The times., 1899-02-07
MAY YET HEAL THE BREACH.
Ramon De Rcies 'Lala ON the Fill
pino Situation.

New York. Feb. 6.-Ramon De Reies
Lala. one of the leading Fillpinos re-
siding in this country and now here. be-
lieves that it is not yet too late to heal
the breach between the Americans and in
surgents. Laia is an American citizen.
He has been an American citizen for eight
years. His family is one of the oldest and
richest in Manila. He has written book
on the islands and has also lectured before
various societies here. The statement OBJ
tained from him is as follows:
THE present outbreak dos not echo the
feeling OF the better element of the Phil
ippines. The vast majority OF the natives
as yet do not know the United States at
all. When first fighting for their indie
pendence it was to secure themselves from
Spanish tyranny from which they had suf
fered 400 years. ami they had no idea that
any other government would take part in
the struggle. When the United States sud
denly came in new conditions were pre-
sented. The more ignorant of the natives
could not be brought to realize the differ
ence between Spanish domination and
American domination. An American pro-
tectorate, or cooperation, which would
! leave local elf-government to the Filipi-
nos, was unthought Of Then the Peace
Commission and the matter OF debating
terms in Paris. No action was taken by
Congress on the completed Treaty and the
natives were at loss to know what was
the attitude of America. Under the cir
cumstances they have simply feared going
from one form of tyranny to another. The
better classes advised and urged modera-
tion. but they have been unable to keep
the masses of the people under check.
Their leaders have promised the lower Fill
/ ipinos independence, meaning freedom
I from tyranny, and If actual independence
they do not get they will think their lead
| ers have sold them out. Aguinaldo's head
would not have been worth twenty four
| hours purchase If he had counseIed sub
mission to the United States"
! so you don't think Aguinaldo response
| BILE for the outbreak"
| Il do not said Mr.. Lala warmly Il
shall be greatly surprised If it is dscov-
/ cred that Aguinaldo is not acting from pa
| triotic motives. Why was he asked to dis
band an army OF 10000 or 10000 without
any definite statement of what this country
expects to do. or what will be the position
of the FilipinoS after the disbandment? ?
Suppose the Treaty were not ratified. We
would then be at war with Spain and the
natives in their old attitude OF strugg ing
for independence against the mother coun-
try. With such a contingency facing them
they felt they must maintain their mill
tary organization and their revolutionary
government"
LAS far as / can find from interviews
with all classes of Filipinos. it is the fail
ure to ratify the Treaty which Is direct J
responsible for the present trouble. Tht
few Senators who kept up an endless talk.
ing impressed my countTymen with al
idea that the Americans were about equally
divided on the subject of annexation, when
as a matter of fact. two-thrds Of the peo.
pie of the United States are expansionists
The Administration should now presen
definite terms on which mcdus vivend
can be agreed upon
do you think general conflict likely
to ensue?''
Il do not. This thing has TO be adjuste-
in some way. That element in the island
which is hard to keep in line will b;
taught a good lesson, and the better cas-.
of Filipinos will probably be glad OF it,
Mr.. Lala was asked if any of the Filipi
nos would actively take sides with tn,
Americans. He said:
IF there is going to be a general upris
ing every decent citizen OF Manila will sid,
with the Americans. arms and all Othe
better class natives outside of the city vi;
remain neutral