Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1899-01-26


until the treaty is ratified the United
States has not vested right in the arch
ipeiago and no legal authority over its
inhabitants.
Under the conditions as they now
exist the United States is powerless to
prevent the recognition of the insurg-
ents by European Powers, an act that
is feared may occur at any moment.
With the ratification of the treaty
however, United States sovereignty
would instantly become supreme in the
eyes of the world.
General Otis, in his latest dispatch
to the War Department, shows him
self alive to the urgent necessity of
ratification in order that further COM
plications may be avoided. He does
not believe the natives will precipitate
general attack, and If they do, he is
confident of whipping them, but he
does not conceal that individual Fill
pinos are growing more threatening
every day and stop at nothing in their
efforts to provoke the American out
posts to commit the first actual breach
of the peace. Thetension is now de-
clared to have approached dangerously
near the swapping point with the lues-
ton of war or reace with the Fill
pinos hanging in the balance.
There is no longer any concealment
in Administration circles of the criti-
cal condition of affairs in the Philip
pines. General Ohs's reports are far
from encouraging, and describe the
menacing attitude which Auginaldo
and his followers have assumed. An
epidemic of smallpox among General
Miller's forces is also feared. Several
cases, it is stated, have already ap-
peared.
Another danger is the recognition of
the Philippine Republic by the foreign
governments, especially Germany and
Spain.
In view of this, it may be said that a
crisis has been reached.
The document filed with the State
Department yesterday by a member of
The Philippine Junta, while not in the
nature of an ulCimatum, as reported
yesterday, is defiant in tone. In it
Senor Agoncillo points out the crit
,cal condition of affairs at Manila and
tloilo, where over zeal on either side
might cause a grevious loss of life
lrges the necessity of an early and
rank communication between the rep
'esentatives of the two countries and
asks for the recognition for this pur-
pose, of the commission sent over by
Aguinaldo, of which Agoncillo is the
lead.
The paper then points out the
.trength of the American forces in the
and says: Despite this |
enormous force now in an extremely |
area, we are informed |
'ther vessels OF war and soldiers have
,aen ordered forward as reinforce
nents. The public prints inform us al
o tnat an attack is contemplated upon
he Philippine Islands, the islands to
,e take min detail the smaller ones
Irst, the larger ones blockaded so
hat they may not assist those first
lockaded."
Agoncillo says that it is naturally
he impression of his government and
eOple that these warlike preparations
Indicate existing or immediate mill
ary operations in the Orient, and they
eadily conceive that it must be con-
emplated that such operations are to
e leveled at the existing government
f the philippine Islands.
"As the representative of the Philip
inc government" he continues, 81
estate to give adhesion to this idea,
)r l can not believe that there is any
resent or future difficulty between the
merlcan and Philippine govern
Nh'' JuStiSih5 WdillhS dCllNlllSSi |
nd as believer in the humanity of
he American people, refuse to ac-
llesce in the idea that America de-
gns war upon the Philippine Islands.
He points out that but lately the
nited States and the Philippine gov
nments have driven out a common
lemy, thus realizing the desire of the
lipinos for the establishment of ,
public. The United States, he says,
IS no active enemy in the Orient,
wing proclaimed an armistlce with /,
pain. .
1T is true" he continues, that Spain
IS undertaken TO convey to the Unit
States its alleged claims against the
claim which Spain was a
Vt capable of enforcing, and which @
'ver found its origin in the consent (
the people of those islands. +
Are my government and people to
left to suppose" he inquiries, that
is because of some desire on the part c
the American government to en- n
rec against its late associates this t
plOded claim that the United States e
masslng its forces at the late capital n
the Philippine Islands?" o
After expressing his gratitude to II
nerica for services rendered and = !,
ping that the friendly relations may p