New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-01
OTIS FIXES THE BLAME.
FILIPINO LEADERS RESPON.
,SLBLE FOR WAR.
THE AMERICAN COMMANDER DID
EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO AVOID
A CoNFMCT-AGUINALDo
SHAM GOVERNMENT.

Washington, May 3l-rhc Secretary of War
to-day made public the report OF General otis
transmitting the reports OF his subordinate Of
ficers the operations around Manila UP to
April 8. General Otis begins with this state
meht:
These military operations are fairly well pre-
sented In the reports. and / have little TO ada
thereto. but desire particularly TO call attention
to the rise and development OF conditions ana
circumstances which resulted finally In war.
This deem TO be essential In order to correct
the somewhat prevailing impression that the
Government of the United States is responsible
through deceit or wrongful action for the pres
ent existing hostities.
To this end he gives short summary OF the
Filipino insurrection against Spain. laying
stress on the fact that small band OF the
natives OF Luzon, leaders of the rebellion OF
1896, were induced for a monetary consideru-
tion to leave the island. These men returned
to the neghborhood OF Manila after the de-
struction OF the Spanish feet there. being -
General Otis says, encouraged without author
ity to attempt the organization OF what they
were pleased to denominate independent
government for the Filipino people"
EARLY INsURGENT MOVEMENTS.
| General Otis tells of the landing Of Aguinaldo
from an American vessel and Of the insurgents
taking advantage Of the active hostiiitiee be-
tween the United States and Spain to capture
southern points and increase their strength
Independence, General Otis says. was proclaimed
by Ag1iinaldo in August. and early as June
he had warned the United States authorities
against the landing Of It's military forces on
Philippine soil without first obtaining his con-
sent. because. as he expressed It, the Filipino
people might consider the occupation OF Philip
pine territory by North American troops viola
ton of their rights" General Otis adds
When the United States forces landed from
their transports near and to the south OF Manila
for the purpose of attacking the city the fiction
that they were acting as allies Of the insurgents
and in furtherance Of Philippine independence
appears to have been conveyed by ipsurgent
leaders.
He describes Aslinaldo's efforts to strengthen.
his lines In preparation for hostil!ties with tho
United States during this time, and explains
the growth Of the insurgent movement for in
dependence by saying that In the absence OF
Spanish authority many able and conservative
Filipinos gave adherence to this seemingly 40
facto government. Many of them withdrew
their adherence when the radical element de-
clared its hostility to the United States
CORRESPONDENTS WITH AGUINALDO.
Describing briefly the tension that existed at
the time, General Otis includes In explanation
of his course some highly important correspond
ence that passed between himself and Asui-
naldo.
Early In January, when he was asked by ccn-
servative Fflpinos TO appoint a COMMITTEES OF
Army officers to meet an insurgent committee
and effect compromise by which peace might
be maintained General Otis refused TO recognize
an insurgent government, but was willing to
negotiate with AglIinaldo or a commission ar-
! pointed by him.
Aguinaldo's response and General Otise reply
are given In the following extract from the re-
port:
Malolos. January Q. 1899.
Major General E. s. Otis, General Of the Amer1-
can Forces Of Occupation In Manila
General: l have been informed after tne M
tervew between the commissioners OF my gov
ernment and Mr. Carman that there viii be no
inconvenience on your part in naming az com
manding general representatives that VIII conisF
with those whom l will name for the same op-
tect.
Although st not being explained to me the rea-
SON why you could not treat with the comnA(s-
sioners OF my government cave the iacuisy
of doing the same with those Of the command
ing general who cannot be recognized Never
theless for the sake OF peace, have consioefea
II advisable to name as commanding sehel1s
a commission composed OF the Following gentie- :
men Mr. Florentno Flores Ambrosio Flores
and Manuel Argu.eles. that they may together
represent me and arrive at an accord with tnss
whom you will name. with the object Of using
such methods as will normalize the actual SIT
nation created by the attitude OF your Govern
ment and troops.
n YOUR will deign to attend to said commits
sIoners and through these methods come 70
some UNDERSTANDING III only temporary, that
will insure the peace and harmony amongst
ourselves the Philippine public would reacn D
grateful glory
I am yours General. with the highest con-
alteration your most respectful servant,
EMILIO AGUINAIIDo.