Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-03-09
THEIR CHANCES
ARE INJURED
The Filipinos Made a Very
Bad Break
WHEN STARTING A FIGHT
administer Barret Speaks OF the
Conditions in the Islands,
Must Trust the U. S.
WHEN STARTING A FIGHT

Hong Kong, Feb. s, via San Francisco,
March 9.-In an interview with the AS
sociated Press correspondent John Bar
rett, late United States minister to Siam,
who is passing through Hong Kong en-
route home, said:
This collision of forces at Manila is the
most disastrous thing that could have
happened to the Filipino cause of inde-
pendence and they themselves, that is
the leading representatives OF Agulnaldo
here and the so-called junta, realize 1t
and cannot at the moment understand 1t.
They have come to me almost with tears
in their eyes asking for details of the con-
flict and seeking some legitimate excuse
and explanation for the reported begin
ming of the fray by the natives. Tele-
grams have been pouring in on them
from their agents in America and Europe
asking for the Filipino side OF the story,
but they are unable to answer and cannot
communicate with Aguinaldo OF the IN
surgent government
"Only a few days ago they assured me
that their leaders would not allow any
attack to be begun upon the American
forces and would even avoid threaten
| ing attitude rather than shoulder the re-
sponsibility of a conflict. They asked me
to so inform my friends in congress to
this effect as we'll as to write to Ad-
miral Dewey and Gen. Otis.
''Therefore, when / asked the local
| leaders to give reasons for the outpfeak
| thew stated with great earnestness that 1t
must have been due Gf begun by the ma
| tives, which they do not like to acknowl :
edge) to the momentaly influence OF the
war party or most radical element and
that Aguinaldo himself could not have
| favored or supported the action OF the
Filipino troops. The long continuance
| of the fighting, they say, would pc ac-
counted for by the masses of Filipino sol
diers practically being beyond all control
Of officers after the battle had really be
| gun and being inspired with the bhnd
/ hope of driving the Ame|lcan soldiers
| into Manila as they had formerly the
! Spanards.
| Nov that the treaty is ratified right
after their reckless opening of hostlllties,
! the Filipino leaders are almost dumb
founded and are completely at a loss as
! to the future policy. They candidly ad-
NIT that the worst blow possible mas
been struck at their prospects. one even
| confessed to me that the very best thlnG
thev could now do was to disbandj dis
arm and quietly yield to American con-
| trcl trusting that full justice would
eventually be done them. AS he is a
man of high standing, I hope his influ-
ence may count with Aguinaldo and ms
followers. The Filipino leaders have al
| ways been klnQly ulSppStu ~ Hle anu
! frank in their discussions. because | knew
| them here and in the Philippines, and
| when they have talked over matters with
ne | have invariably counseled them to
accept American jurisdiction pending q
| necessary investigation of what would
| be the best kind of government for the
| islands and to remain confident that the
| president and people of the United States
| would see that justice was done them.
! After my address delivered few
days ago on the Philippine situation at
| the request of the leading men Of Hong
| Kong and at which many Fillplnos We're
present some of these came to me ant!
| a ss11red me that they would accept my
advice to keep calm and patiently await
! results of the Philippine commissioners
| investigation. Now they say their ln11u-
ence was poWerleSs to stay the radical
element at Manila and the restlessness of
| their army.
| II have always had much sympathy
| for the Filipinos and regarded them as
| comparing most favorably with the Ash
attic natives, hoping that with guidance
| and control of our American government
| they would solve at least an autonomous
| government that would relieve us of the
| great responsibilities and difficulties of
! direct government and | am still hopeful
| that these clouds and storms may be only
temporary and a happy solution of the
| great problem successfully reached