New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-23
APPEAL FROM FILIPINOS.
THE HONG KONG JUNTA SENDS A ME-
MORTAL TO CONGRESS.
RECOGNITION OF THE so-CALLED FILIPINO
REPUBLIC AND INDEPENDENCE OF
THE ISLANDS ASKED.
IPY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.l

THE ISLANDS ASKED
rBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUSE.l
Washington Nov. 22.-The Filipino Junta ut
Hong Kong is becoming more active az the
meeting of Congress draws nearer. This morn
ing Senator Fairbanks. in company with all
other Senators and Representatives now III
Washington. received through the mails a
pamphlet. signed by Felipe Buencamlno tfhihp
Good Road so-calIed Secretary for Foreign At
fairs OF the Filipino Republic, setting forth the
various reasons why his Government should De
recognized The pamphlet has an appendix con-
taining the various dispatches kilograms anu
orders that passed between the United states
representatives in the islands at the time OF the
war with Spain. On these documents senior
Buencamino seeks to raise the presumption that
the Filipino Republic was to receive recognition
from the United States.
The Secretary begins by saying that IL mas
come to the ears Of the Filpino government
that the President OF the United States Is about
to call session of Congress for the special
purpose OF considering the Philippine situation
and that he desires to lay before 1t the reasons
why the independence Of the Islands should pe
recognized He argues that the larger and more
powerful State the greater is the obligation
resting on 1t TO support the independence or
lesser States. For instance. 1t appears evident
that the powerful and wealthy Nation which
you gentlemen represent in Congress has been
deputed by God to assist the Filipinos in their
ardrous and difficult task Of restoration OF indie
pendence" The alleged cooperation offered and
rendered to Aguinaldo by Consuls Wildman and
Pratt is then referred to. This cooperation
says the Secretary, consisted in the fact that
the McCulloch conveyed Agulnaldo to Manila.
that Admiral Dewey received him with the hon
ors due to a general and gave him sixty rifles,
and that he was allowed to establish at Cavite,
then held by the United States the headquarters
OF the republic.
Mr. Pratt In one os his letters appended, con-
graduated Aguinado on his speedy triumph, as
It proves his own wisdom in recommending him
to Admiral Dewey. Consul Wildman in another
letter, advises Agunaldo TO treat the Spanish
as they would have treated the Filipinos and
keep them on rice and water-advice. which, the
Secretary says "our humane leader declined to
adopt"
BLAMEs PRESIDENT MKINLEY.
But the Secretary says that the object Of God
in assigning the United States to free the Fill
pinos has been frustrated. by whom?" he
asks. He then proceeds:
Alas. esteemed citizens Of the great American
Republic, you know well who is the cause of
such reckless perturbations. 1t Is your Presi-
dent, William Mckinley, who using as preteXt
alleged rights obtained through the purchase OF
more than doubtful sovereignty from Spain
gives evidence Of his intention to Ignore the
bonds of friendship which should unite the two
nations by imposing upon us by force or arms
the sovereignty Of the United States. Is this
conduct in line with the canons Of morality
whereby the United States grew great? Surely
not. For If moral obligations are applicable TO
international affairs, there should be no evasion
OF the great Republics duty TO stand by and
protect the Filipino nation. In the name or
Almighty God, OF humanity. and Of National
honor. / appeal to the citizens Of the United
States to fulfil these obligations by passing
just resolution recognizing our independence.
thus ending wicked and inhuman war
The second point is that the FilIpinos capt
ured nine thousand prisoners and set up re-
public and were practically recognized by the
United States officers; that Dewey wrote to
Aguinaldo asking Tor passes for British sub
tects to travel through the islands; that Otis,
Anderson and Merritt all addressed Agunaldo
| as General Commanding the Philippine Army,
| and that General Anderson asked him for camp
| ing grounds and quarters, as we'll as other as
| slstance against "our common enemy; that
| Dewey handed over TO Aguinaldo a complaint
about the French steamer Compania de FIlipinas,
stating that he had no jurisdiction in the mat
ter: that Anderson and Merritt addressed tee
suburbs OF Manila and promising to negotiate
| with him afterward on the subject.
| CEssION OF SOVEREIGNTY DISPUTED.
/ "As for the cession of sovereignty" proceeds
| the Secretary ut Is null and void, for it has
| been celebrated in contraventon Of all princi-
pies OF international law and in opposition to the
| eternal principles Of justice. For 1t is not moral
| nor just nor in accordance with international
| law to say TO a nation, L Will help you to sweep
away Spanish sovereignty and make you indie
pendent and after helping you to do I will
come and buy your sovereignty from Spain and
impose 1t by force of arms on the protected
people"
| Citations are made from international law, and
then It is contended that Spain had lost her
sovereignty, and could not cede what she did
not have.
The third point follows In full:
We are a community Of eight million people
| politically organized we'll defined territory
| with our own government which is competent
| TO protect citizens and to assume full re-
! sponslbility for conduct toward other States
We have official language-Spanish. We
| have enlightened relgon-the Roman Cath
| Ole. Strict morality which emanates from
| Outstanding influences governs our manners
| and customs. Our laws a par with those
| OF other civilized States. And, last we live in
families In towns and cities. afording perma-
nent evidence OF cultured and civilized So
| ciety. These are the reasons why we appeal for
recognition to the people OF the United States.
| who are to decide our fate-a fate which would
| be better. II. needing the dictates OF humanity
your President. Mr. Mckinley had not chosen
TO wage against US a cruel. devastating war.
GENERAL OTIS ON THE SITUATION.
| YOUNG STILL CHASING THE REBEI,
LEADER - LOSSES OF INSURGENTS