Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-01-31

washington, January SO.-SlXto LO-
peg, Secretary to Agoncillo, the Philip
pine representative here, called at the
State Department about 8 o'clock this
afternoon and left with the chief clerk
another communication addressed to
the Secretary of State, protesting
against the attitude of our government
towards the Filipino Republic"
The terms of the protest do not go
as far as an ultimatum. The same fate
awaits this communication as that
which befell its predecessors will be
automatically ignored.
Accompanying the communication is
a long memorial addressed to the Sem
ate containing a comprehensive argu-
ment in opposition to the ratification OF
the treaty and which the envoy asks
the President to send to that body. The
letter of t~ransmittal contains more
than the mere request, but Agoncillo
feels that he is bound by courtesy not
to make it public until an opportunity
Is had by the State Department officials
to make a reply.
The memorial to the Senate is a long
document, both historical and argu-
mentative in character, and is a protest
that this government has no jurisdic-
ton, natural or acquired, through any
of its agencies to ~adjudicate in any
manner upon the rights OF the Philip
pine country and its people. He refers
to the historical fact that a large
number of my countrymen have never
been subdued by Spanish power and as
against their liberties, the oppressive
arm of Spain has never been able to
sustain itself: that the remainder, be-
cause of their adhesion to the cause of
liberty, have been in almost constant
insurrection against the government OF
Spain; these conflicts existing contin-
uously with greater or less fury for the
past hundred years
The impression, he continues, has
been created in America that at the
time Of the declaration of war between
America and Spain the Philippine revo-
luton no longer existed. He quotes
from communications from Consul Gem
eral Williams at Manila and Mr.. Pratt,
as a result of which Agoncillo says
that without additional authority it
must be evident to your honorable
body that an extensive revolution eX-
listed in the Philippine islands at the
time of the declaration of war by
America against Spain"
The purpose OF the Filipino patriot
in conducting this revolution was, it ia
asserted, to secure the complete indie
pendence OF their country, and in this
effort they received the encourage
ment of the United States and were
never informed that the obtaining and
preservation of such independence
would be regarded as a hostile act by
America, and they lever believed that
their struggle in such a cause would
lead to enormous -aggregations Of
American armies and navies at their
doors.
Additional historical facts are here
presented and quotations made from
manifestos of the Eflipinos and from
other documents, from which, says the
envoy, it must appear that the Phil
ippine nation had achieved its indie
pendence free from any danger Of los
ing it at the hands Of the Spaniards
prior W to the signing of the proto-
col"
Spain having been driven away from
the islands and the inhabitants hav-
ing established a government satisfac-
tory to themselves and maintaining or
der throughout the territories. what
justification, Agoncillo asks, can any
other nation advance for interfering
with his country or refusing to extend
toward it the obligations of interna-
tional laws? Could Spain, he asks,
give to any nation a better right than
she possessed? She could not confer
possession, for she did not enjoy it, and
any former right Of possession claimed
by her had been extinguished by the
destruction Of her sovereignty.
Bearing on the discussion Of this
question whether the American gov
eminent can acquire right to the Phil
GppEnes from Spain by treaty, the
memorial calls attention to "srveral
notable and exact American precedent"
and Agoncillo says he could ask for
his country mo better fortune han to
have the Republic of America, as at
present constituted, adhere to the
teachings of international law as laid
down by some Of its founders"
Senior Agoncillo, in conclusion, sum-
married the various reasons set out in
detail why the treaty should not be
ratified and expresses an earnest hope
that the representations he has ven-
tured TO make will receive the grave
consideration Of the Senate before final
action is taken upon the treaty which
contains so much of consequence to his
people.