arrest by Filipinos of some American |
soldiers and newspaper correspondent
anu requesting an explanation. Gen. |
Grad OTIS letter added
Il am doing everything possible 70 |
preserve the peace and avoid all fr;c-
tion until the Philippine people can he
made fully acquainted with the senti-
ments and intentions of the American
Government, when | am confident that
they will appreciate the endeavors of
the United States and will again look
upon that country as their friend and
protector. | also fully believe that the
present unrest is the result of machina- |
tions of evil disposed persons"
To this letter Aguinaldo sent sar- |