Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-01-26
insurgents Massing Their Forces
In the Vicinity Of the Phil
ippines Capital,
AMERICANS READY FOR BATTLE
General Otis Thinks the Crisis IL at
Hand, and Is Prepared to
Meet It.-.Protest by
Agoncillo.


expectation that the insurgents are
about to force an issue. Manila, not
lloilo, is regarded as the danger point
| just now.
Madrid, Jan. 25.-A dispatch from
Hong Kong says letter received from
the Philippine islands under date OF
january 20 announces that the rup=
ture between the Filipinos and the
Americans is an accomplished fact,
and that the lives of the Spaniards in
the archipelago are endangered,
Protest by Agoncillo.
Washington. Jan. 25.-Senor Lopez,
secretary to Agoncillo, the Washing
ton representative of Aguinaldo,
called at the state department Yester=
day afternoon and lodged with the
chief clerk a communication, which,
according to the common expectation,
marked the critical stage I'M the Philip
pine question. This is the third at
tempt made by the Filipino rcpresen=
tativcs to secure official recognition
from the United States government.
Secretary Hay. at the time the com
munication was presented was attend
ing a meeting of the cabinet at tho
white house, so that all that Chief
Clerk Michael could do under the cir
cumstances was to receive the paper
as he would any other paper handed
i'm to him.
In his communication to the secre-
tary of state Senior Agoncillo calls at
tention to the fact that on january IL
he addressed 10 him a letter upon the
question of recognition and invited the
Mt f,f 1,o tn, f1n
ent strained conditions at Manila,
create a condition resulting in griev-
sity of an early and frank communica-
ton between the representatives of
the two countries.
He now desires to call the attention
ct the secretary to certain conditions,
which, in his opinion, require immedi-
ate alienation.
There are, he says, at the present
time 10000 American troops at Manila
controlling population of about 3oo,-
GOO. The actual possession of the
American troops extends over not to
exceed 143 square miles out of more
than 100000.
Despite the enormous forces now in
this extremely circumscrihed area,
1--WE are informed through the public
prints that other vessels of war have
been ordered from distant parts of the
globe to reinforce those now among
the islands i'm question, while few
days ago transport sailed from New
York city carrying about 1000 soldiers
and having Manila as its destination,
and as we are further informed regi-
mcnts of troops are under orders to
proceed by way of San Francisco to
the Philippines"
After calling attention to the rein
forcements of men and warships NOW
about to leave for Manila he says that
it is naturally the impression of his
government and people that the war;
like preparations Indicate existing or
immediate military operations against
the existing government of the Phil
ippines.
Spain Had No Title.
The United States, he says, has no
active enemy in the orient, having
proclaimed an armistice with Spain
1t is true, he continues, that Spain
has undertaken to convey to the Unit
cd States it's alleged claim against the
Philippines, claim which Spain was
not capable of enforcing, and which
never found its origin in the consent
of the people of those islands. He in
| quires:
Are my government and people to
be left to suppose that it is because of
some desire on the part of the Ameri-
can government to enforce against it's
late associate this exploded claim that
the United States is nassing it's forces
at the late capital of the Philippine
islands,"
lie points out that the Philippine
islands are in state of order, posses
sing government satisfactory to their
inhabitants, and without an enemy
within their borders offering any re-
sistance to its operations, and are at
peace with all the world.
He is sure that the secretary of state
will appreciate, in view of the circum-
stances detailed, the quoting, reas-
surfing effect upon the minds of his
countrymen, to result from disclaim-
er upon the part of the American gov
eminent of any intention to attack
their liberties and independence.
Continuing, he says that notwith-
standing the difficulty he labors under
in not having been received, he believes
1T his imperative duty to call the atten-
ton of the secretary to the disturbing
facts enumerated, to the end that he
may receive such assurances as will
satisfy his government that it is not
the intention of America to make wal
upon the new republic of Asia, and
which will explain to it the reason why
large armies and navies should be dis
patched to the Philippine islands, and
which will relieve his countrymen OF
the fear that now possesses them, that
their liberties are in danger at the
hands of the republic whose name
they have always believed was associ.
ated with freedom and to which they
first came for recognition.
He expresses his gratitude to Amer.
lea for services rendered, and hopes
that friendly relations may continue
and urges the Importance of an imme.
date answer.
Vetoed Annexation. !.
Hong Kong, Jan. 26.-The members
OF the Filipino junta here have issued
the following statement:
The purchase by the American au.
thorities at Hong Kong of number oi
DOUBLE MURDER ON A RANCH