Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-24
UNITED STATES NOT PLEDGED TO
DO THE IMPOSSIBLE.
AS TO SPANISH PRISONERS
STORY OF THEIR RELEASE BY FILL
PINOs NOT CONFIRMED.
Seaor Agonci1lo, AEuinaldo's Agent
Still CIamoring for Recognition
at Washington. but He Will
Not Get It-Threats of
No Effect.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S.-Secretary AlSer
this afternoon said that. while he would
be pleased to hear that the Filipinos mad
liberated the Spanish prisoners held by
them he had no official information TO con-
firm the statement to that effect coming
from Madrid. General Otis has been cabied
for accurate information respecting the
number CT these prisoners but SO lar ne
has not given the information. The gov
ernment is pledged to endeavor to secure
their release and it will use every proper
effort to do so, but 1t cannot be held to the
performance of the impossible. and must De
allowed its own time and the use OF what
it deems the best means to accomplish the
task.
1t is not tc be supposed for a moment
that the Spanish government. no matter
how desirous of securing the release OF the
prisoners more speedily than could be ac-
complished through the efforts OF the
United States government. will enter into
any alliance with the insurgents. Tech
nically the war is still In progress, al
though active hostilties are suspended
and any conduct on the part OF the spanish
government that would tend to increase
the difficulties of the United States in
dealing with the insurgents may nave 70
be reckoned for. This statement might NOT
be held to apply to a simple effort on the
part of the Spanish government 10 secure
the release of their subjects. but 1t couio
not he tolerated that they should enter
into any sort of an alliance with people
who are practically in rebellion against
the United States.
The officials here are not moved ny the
reported threat of the Filipino Junta III
Europe to withdraw Agoncillo and his fei-
lows frcm Washington If they are not
speedily recognized officially. While tAson-
clio has been well treated informally, ne
has not been recognized by the government,
and it may be stated positively thal ne
will not be.
The Filipino representatives here are
not prepared at this time to state when
their efforts to obtain recognition Tor the
Aguinaldo government are TO cease. Ihis
is question. they say, which will depend
entirely on circumstances that may usvsl-
op as result of their attempts to be DIP
lomaticaliy received here AID the action OF
the senate on the peace treaty.
Senior Agoncillo. the chief agent OF Agui-
naldo said tonight that the reports he
had received from his government showed
no change in the condition of affairs in the
islands. and there was no particular news
regular form of government and are car
rying out it's functions. He and his asso-
ciates here would use every proper EFFORT
to obtain recognition for them. and he
hoped these efforts would be crowned with
success. Up to this time. however, no
reply had come from the state department
to their letters asking for the recognition
Senior Agoncillo evidently discredited the
reports that he would be recalled to Manila
cessful, as he stated that there had been no
word from Aguinaldo to return home The
envoy made it very clear that the Fdlipinos
United States, but that every attempt
would be made to reach a peaceful solu-
tion of the existing difficulties.
tefn Nnyln nf NIT
| been engaged by the e1voys as counsel
| said in an interview to-day that the Fill
pinos have come here to do all they can an to
case. he declared. is good one, as the
| Filipino government has won for itself the
| practical control of all the Philippine isl
Mr.. Ralston said the Filipinos want in.
| dependence and they would be prepared to
defend it against any other ,1; foreign power s
due as would the United States.
1.-The ENJOYS" he stated, ARE here not to
form }Hna not Il as shag mot mot to
| lomatic representatives of their govern
| ment.
'',rhe natives do not favor annexation
and only a certain class in Manila desires
lit Even those were less than they were six
| months ago. The delegates are here tc
the recognition, a ion, Of Of. absolute inde
| Within u week they will be able to make
an official statement as to their claims ant
| MADRID. Jan. 23.-The premier, Seno1
Sagasta. declares that .Aguinaldo has made
| the liberation of the Spanish prisoners ir
the Philippines conditional upon Spain rec.
ognizing the Philippine republic and allyins
| herself thereto.
| Aguinaldo. it is added, has similarly de-
manded the vatican's recognition of the
| Philippine republic.
A dispatch from Manila says: THE time
| in which the insurgents have allowed the
| Americans to recognize their independence
expires Tomorrow and hostilities are ex
| pected to reopen Aguinaldo has requested
! the vatican to send a commission to nego
| tate for the release Of the clericais."
| LONDON, Jan. 23.-The Filipino junts
| here has received dispatches saying tina
| if Agoncillo. one of Aguinaldo's ENJOYS a
| Washington. is not received by the United
States government within few, days
| Agunaido will recall him to Manila ant
suspend relations with the United States
thus removing an important medium fo
| arriving at peaceful understanding
The junta's advices also assert tina
| large numbers of American troops ar,
| fraternizing with the natives, and tina
many of them are engaged to Filipin,
| girls