The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-01-28
AGONCILLO'S DENIAL

or Scndinga a Dispatch to Aguinaldo,
In Which he Advised the Insurgcnt
Leader he Would Have to Fight for.
Independence.
WASHINGTON. Jan. a7.-Agoncillo
the representative of Aguinaldo, au-
thorlzin the following statement to-
day, concerning n published report that
the government had Intercepted dis
patches from him to Aguinaldo, In
which he advised that the Filpinos
would have 10 fight for their independ-
encc. and that now was the time to act:
THE statement Is absolutely false,
and Is calculated to excite feeling and
anlmoisity in this country, and TO pref
udice the Philippine cause. No such
telegram has ever been sent by me, and
for that reason no telegram could have
been intercepted. The falsty of the
statement is shown by the fact that /
have cabled my government TO continue
the same friendship which was born
on the battlefield against Spain. The
Philippine people have no wish and no
purpose to fight against the Americans
dit ullN Gil W IL. lHelI Dllly
desire is to strengthen the bonds now
existing"
Other members of the Filipino junta
who were present when -Agoncillo made
this statement concurred in what he
said. and emphasized the latter's dec
laratlon that all his advices had been
toward an avoidance Of Il rupture. In
other quarters 1t was stated that Ag-
oncillo had sent dispatches from time
to time. three rather long ones going
within the last few days. According
TO the Filplnos nothing has been sent
advised fighting. but everything has
counseled continued friendship. Under
such circumstances the members OF the
junta assert that any discriminating
dispatch which has come into the
hands of the government is a forgery
II it ascribes to Agcncillo any advice
TO AGuinaldo to begin lighting. Beyond
denying this report. AEonclllo said he
had nothing to make public. as to the
communications to or from Aguinaldo.
He expressed the positive opinion. how
ever. that the cable report that the FL
ipino congress had authorized a declar-
alton OF war was not correct, as he
says the Filipino people do not wany y
conflict with the Americans. and will
do everything possible to avoid 1t.
State Department Mute.
The officials at the state department
are mute regarding the treatment TO be
accorded Agoncillo. the representative
here Of Agulnaldo. although 1t is known
he has been held under surveillance
ever since his arrivel In this city, and
that it was learned that he was in COR
respondence over the cables with his
chief. generally through some one OF
the Philippine juntas in Hong Kong,
London or Paris, but whether any tele-
gram has been actually interrupted
cannot be learned. There was good
ground also for the belief that Agon-
cilol was receiving advice from certain
persons inimlcal to the policy the Pres
ident has adopted for the treatment OF
the Philippine question at this stage.
This has been tolerated reluctantly by
the administration, rather than TO
make an open Issue of what Is still u
case possible OF adjustment. The pub
lication few days ago ago OF what
proved to be a very good abstract, with
exact quotations. OF the letter left the
day preceding the publication by Agon-
Clllo's secretary at the state depart
ment likewise was resented as IL notable
breach of official decOrum. The first
inclination Of the officials. after this
publication. was to get rid OF Agoncllo,
hut officials were loath to take any ac-
tion in advance OF the senate passing
upon the pending peace treaty. cspe-
ciaily us an action might involve pass
Ing upon certain legal and diplomatic
points involved as to which 1t Is desired
not TO establish n precedent at this
time. Administration officials believe
the general tenor OF the advlces Agon-
In line OF admonitlon to hold or from
the acceptance of any terms from Gem
eral Otis, In view OF the prospect that
the peace treaty might fail in the
United States senate.
The situation at Manila IS regarded
as critical, of course. but the officials
see no reason why they cannot COM
mand 1t for Il time at least. General
Otis reported yesterday In connection
with some matters connected with the
shipment home of some sick Spanish
soldiers that he could hold out beyond
II doubt until his relnforccments ar
rived. and added that rs the news had
reached Manila that there was every
prospect that the peace treaty will soon
be ratified by the United States senate.
the effect upon the native element had
been salutary.
General Otis was given permission
to load some of these sick Spanish SOL
dicrs upon two Spanish steamers now
At Manila. or Just due, leaving the
terms to be paid to be settled upon the
basis OF the contract price TO be paid
by the war department to the steam-
ship line that secures the contract next
week for the transportation home OF all