The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-17
BOUTWELL, CRATES
Comes Forward in
the Defence Of
Atkinson.
AGUINALDO.
Denies That Anti-Imperial-
lists Have Sent Pamph-
lets to Philippines.

Boston, May ia conference of
well-known members of the Anti-Im-
perialist League was held at Young's
Hotel this afternoon. Although the at
tendance was not large, the enthusi-
asm was marked. The event of the
meeting was the strong address deliv-
cred by ex-Gov. Boutwell,, president of
the i-Imperialist League, in which
he upheld the position of Aguinaldo
and answered Secretary of the Navy
John d. Long.
Hon. Winslow Warren presided, and
after the secretary had read a number
Of letters commencing the cause, ex-
Gov. Boutwell, was introduced. Be
fore reading his paper he said that
the first part Of what he was about to
say had been submitted to the execu-
| tive committee Of the league and had
been approved by it's members, so that
lin some sense it might be taken as the
Voice of the Anti-Imperialist League.
He said in part:
$50 much has been said, sometimes by
linsinuation in the columns of imperial
iistic newspapers and sometimes by di-
lists, and especially the Anti-Imperial-
list League, with improper dealings
with the army in the Philippines, that
some notice may be taken by one who,
within certain limits, is authorized to
speak for the league.
keeping within those limits, I pro-
lceel to say that the Anti-Imperialist
League has never authorized the trans
mission of any communication, nor
Whatever, to any officer or soldier of
the army of the United States, now or
heretofore employed in the Philippine
Islands. l may say Of the league that
Its limited means can be used more
Wisely within the United States, where
the demand for anti-imperialistic lit
erature appears to be inexhaustible
Moreover, we are Of the opinion that
the soldiers Of the Philippine army will
return to America with fixed opinions
in regard to the wisdom and justice Of
the Philippinean war, derived from an
Experience of more value to them than
any observations that we might make
or any recommendations that may be
found in the literature that we are
sending forth. If their opinions are
hostile to our policy, nothing of effort
on our part would work a change; and
lif on the other hand, the soldiers are
VI Op1ulOIl lIldl the wal Is uulGCeS-
sary, unjust cruel, criminal in a pub
/ lie sense, then are they already with
us, and without any effort by the
league. The administration and its
supporters may dismiss their fears as
to any attempt on our part to influence
the army.
1T is, however, our purpose, and in
this purpose we canot be frustrated
nor delayed, to bring the army out of
the Philippines by the quiet influence of
the American people at home, acting
through the ordinary channels of inter-
course and communication; but, failing
in that effort, as fail we may, then we
propose to so act as to summon the
army from the Philippines by the au-
thority of the votes of the Am arican
people, and without thought of the con-
sequences to men, to administrations, TO
political parties or to questions Of do
nestle concern.
ut is not in our line of duty. Of policy
or of purpose to exalt Aguinaldo. Upon
the evidence at our command, he seems
to be worthy of confidence and respect.
Much of the evidence has been fur
nished by Admiral Dewey, by officers
of the army, and by other officials who
have been employed in the east.
1.-The information that has been gath
cred in the 70 months that have passed
since Dewey entered the bay of Manila
warrants the opinion that the inhabi-
tants of Luzon, under the lead of Agiui-
lnaldo and his assistants are capable OF
Iself-goVernment.