Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-10-02
FILIPINO ENJOYS
Ask Impossible Conditions
OF Otis.
WILL BE NO RECOGNITION
Of the Republic But the General is
Ready to Treat With Aguinaldo as
Head of the Insurgent Forces
Throngs of Natives.

III ~ +"
had an hours conference with General
IOtis this morning. They brought from
Aguinaldo a message that he desired
peace and wished to send a civilian gov
ornamental commission to discuss the
question. General Otis replied that 1t
was impossible for him to recognize
Aguinaldo's government in that way.
They presented a letter from A~guinaldo
as president of the republic which
was largely a REPETITION of his recent
iappeals for recognition. General Otis
informed them that while he was willing
to correspond with Aguinaldo as general
of the insurgent forces, ne must posi-
lively decline to recognize him as pres
ident of the civil government.
Another conference will be held to-
morrow. The Filipinos will remain two
or three days. Their movements are
unrestricted, but they remain under the
constant chaperonage of Captain john
son of the Sixteenth infantry. Today
they visited the hospitals and distribute
ed money among the wounded Filipinos,
after which they made calls and receiv-
ed visitors at their hotels. Natives in
their Sunday clothing thronged the
plaza in front of the hotel all day
stretching their necks towards the VIM
doWs for a glimpse OF the snowy uni
forms of the ENJOYS. The assemblage
finally increased to a thousand people.
When the ENJOYS emerged for an after
noon drive the natives removed their
hats deferentially and a crowd in We
hicles and on foot followed the carriage
through the streets.
I'VE desire peace, but peace with in
dependence and honor" said General
Alejandrinos to-day. while conVe;'sing
with a representative of the Associated
Press. He imDresses one as dignified
and dispassiOnate and a keen man OF
the world. He was educated in Europe
and designed the remarkable entrench-
ments from Manila to Tarlac. While
reticent concerning his mission. his
conversation throws an interesting light
attitude.
How long can the Filipino army and
people withstand $1,000 American
troops?' asked the representatives. #
the Associated Press.
"Fighting in our way. we can main
tain a state of war and the necessity
of a large army of occupation indefi-
nitely. You Americans are holding a
few miles around Manila, Il narrow line
of railroad to Angeles and a circle of
country around San Fernando. But you
are ignorant of the resources of Luzon.
We hold the rich, immense, productive.
northern country from which to draw.
Our people provide money and food for
our support and it is done at a mimi
mum cost.
1T is an interesting question what
the cost to the American people is of
maintaining troops in the Philippines.
We do not of curse know. but it must
be excessive. l perceive what an Ai.:vr-
lean soldier requires in this climate.
On the other hand. a Filipino exists
with a handful of rice and Il pair OF
linen trousers. We do not have to pay
our soldiers and can practically hold
up their wages as long as we desire.
Even without our present supply OF
arms and ammunition We could KEEP
your army occupied for years. Will
an expense that grows daily. how long
will our people tan it? The Filipino
people do not wish to continue the
fighting. We have no army contractors
We have no business men making pro
fit from the maintenance of our army
There is nothing in it for us. nor are
our salaries large enough to keep us
fighting for money and position"
Discussing the question OF a reccgni-
ton by the United States of the so.
called Filipino government, Genera
I~AlejandrinOs said: THE freedom of thu
American prisoners who have just beer
turned over to you was decreed by the
Filipino congress. Your government
has accepted them. 1t Will doubtless
accept any Others that ou- government
lmay free