Evening star., 1899-06-01
Object of the Philippine Insurgents
Explained. N
CORRESPONDENCE WiPFFH' AGUlNALDo
= e
Gen. Otis Report to the Secretary
Of War.
INCIDENTS OF THE OUTBREAK

report of Major General Macarthur cover
ing the same operations, heretofore pub
lished in The Star. There is a difference,
however, In the treatment of the general
subject
General Otis says he desires to correct
the somewhat prevailing impression that
the government of the United States is re-
sponsible, through deceit or wrongful ac-
ton, for the present existing hostilities. =
General Otis tells of the landing of Aguin-
aldo from an American vessel and of the
insurgents taking advantage of the active
hostilities between the United States and
Spain to capture southern points and in
crease their strength
independence, General Otis says, was pro-
claimed by Aguinaldo in August and as
early as June he had warned the United
States authorities against the landing OF
Its military forces on Philippine soil with
he expressed it, the Philippine people
might consider the occupation Of Philip
pine territory by North American troops a
violation 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 in
surgents and in furtherance of Philippine
independence appears to have been con-
Veyed by insurgent leaders"
General Otis describes Agunaldo's efforts
to strengthen his lines in preparation for
hostiiities with the United States during
this time and explains the growth of the
lnsurgent independent movement.
Early in January. when General Otis was
asked by conservative Filipinos to appoint a
committee OF army officers to meet an insur-
gent committee, by which peace might be
maintained, General Otis refused to rec
ognize any insurgent government, but was
willing to negotiate with Aguinaldo or a
commission appointed by him.
Aguinaldo's Reply.
Aguinaldo's response and General Otis
reply are set out in the following extract
from the report.
Aguinaldo replied to General Otis from
Maioios, January 8, 1899, as follows:
Il have been informed after the interview
between the commissioners of my govern
ment and Mr.. Craman, that there will be no
inconvenience on your part in naming as
commanding general, representatives that
Will confer with those whom 1 will name
for the same object. "
Although it not being explained to me
the reason why you could not treat with
the commissioners of my government, l
have the faculty of doing the same with
those of the commanding general who
cannot be recognized Nevertheless, for
the sake of peace, l have considered it ad-
visable to name as commanding general
commission, composed Of the following gen.
tlemen: Mr.. Florentine Flores Ambrosio
Flores and Manuel Arguieles, that they
may together represent ne and arrive at
name, with the object of using such meth
DDS as will normalize the actual situation
created by the attitude of your government
and troops.
IF you will deign to attend to said COM
missioners and through these methods
come TO some understanding, if only tenn
porary, that will insure the peace and
harmony amongst ourselves, the Philippine
public would reach a grateful glory"
Gen. Otis Answer.
General Otis replied to Aguinaldo the
same day follows:
Il have the honor to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of your communication of today and
am much pleased at the action you have
taken. l greatly regret that you have not
a clear understanding of my position and
motives, and trust that my explanation, as
sisted by the conference | have invited
will make them clear to you.
In my official capacity | am merely the
agent of the United States government to
conduct its affairs under the limits which
Its Constitution, laws, precedents and spe-
clhc instructions prescribe | have NOT the
authority to recognize any national or civil
power not already formally recognized by
my government, unless specially authorized
to do so by the instructions of the executive
of the United States. For this reason | was
unable to receive officially the representa-
tives of the revolutionary government and
endeavOred to make that inability clear to
the distinguished gentlemen with whom |
mad the pleasure to converse q few evenings
since. You will bear witness that my
course throughout my entire official connec-
ton with affairs here has been consistent
and it has panied me that l have not been
able to receive and answer communication
of the cabinet officers of the government at
Malolos, fearing that might be erroneous-
ly charged with lack of courtesy.
Permit me now briefly, general, to speak
OF the serious misunderstanding which ex-
hot fhn N t--F.r
representatives, of the United States gov
ernment, and which | hope that our com
missioners, by a thorough discussion, may
be able to Gispel. | sincerely believe that
all desire peace and harmony, and vet by
the Vaccinations of evil-disposed persons
we have been Influenced to think that ye
occupy the position OF adversaries. The
Philippines appear to be of the opinion that
we mediate attack, while | am under the
strict orders of the President of the United
States to avoid conflict in every Way DOS
sible. My troops, witnessing the earnest
ness the comparatively disturbed and un-
friendly attitude of the revolutionary
troops and many of the citizens of Manila.
conclude that active hostilities have been
determined upon although 1t must be
clearly within the comprehension of un-
pre0udlced and rejecting minds that the
welfare and happiness of the Philippine
people depends upon the friendly protec-
ton of the United States. The hand of
Spain was forced, and she has acknowl-
claim
ed rights in this country have departed bv
due process Of law. This treaty acknowi-
edgment, with the conditions which ac-
company it, awaits ratification by the SEN
ate of the United States, and the action
of its Congress must also be secured be-
fore the executive of that government can
proclaim a definite policy That policy
must conform to the, will of the people
of the United States expressed through its
representatives in Congress. For that
action the Philippine people should wait,
at least, before seYering the existing
friendly relations. I am governed by a de-
sire to further the interests of the Philip
pino people and shalt continue to labor
with that end in view. There shall be no
conflict of forces if ann able to avoid it,
and still L shall endeayorn to maintain q
position to meet all efaeIgencies that may
arise xe 10
Gen. Otis says the negotiations between
the two commissions reached no conclu-
sions, as the tnsurgent members could not
submit any formulated statement which
they were able to mairrtain
Insurgents Became Aggressive.
In the latter part of January the fnsur-
gents became aggressive, interfering with