The record-union., 1899-07-19

MINNEAPOLIS (Minn). July 1S.--
The Times tomorrow morning Will
publish an interview which took place
May 18th at San Isidro, Luzon, between
it's special correspondent, Martin TeW
of the Thirteenth Minnesota, detailed
by General Wheaton as brigade inter-
prefer, and Major Lorenzo l.. Zlalclta,
leader of Aguinaldo's cavalry, and one
of the Filipino Commissioners who
went to General Otis with proposals
for an armistice.
Major Zialcita denied emphatically
that Filipino officials had ordered the
burning of Manila and the wholesale
murder of Americans, and cited proof
Many Filipino officers were in Manila
that night and were taken prisoners
He said the proclamation of General
Otis, proclaiming himself Governor
General had greatly incensed the Fill
pinos but asserted that both the Fill
pino leaders and people believed the
Americans had begun the hostilities.
Major Zialcita, speaking Aof the re-
puted promises of independence made
prior to the fall of Manila, when asked
by Mr.. Tew if in their eagerness for
independence the Filipinos had not mis-
understood or misconstrued %the lam
guage of American officials and officers,
replied:
There is not the slightest mistake
about this. Consul Wildman verbally
made this statement to us, and we
have so much confidence in the good
intentions of the United States that
to US it meant as much as if it had
been delivered in writing. Besides,
when we We're in Cavite number Of
us had the honor of entertaining Gen
eral Anderson at the Atheo Rizal. This
was before Manila was taken by your
forces. General Anderson on this oc
casion made a speech in which he said
the Americans had not come here for
the purpose of taking one foot of ter
ritory with the view of permanent pos
session, but for the purpose of giving
the Filipinos their independence.
"On September 21st, last year. on the
occasion of a fiesta, a number of
American officers celebrated with us
at the residence of Pedarno Pachao,
and all expressed the same sentiments.
On many different occasions we were
told by men high in authority that Fill
1pino independence would be recog-
nized.''
What was the opinion of the Fill
pino leaders in regard to General OTIS
proclamation of January 4th?'
That proclamation" replied the Ma
jor. was decidedly bad and greatly
incensed the people everywhere. 1t
stated nothing clearly, and promised
nothing. 1t was non-committal on all
points except that Otis declared him
self Governor General of the island.
and that our country had been pur
chased from Spain. The Filipino peo-
pie desired independence, not annex
ation.''
Referring to the telegram of Febru-
AIRY Goth, sent by General Otis relative
to the order of the Filipino Government
to burn Manila and massacre the
whites in the city, the Filipino ennis
sary. with a flash of anger on his face,
replied: That was absolutely false.
No such order was ever issued by OFF,
cials at Malolos. If General Otis found
any such written order it was the
work of friars or some other enemy Of
ours This is not a race war. we
realize that in order to win we must
have the support of civilized nations,
and must conduct our affairs accord
ingly."
Early the next morning the Commits
sioners under escort, started for Ma
nila to see General Otis.