Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-10-02

TAIN A STATE OF WAR INDEFI-
NITELY-HE WONDERS WHAT
THE COST is TO AMERICA.
GENERAL OTIS DECLINES TO
RECOGNIZE AGUINALDO AS
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC.
A FRUITLESS CONFERENCE.
MANILA, October /, 10 D. m.
Aguinaldo's third attempt to shift his
difficulties into the field of diplomacy
is a repetition OF the other two, with
an impossible endeavor to obtain some
sort of recognition of his so-called gov
eminent.
The Filipino ENJOYS had an hours
conference with Gen. Otis this morn
ing. They brought from Aguinaldo a
message that he desired peace and
wished to send a civilian governmental
commission to discuss the question.
Gen. Otis replied that it was impossible
for him to recognize Aguinaldo's gov
eminent in that way.
They presented a letter from Aguin-
aldo as President of the Republic"
which was largely a repetition of his
recent appeals for recognition. Gen.
Otis informed them that while he was
willing to correspond with Aguinaldo
as general of The insurgent forces. he
must positively decline 10 recognize
him as President of the civil govern
ment.
Anotd2c conference will be held to-
mcrgow The Filipinos will remain
two or three days. Their movements
are quite unrestricted, but they are
under the constant chaperonage of
Captain Johnson, of the Sixteenth in
fantry. To-day they visited the hos
pitfalls and distributed money among
the wounded Filipinos, after which
they made calls and received visitors
at their hotel.
Natives in their Sunday clothing
thronged the plaza in front Of the ho-
tel all day, stretching their necks tow
ards the windows for a glimpse of the
snowy uniforms of the ENJOYS The
assemblage finally increased TO a thous-
and people. When the ENJOYS emerged
for an afternoon drive the natives re-
moved their hats ~deferentially. and a
crowd in vehicles or on foot followed
the carriage through the streets.
I'VE desired peace, but peace with in
dependence and honor said Gen. Ale
jandrin to-day, while conversing with
a representative Of the Associated
Press. He impresses n as dignified
and dispassionate and as a keen man
of the world. He was educated in Eu-
rope and designed the remarkable en-
trenehments from Manila to Tarlac.
While r%eticent concerning his mission,
his conversation throws an interesting
light on the Filipino view OF the Amer
lean attitude.
How long can the Filipino army and
people withstand sixty thousand
American troops?" asked the represen-
tative of the Associated Press.
Fighting in our way, we can main
tain a state of war and the necessity
for a large army OF occupation indefi-
nitely. You Americans are holding a
few miles around Manila, a 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 immense. rich,
productive northern country from
which to draw. Our people contribute
the money and food which maintain
our army, and this is done at a mini
mum cost.
1T is an interesting question what
the cost to the American people is OF
maintaining the American troops in the
Philippines. We do not, Of course.
know the amount, but it must be ex-
c~essive. We perceive what an Amerf.
can soldier requires in this climate.
On the other hand. a Filipino exists
with a handful OF rice and a 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 u present supply Of
arms and ammunition We could keep
your army occupied for years.
with an expense that grows daily,
how long will your people stand 1t?
The Filipino people do not wish to con-
tinue the fighting. We have no army
contractors. We have no business
men making profits from the mainten-
ance of our army. There Is nothing in
it for Us, nor are our salaries large
enough to keep fighting for money and
position"
Discussing the question OF recogni.
ton by the United States Of the social
ed Filipino government, Gen. Alejand-
rine said:
THE freedom Of the American pris-
oners who have just been turned over
TO you was decreed by the Filipino Con-
gress. Your government has accepted
them. 1t will doubtless accept n 9TH
ers that our government may free"
He inquired concerning the per-