The record-union., 1899-02-19

ticable to crafty. This Government
has known the Philippine insurgents
only as disconnected and rebeliious
subjects of Spain, and is not acqualnt-
ed with their purposes. While their
contest with that Power has been
matter of public notoriety, they have
neither asked nor received from tins
Government any recognition. The
United States in entering upon the
occupation of the Islands, as the re-
suit of it's military operations in that
quarter, will do so in the exercise OF
the rights which the state of war con-
fers, and will expect from the inhap-
itants, without regard to their former
attitude toward the Spanish Govern
ment, that obedience which will be law
fully due from them.
This was dated just one month after
Aguinaldo sailed from Hongkong.
Mr.. Pratt replied that he gave no
promises to Aguinaldo and distinctly
told him that all that was wanted OF
him was his personal assistance against
Spain to be rendered by advising with
respondence or any of the reports a line
on that subject that does not make
this clear. The same position was con-
stantly maintained before the Filipino
Juntas at Singapore and at Hongkong.
One dispatch and letter show that
Agoncillo did strive to have Consul
Wild1nan open negotiations for the
purpose of forming an alliance between
the rebels and the United States, but 1t
was promptly refused. Secretary Day
informed Mr.. Pratt that if in any re-
spect Aguinaldo was led to believe that
the United States would aid him in his
plans or in any way recognize any
political claims he might prefer such
act was unauthorized and void.
Later in a letter to General Anderson.
dated July oath, the rebel leader said:
81 came from Hongkong to prevent my
countrymen from making common
cause with the Spanish against the
North Americans, pledging my word to
Admiral Dewey not to allow any in
ternal discord, because, being a judge
of their desires, had the strong con-
viction that 1 would succeed in both
objects, establishing a government ac-
cording to their Desires
Further on he says to General An
derson: Il consider it my duty to adj
wise you of the undesirability of disem-
barking North American troops in the
places conquered by the Filipinos from
the Spanish without previous notice to
this Government. BECAUSE AS NO
FORMAL AGREEMENT YET EXISTS
BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS, the
Philippine people might consider the oc-
cupation of it's territories by North
rights
Thus it will be seen that Aguinaldo
was an obstructionist, and refused to
recognize that we were at war with
Spain for any other reason than tc
serve his, Aguinaldo's, ends. So. too,
since the conclusion of hostilities in
Cuba and Porto Rico, he has refused
blindly and almost insanely, to recog-
nize that an armistice was in effect:
that the United States and Spain were
negotiating peace under the terms Of
a protocol that had been signed and
was binding upon us, so that we could
NOT assault the Spanish further, nor
could any steps be taken such as he
wished, one of which disclosed in the
correSpoudauca uac fo accou Manila
and open its gates to the Filipinos to do
as they saw fit with the town.
This then is established: First, we
not only promised Aguinaldo nothing,
that his people were more mildly and
justly treated, but we distinctly refused
to form an alliance with him, CT pledge
ourselves to recognize the so-called
Filipino Government. Second, pending
negotiations for peace with Spain while
we were in a position making it i'm
possible for. US to make assault Agui-
naldo's men brought on a conflict by
entrenching against us and finally by
attacking our outposts, which resulted
in the battle and the rebel discontinue.
By this action Aguinaldo forfeited
any possible right or claim of right he
may have had upon our consideration.
From having been counseled with as
one whose people We're enslaved, and
whom we were about to free and pro-
tect, he and his soldiery became our
enemies by their choosing, and not by
reason of any action upon our part.
Aguinaldo began war upon US while
peace treaty with Spain was pending,
while We were bound to protect the
Spanish we had conquered, while we
were put into the non-fighting class un-
til the treaty should be rejected. He
thereby made himself public enemy
and instead of serving the rights and
liberties of his people, he placed them
in jeopardy and brought about a con-
dition of things for which we are blame
less.
In short the situation is very much
what it would have been in Cuba had
the Cuban insurgents, after we had dis
possessed the Spanish and while we
were negotiating treaty under a truce
of arms, said to us: Americans, move
out of here; leave to us now the fur
| Their care of the Spanish and settlement
with Spain. Move out, and if you do
not we will open fire upon you" Is
there an AMERICAN in all the land who
! having regard for his nationality, dig