The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-01-31
ANOTHER MOVE
BY AGONC|LLO
Sends Communication to State
Department
III WILL SIMPLY Be IGNORED
Was Accompanied byLong Mem
oriaI Addressed to Senate.
ARGUMENT e~sT RATIFICATION
sYT
Claims II SSs Have No Jurisdiction
So Archipelago.
ss
SAY Sc REVOLUTION EXISTED
Long Before the United States Declar-
ed War Against the Kingdom
of Spain-The History
of the Case.
SAY Sc REVOLUTION EXISTED

Washington, January 3O.-Sixto Lopez,
secretary to Senor Agoncllo, the Philip
pine representative here called at the state
department at o'clock this afternoon and
left with the chief clerk another commu-
nication addressed to the secretary of
state protesting against the attitude Of
our government toward the Philippine re
public" The terms of the protest do not
go as far as an ultimatum. The same
fate awaits this COMMUNICATION that
which befell its predecessor 1t will be
automatically ignored.
Accompanying the communication Is a
long memorial addressed to the senate
containing comprehensive argument in
opposition to the ratification of the
treat and which the envoys asks the
president to send to that body. The
letter of transmittal contains more
than the mere request, but Agoneillo feels
that he is bound by courtesy not to make
it public until an opportunity is had by
the state department officials to make
reply.
Memorial to Senate
The memorial to the senate is a long doc
ument both historical and argumsntative in
character and is protest that this gov
ernment has no jurisdiction, natural or
acquired through any Of its agencies to ad-
judicate in any manner upon the rights of
the Philippine country and its people He
refers to the Historical fact that the ma
jority of my countrymen have never been
subdued by Spanish power, and as against
their liberties, the oppressive arm of Spain
has never been able to sustain itself; that
the remainder because of their adhesion n
the cause of liberty, have been In almost
constant insurrection against the govern
ment of Spain; these conflicts exist continu-
ously with greater or less fury for the past
hundred years"
The impression, he continues, has been
created in America that at the time of the
declaration of war between America and
Spain the Philippine revolution no longer
existed.
Quotes from Consuls
He quotes from communications from
Consul General Wildman at Manila and Mr..
Pratt as result of which Agoncillo says
that without additional authority 1t must
be evident to your honorable body that en-
extensive revolution existed in the Philip
pine islands at the time of the declaration
of war by America against Spain"
The purpose of the Philippine patriots in
conducting this revolution was, 1t is as
serted to secure the complete independ-
ence of their country and in this effort they
received the encouragement OF the United
States and were never informed that the
obtaining and preservation of such inde-
pendence would be regarded as q hostile
act by America and they never believed
that their struggle In such a cause would
lead to enormous aggregations OF Amer
lean armies and navies at their DOORS
Additional historical facts are here pre-
sented and quotations made from mani
festos of the PHILIPPINES and from other
documents, from which, says the envoy,
1t must appear "that the Philippine nation
has achieved it's independence free from
any danger of losing 1t at the hands of the
Spaniards prior even to the signing of the
protocol"
Had Maintained Order
Spain having been driven away from tho
islands and inhabitants having established
government satisfactory to themselves
and maintaining order throughout the ter
ritories with the justification. Agoncillo
asks. can any other nation advance for in
terferfng with his country or extend to
1t the obligations of international law.
Could SPAIN, he asks, give to any nation
better right than she possessed? She
could not confer possession for she did not
enjoy it and any former right of possess
sion claimed by her had been extinguished
by the destruction of her sovereignty
Bearing on the discussion Of the question
whether the American government can ac-
qure the right to the Philippines from
Spain by treaty, The memorial calls atten-
tion to several notable and exact adminis-
tration precedents,' and Agoncillo says he
could ask for his country mo better for
tune than to have the republic Of America
as at present constituted, adhere to the
teachings of international law as laid down
by some of its founders"
Senior Agoncilo, in conclusion, summar-
lied the various reasons set out In detail
why the treaty should not be ratified and
expresses an earnest hope that the repre-
sentations he has ventured to make will re-
ceive the grave consideration OF the senate
before final action is taken upon the treaty
which contains SO much OF consequence to
his people.