The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-31

I'm Which Our Government In Placed
Toward AgoneilIo-The Philippine
Situation Critical

Washington. January 27.-The OFF,
Gals at the state department are mute
respecting the treatment 10 be accord
ed Agoncillo, the representative here OF
Aguinaldo, although il is known that
he has BEEN under surveillance ever
since his arrival in this city and ii was
he acting also in the capacity OF a re-
learned that he was in correspondence
overthe cables with his chief. generally
through some n Of the Philippine
juntas in Hong Kong. London or Paris,
but whether any telegram has been &C
tually intercepted cannot be learned.
There was good ground also for the be-
lief that Agoncillo was receiving advice
from certain persons inimical TO the
policy the president has adopted for
the treatment OF the Philippine ques-
ton at his stage. This has been toll
Grated reluctantly by the administra-
ton, rather than TO make open issue of
what is still a case possible of adjust
ment.
The publication two days ago of what
proved to be a very good abstract. with
exact quotations, Of the letter left the
day preceding the publication by Agon-
cillo's secretary at the state depart
ment, likewise was resented as a not
able breach Of official decorum. The
first inclination of the officials after
the publication was TO get rid Of Agon-
clio, but officials were loath take any
action in advance of the senate passage
upon the pending peace treaty, espec-
tally as action might involve passage
upon certain legal and diplomatic
points involved, as to which 1t is de-
sired not TO establish a precedent at
this time. Administration officials be-
lieve the general tenor of the advices
Agoncillo has sent his principals has
been in the line Of admonition to hold
off from the acceptance Of any terms
from General Otis in view Of the pros
pect that the treaty Of peace might fail
in the United States senate.
The situation at Manila is regarded
as critical, of course, but the officials
see no reason why they cannot COM
mand it for a time at least. General
JUS lSpOliCo yColIiudy la IOAASIliOh
with some matters connected with the
shipment home Of sick Spanish SOL
diers, that he could hold out beyond a
doubt until his reinforcements arrived,
and added that as the news had reached
Manila that there was every prospect
that the peace treaty will be soon rati-
fed by the United States senate, the
effect upon the native element had been
salutary.
General Otis was given permission
to load some of the sick Spanish SOL
diers upon two Spanish steamers now
at Manila Dr. just due, leaving the
terms to be paid to be settled upon the
basis of the contract price to be paid
by the war department to the steamship
line that secures the contract next
week for the transportation home of
all the Spanish soldiers in the Philip
pines.
Agoncillo authorized the following
statement today concerning a publish
ed report that the government had in
tercepted dispatches from him to
Aguinaldo in which he is advised that
the Philippines would have to fight for
their independence and that was the
time to act:
"The statement is absolutely false
and is calculated to excite feeling and
animosity in this country and to preju-
dice the Philippine cause, No such
| telegram has ever been sent by me and
for that reason no such telegram could
have been intercepted. The falsity of
the statement is shown by the fact that
l have cabled my government to con-
tinue the same friendship which was
born on the battlefield against Spain.
The Philippine people have no wish
and no purpose to fight against the
Americans unless they are driven to
it. Their only desire is to strengthen
the bonds now existing"