Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-01-26
PHILIPPINE AFFAIRS.
The Revolutionists Have a Regular
Form Of Government.
EFFORTS TO OBTAIN RECOGNITION.
AEoOcillo Well Treated Informally Ut
Washington, but 1t Ia Said He VIII Not
BE Recognized O6icisily - the
Filipino Representative

ger yeSNrudy dIternOOn Salu tudt WHlle
he would be pleased to hear that the
Filipinos had liberated the Spanish
prisoners held by them, he had no Of
fetal information to confirm the state
ment to that effect coming from Mad
rid. Gen. Otis has been cabled for &C.
curate information respecting the
number OF these prisoners, but so far
he has not given the information. The
government is pledged to endeavor to
secure their release, and it will use
every proper effort to do so, but it can
not be held to the performance OF the
impossible, and must be allowed its
own time and the use of what 1t deems
the best means to accomplish the task.
The officials here are not moved by
the reported threat of the Filipino
junta in Europe to withdraw Agoncillo
and his fellows from Washington If
they are not speedily recognized Off
cially. While Agoncillo has been we'll
treated informally, he has not been
recognized by the government and it
may be stated positively that he will
not be- The Filipino representatives
here are not prepared at this time to.
state when their efforts to obtain rec.
ognition for the Aguinaldo govern
ment are to cease. This is question,
they say, which will depend entirely
upon circumstances that may develop
as a result of their attempt to be dip.
lomatically received here and the &C.
ton of the peace treaty.
Senior Agoncllo, the chief agent of
Apuinaldo, said last night that the re.
ports he had received from his govern
ment showed no change in the condi-
ton of affairs in the islands, and there
was no particular news to commun.
cate The revoutionists have regu-
lar form of government and are carry
ing cut it's functions. He and his asso-
ciates here would use every proper
effort to obtain recognition for them,
and he hoped those would be crowned
with success. Up to this time, how
ever, no reply had come from the state
department to their letters asking for
the recognition desired.
Senior Agoncillo evidently discred-
tied the reports that he would be re-
called to Manila in few days If his
efforts were unsuccessful, as he stated
that there had been no word from
Aguinaldo to return home. The envoy
made it very clear that the Filipinos
would not provoke hostilities with the
United States but that every attempt
would be made to reach peaceful So
luton of the existing difficulties
Mr. Ralston, one of the attorneys
who has been engaged by the ENJOYS
as counsel, said in an interview that
the Filipinos have come here to do all
they can to secure their recognition as
a nation. Their case, he declared, is
a good one, as the Filipino govern
ment has won for itself the practical
control of all the Philippine islands.
Mr.. Ralston said the Filipinos want
independence and they would be pre-
pared to defend it against any other
power, which would find them as
difficult to subdue as would the |
United States. The ENJOYS" he |
stated, ''are here not to form
q junta, not as agitators, not to
prevent ratification of the treaty, but |
as diplomatic representatives of their
government The natives do not favor
and only certain class in
Manila desire it. Even those are less
than they were six months ago The
delegates are here to secure the recog-
milton of absolute independence and
less will not satisfy them. Within
week they will be able to make an
official statement as to their claims
and policy"