The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-05-20
Aguinaldo Upheld.

Hotel, Boston, on Tuesday. The event
of the meeting was strong address de-
livered by ex Gov. Boutwell,, President
of the anti Imperialist League, in which
he upheld the position Of AguinaldO
and answered Secretary Long.
Winslow Warren presided, and after
the Secretary had read IA number of
letters commencing the cause, ex-Gov.
Boutwell, was introduced. Before read
ing his paper he said that the first part
of what he was about TO say had been
submitted TO the executive committee
of the league and had been approved by
its members. so that in some respects
il might be taken as the voice Of the
anti lmperialist League
Ex-Gov. Boutwell, began by denying
tho charge that the anti-lmpcrialist
League organization was engaged IN
improper dealings with the army in the
Philippines. but stated that it was the
purpose of the league ito bring the
army out Of the Philippines by quiet
influence Of the American people ut
home, acting through the channels Of
intercourse and communication but,
failing in that effort. AS fail we may.
then we propose to 50 act rs to summon
the army from the Philippines by the
authority of the votes OF the American
people, and without thought rs to the
consequences to men. to admlnistra-
tions, to political parties, or to ques-
tions Of domestic concern.
SAYS AGUINALDO Is IN THE RIGHT.
After some further reference to the
work in which the league is engaged,
the speaker entered upon discussion
OF the subject Of Imperialism, taking up
the most recent development in the
Philippine situation. lie said:
III the opinion Of one person upon
the question whether the President of
the United States or Aguinaldo is IN
the right is Of any value to the advo-
Gates Of imperialism, am prepared to
make answer The President asserts a
right to govern others, right which
has never been possessed lawfully by
any one, and which has never been ex-
ercised through fear. fraud, force, aud
war. AS between Aguinaldo and the
President, Aguinaldo is in the right
and the President is in the wrong
Aguinaldo can only bring the war to
an end by the surrender OF all right Of
self government in himself and In his
people, and by the recognition Of a
right in the President to govern and TO
tax 5000 900 Filipinos In whatever
manner shall TO him seem expedient -
Ex-Gov. Boutwell, pointed out some
Of the differences between the claims
Of the United States upon the Philip
pines and those Of England upon the
American colonies.
SECRETARY LONG CRITICISED
Taking up Secretary Longs intima-
tion that the Philippines might be given
a government similar to those Of the
Territories Of the United States. the
speaker enumerated some Of the priyl-
leges which the Territories enjoy, and
asked what the reply Of American cit.
zens wound be to the proposition to
endow 5000, 600 Malays and their
posterity through all time with a right
of competition and equality.
Mr.. Boutwell, held that the iniquity
OF imperialism was bearing harvest OF
evil in many quarters, in support OF
which statement he cited recent events
in Samoa and Hawaii.
The speaker in closing directed the
thought Of the audience TO the changed
relations which would have resulted
from willingness on the part OF
George III and the British Ministry tc
cooperate with the American colonies
i'm establishing self government, and
pointed out how, from the possibility
of establishing such relations with the
Philippines, their friendship had been
lost to the United States, and the only
possibility for peaceful conditions re-
naming was in the opportunity pre-
sented Of abandoning claim to juris-
diction and the tender Of aid without
positive obligation in the establishment
of an independent government.