The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-07-15
Aguinaldo Says Autonomy Is "Al
Show Of Deceit.

Show Of Deceit.
A copy Of the Filipino newspaper
Independence. which has just reacheu
Manila, contains a speech which Ag'
uinaldo made at the recent celebration
at TaTlac on the anniversary Of the
Proclamation of Filipino Independence
In substance it is as follows:
"Filipina, beloved daughter Of the
ardent sun Of the topics, commended
by Providence 20 the care Of noble
Spain, but not ungrateful to her salute
who warmed thee with the breath q
her own culture and civilization. II
is true she sought to crush thy aspri-
rations for Independence, ~ IA loving
mother opposes separation forever from
the daughter Of her bosom This but
proves the excess Of affection and love
Spain feels for thee.
"Filipina Delicate flower Of the
East, scarcely eight months weaned
from the breast Of thy mother, thou
hast dared to brave great and power
full nation such "a the United States
after barely organizing and discipin'
ing thy little army. Yet we reply, we
will be slaves TO none, nor allow our
selves to be deceived by soft words.
Let rs continue to defend our father
land until independence is assured, Tor
this is Justice.
1--WE shall see at last that the great
American nation will acknowledge the
right which is on our side. The doc
trine Of the great Monroe. that Amerl-
ca is FOR Americans is not forgotten,
lust as we affirm that the Philippines
are for the FilipinOs. Some states u
the American Union have arisen IN
our favor. Especially in the Demo-
cratic party convinced that both yictors
aud vanquished will lose precious lives.
Ihus many OF the people and many
statesmen censure President Mckinley
as inhuman for having ordered his
military representative at Manila u
seek means to bring about hostillties
with the Fllipinos.
These facts prove that they wished
10 try Us to see if we were able TO live
up 10 the second color Of our banner
red-which signifies courage, heroism.
and martyrdom Therefore, we should
not resent this struggle with the Amer
leans, In spite of their expressed de-
sire to dominate oil the Philippines,
we'll convinced are they that we fight
with Justice and right on our side. and
that autonomy is all a show Ct deceit.
only serving 70 save certain accumu'
lated wealth We have never conceal
ed our aspirations. that wea'plre but to
Independence; that we will struggle on
10 obtain it. perhaps from those who are
now our enemies and tomorrow will be
our allies, as they were for the overthrow
Of the power Of Spain.
1--WE might well accept the autonomy
America offers. but what can we dc
with IT if our ambition is for indepen
dence and if we are u accept it only
TO overthrow later by force Of arms the
sovereignty of America? AS | beliey
it is the in..ston,,on OF the a6tdn0nflst
/ TO make use Of treachery and de
ceit. we cannot accept such a proce
dure. We do not wish to be traitor
aftergard. We wish to show our charc
ter Of frankness and sincerity an'
nothing more.
Let us avoid the example OF these
natives who having at one time beer
colonists accepted autonomy to enable
them TO make their work surer once
everything was prepared History ha
given us an example of this in recen
events Let us persist in our idea
which is the only Legitimate and noble
aspiration Of people desi rous at a.
cost TO preserve, its national homo
spotless and pure as crystal. Thus
then. there will not be single Fill
pino autonomist. Those who are 81
are, in the eyes of the people, but time
servers, fearful of losing their riches
threatened by risks Of war.
'Filipinos, let US be constant J lie
us strengthen the bonds of our union :
Aguinaldo concluded by calling TO
cheers for independence for the unio
of the Filipinos and for the liberatinI
| army.