The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-10-03

Manila. Oct. 10 p. m.-Aguinaldo' =
third attempt 20 shift his difficulties into
The felE of diplomacy is a repetition Of
tho other one or two. With an impossible
erdoa.0r % obtain some sort CT recogni-
ton o. his sO-caI!ed government Tne
Filipino ENJOYS had an hours conference
with Gen. Otis this morning They
brought from Agu.naldo a message that
he desired peace and wished to send a
civilian governmental commission 10 dis
cuss the question. Gen. Otis replied that
Il was impossible for him 10 recognize
Agu.nsldo's government in that way.
They presented letter from Aguinaldo,
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 10 correspond
with AEginaIdO as general Of the insUr-
gent forces, he must positively decline 10
recognize him as president Of the civil
government
Another conference viii be held to-
morrow, The FIlipinOs viii remain two
or three days. Their movements are
quite unrestricted. but they are under the
constant chapcrOnage of Capt Johnson.
OF the Sixteenth Infantry. To-day they
visited the hospitals and distributed mon
cy among the wounded FIlipinos, after
which they made calls and received visit
Ors at their hotel.
Thouss nj Natives her.
Natives in their Sunday clothing throng-
ed the plaza in front OF the hotel all
day stretching their necks toward the
windows for a glimpse Of the SNOWY uni
forms of the ENJOYS. The assemblage
finally increased 10 a thousand people
When the ENJOYS emerged for an after
noon drive, the natives removed their
hats deferentially, and a crowd, in vehi.
cles or on foot followed the carriages
through the streets.
Eve desired peace. but peace with In.
dependence and honor" said Gen. Ale.
jandrinO to-day, while conversing with a
representative Of the Associated Press
He impTeSses one as dignifed, as dis
passionate, and as a keen man Of IN,
world. He vas educated in Europe anC
designed the remarkable entrenchment:
from Manila TO TaTlac. While reticent
concerning his mission, his conversation
throws interesting light on the Fill
pino view OF the American attitude.
How long can the Filipino army and
people Withstand GG.O10 American troOps %
asked the representative OF the Asso
ciated Press.
Can Resist Indefinitely.
Fighting in our way we can maintain
a state Of war and the necessity for z
large army OF occupation indefinitely. Yol
Americans are holding few miles arounC
Manila, a narrow line of railroad 10 An.
geles and a circle of country around Sar
Fernando. But you are ignorant of The
resources of LUZOn. We hold the i'm
mense rich, productive northern coun
Try from which TO draw. Our people con
tribute the money and food which main
tain our army, and this is done at Z
minimum Of cost.
'lt is an interesting question what tn,
cost TO the American people is OF main
tanning the American troops In the Phil
ippln.s- We do not, OF course, know tn
amount, but it must be excessive. w
perceive what an American soldier re
quires In this climate. On the othe
ha.I. a Filipino exists with a handful
OF rice and a pair Of linen trousers. w
do not have 10 pay our soldiers, and cal
practically hold up their wages as Ions
"a We desire. Even without our presen
supply - arms and ammunition We cOull
Keep your army occupied for years.
A Diplomats Contention.
''With an expense that grows daily
how long will your people stand It? Tn
Filipino people do not wish TO continu
the fighting. We have no army contrac
tors. We have no business men making
profits from the maintenance OF ou
army There IS nothing in 1t for us. no
are our salaries large enough to keep u
fighting for money and position"
Discussing the question OF a recognition
by the United States of the so-called Fill
p!no government Gen. AlejandrinO said:
"'The freedom Of the American prisoner
who have just been turned over to yol
was decrced by the Filipino congress
Your government has accepted them, /
win doubtless accept any others that on
government may free"
He inquired concerning the percentag
OF sick American troops and when in
formed said he considered It small. H
asked a number of questions, indicating
hope Of anti-imperialist action by tn
United States Congress, and inquire
what would be the effect on the nati0na
policy II Congress should declare itsel
opposed 10 the prosecution Of the wal
and whether anti-imperialist sentimen
was growing in the United States
Several inquiries he made also regard
ing the nature and effect Of q joint reSC
luton OF Congress.
MUST SURRENDER FIRST.