The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-10-02
AGUINALDO CUT OFF
With a Positive Refusal of His
Offer by General Otis.

Offer by General Otis
tempt to shift his difficulties into the
field of diplomacy is a repetition of the
other one or two. with an impossible
endeavor to obtain some sort of recog-
milton of his so-called government.
The Filipino ENJOYS had an hours
conference with General Otis. They
brought from AguinaldO message
that he desired peace and wished TO
send a civilian governmental cOmrnlS-
sion 20 discuss the question. General
Otis replied that it was impossible for
him to recognize Aguinaldo's govern
ment in that way.
They presented a letter from Aguinal-
do as president of the republic which
was largely repetition OF his recent
appeals for recognition General Otis
informed them that, while he was will
ing to correspond with Agufnaldo as
general of the insurgent forces, he
must positively decline to recognize
him as president Of the civil govern
meut.
Another conference will be held. The
FiIipinos viii remain two or three days
Their movements are unrestricted. but
they are under constant chaperonage OF
CAPTAIN Johnson, of the Fifteenth IN
fantry. They visited the hospitals and
distributed money among the wounded
Fiipinos, after which they made calls
and received visitors at their hotel.
Natives in their Sunday clothing
thronged the plaza in front of the hotel
all day yesterday, stretching their
necks toward the windows for a glimpse
of the snowy uniform of the ENJOYS
The assemblage finally increased to
thousand people. When the ENJOYS
emerged for an afternoon drive, the
natives removed their hats deferential-
ly, and crowd in vehicles or on foot,
followed the carriage through the
streets.
I'VE desire peace, but peace with in
I dependence and honor" said General
Alejandrino today, while conversing
with a representative of the Associated
Press. He iInpTesses one as dignIned
and dispassionate and as a keen man
of the world. He was educated in Eu-
rope and designed the remarkable in
treuchmentS from Manila to TarlaC.
While retfcent concerning his mission.
his conversation throws an interesting
light on the Filipino view OF the Ameri-
can attitude.
How long can the Filipino army and
people withstand $4,000 American
tToops?" asked the representative OF
the Associated Press.
Fighting in our way, we can main
tain a state of war and the necessity
of large army of Occupa ton indefinite
ly- You Americans are holding a few
miles around Manila a narrow line Of
railroad, to Angeles and a circle of
country around San Fernando. But you
are ignorant of the resources of LuzOu.
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 a minimum cost.
1t is an interesting question what
the cost to the American people is of
maintaining the American troops in the
Philippines. We do not, Of course,
know the amount. but it must be ex-
cessive We perceive what an Amerf-
can soldier requires in this climate. On
the other hand, a Filipino exists with a
handful of rice and pair of linen
trousers. We do not hove to pay our
soldiers, and can practically hold up
their wages as long as we desire. Even
with cur present supply of arms and
ammunition, we could keep your army
/ occupied for years.
With an expense that grows daily.
| how long will your people stand ft2 The
1 Filipino people do not wish to continue
| the fighting. We have no army con-
| tractors. We have no business men
| making profits from the maintenance
/ of our army. There is nothing in it for
/ US. nor are our salaries large enough to
keep US fighting for money and posi-
ton"
Discussing the question of a recogni-
| ton by the United States of the So
/ called Filipino government, General
/ Alejandrino said:
The freedom Of the American prison
| erS who have just been turned over to
your was decreed by the Filipino con-
gresS- Your government has accepted
them 1t will doubtless accept any
others that our government may free
He inquired concerning the percent
age of sick American troops, and when
informed said he considered it small.
He asked a number of questions indi-
eating a hope of anI-imperialist &C
( ton by the United States congress. and
inquired what would be the effect on
the national policy If congress should
declare Itself opposed to the prosecution
| Of the war, and whether anti-irnperiaI-
| ist sentiment was growing in the United
| States. Several inquiries he made also
| regarding the nature and effect of a
| joint resolution of congress.