The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-16
ands as possible and consistent with a
free and well-conStituted govern

free and well-conStituted govern
ment, and it is my desire to
inaugurate policy of that character
am also convinced that it is the inten-
ton or the United States government to
seek the establishment of a most lib
eral government for the islands. in
which the people themselves shall have
as full representation as the mainte-
nance of order and law will permit. and
which shall be susceptible of develop
ment on lines of increased representa-
ton and the bestowal of Increased pow
ers into government as free and inde-
pendent as is enjoyed by the most ia
vored provinces Of the world.
It will be my constant endeavor to
cooperate with the Filipino people,
seeking the good of the country, and |
invite their full confidence and add
In response to the conciliatory proc
lamation of Otis, Aguinaldo issued an
official manifesto, in which he says:
General Otis calls himself in the
proclamation referred to military gov
ernor of the Philippine islands, and
protest once and a thousand times and
With all energy of my soul against such
authority. / solemnly proclaim That
nave never had, neither in Singapore
nor Hong Kong, nor here in the Phil
ipplnes, any undertaking nor agree
ment, neither by, word nor by writing,
to recognize the sovereignty of Ameri-
ca, in this, my loved country. On the
contrary, say that I returned to these
Islands on board an American warship
on the l9tn of May of last year with the
decided and manifested proposition to
carry on the war with the Spaniards, to
reconquor our liberty and independence.
In the proclamation of General Otis, he
alludes to instructions written for him
by his excellency, the president of the
United States, referring to the adminis-
tration of affairs in the Philippine ISL
ands. ! solemnly protest in the name
of God, the root and fountain of all JUS
tice, and of all right and who has Civ
en- to me the power to direct my dear
brothers in the difficult work of our re-
generation, against this intrusion of the
government of the States in the sover-
eighty of these islands. Equally I pro-
test in the name of all the Philippine
people against this intrusion because
when they gave ME their vote. of conf
dence, electing me, though unworthy,
as president of the nation. when they
did this, they imposed on me the duty
to sustain to the death their liberty
and independence.
Lastly, / protest against this act, so
little expected, of the sovereignty of
America in these islands, in The name of
all that has passed, of which I have
proofs in my possession, referring to
my relations with the American author
.lties, which prove in the most unequiv-
ocal manner that the United States did
not bring me from Hong Kong to make
war against the Spaniardsn to benefit
the Americans, but to help us to gain
our liberty and independence for the
attainment of which object the Ameri-
can officials promised me verbally their
decided and +efficacious co-operation.
And 50 you must understand, my dear
brothers, that united by bonds which
it will be impossible to break, such is
the idea of liberty and our absolute in
dependence, which have been our noble
aspirations, all must work together to
arrive at this happy end, with the force
which gives conviction, already 80 gem
orally felt among all the people, never
to turn back in the road of glory on
which we have already SO far advanc-
ed"
On January a second proclamation,
to have been issued by Ag-
was published. 1t contained
the statements that if the Americans
to move from Manila into the
interior or attempted to occupy the
Vfzayas by force, their acts would be
considered as a. declaration of war and
that the Filipinos would immediately
begin their fight for Independence The
of this proclamation was
prohibited as far as possible in Manila
on account of it's incendiary nature