Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-02
AGUINALDO WANTS PEACE
Diplomatic Move Of Filipino Leader Thwarted
by Otis
His Offer Involved the Recognition of
the Alleged InsurSent Gov
eminent.

A dispatch from Manila yesterday says:
Aguinaldo's third attempt to shift his diff
ficulties into the field of diplomacy Is
repetition of the other one two, with
an impossible endeavor to obtain some
sort of recognition of his so-called gov
ernment The Filipino ENJOYS had an
hours conference with Gen. Otis this
morning. They brought from Aguinaldo
| a message that he desired peace and wish
ed to send civilian governmental COM
mission to discuss the question. Gen. Otis
replied that it was impossible for him to
recognize Aguinaldo's government in that
way.
They presented a letter from Aguinaldo,
as president of the republic" which was
largely repetition of the recent appeals
for recognition. Gen. Otis informed them
that, while he was willing to correspond
with Aguinaldo as general of the insur-
gent forces, he must positively decline to
recognize him as president of the civil
government
The Filipinos will remain two or three
days. Their movements are quite unre-
stricted, but they are under the constant
chaperonage of Capt Johnson of the 10th
Infantry. Today they visited the hospitals
and distributed money among the wounded
tihpinos, after which they made calls and
received visitors at their hotel
We desired peace, but peace with in
dependence and honor" said Cen Ale
jandrino while conversing with rep
resentative of the Associated Press
He impresses one as dignified as dispas-
sionate and as keen man of the world
He was educated in Europe and designed
the remarkable entertainments from Manila
to Iarlac. While reticent concerning his
mission. his conversation throws an in
teresting light on the Filipino view of the
American attitude.
How long can the Filipino army and
hSfa nd arjc
asked the representative of the Associated
Press.
Fighting in our way, we can maintain
a state of war and the necessity for a
large army of occupation indefinitely. You
Americans are holding a few miles around
Manila, narrow line of railroad to An
geles, and a circle of country around San
fernando. But you are ignorant of the
resources of Luzon. We hold the immense
rich productive northern country from
Which to draw Our people contribute the
money and food which maintain our army
and this Is done at minimum of cost.
1T is an interesting question what the
cost to the American people is of maintain
ing the American troops in the Philippines
We do not, Of course, know the amount
but 1t must be excessive. We perceive what
an American soldier requires in this eli
maze. On the other hand, Filipino exists
with a handful of rice ard a pair of linen
trousers. We do not have to pay our sol
dlerS, and can practically hold up their
Wag as long as we desire. Even without
our present supply OF arms and ammuni-
ton, We could keep your army occupied for
years.
with an expense that grows daily, how
IL ng will your people stand it? The F'ilipino
people DO not wish to continue the hghtine
We have no army contractors. We have
no business men making profits from the
maintenance Of our army There is moth
ing in IL for us, nor our salaries large
enough to keep US fighting for money and
position"
Discussing the question of recognition
by the United States of the so-called Fill
pino government, Gen. Alejandrino said:
The freedom of the American prisoners
who have just been turned over to you was
decrced by the Filipino congress- Your
government has accepted them. It will
doubtless accept any others that our gov
eminent may free"
He inquired concerning the percentage Of
SICK American troops, and when informed
said he considered 1t small. He asked a
number Of questions, indicating a hope of
anti-impcriaist action by the United States
Congress, and inquired what would be the
effect on the national policy If Congress
should declare itself opposed to the prose-
cution of the war, and whether anti-imper-
ialfst sentiment was growing in the United
States.
Several inquiries he made also regarding
the nature and effect of a joint resolution
of Congress.