The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-07-19
AGU|NALDOS PLEA FOR FREEDOM.
ABSOLUTE INDEPENDENCE.
Assures His Followers That an Element In the
United States Mas Arisen In Their
Favor--Lauds Noble Spain.

A copy of the Independence has
reached Manila containing the speech
which Aguinaldo made during the
recent celebration at Tarlac of the an
niVersary OF the proclamation of Fill
pino Independence. Iu substance II Is
as follows:
"Fillpina, beloved daughter of the
ardent sun OF tie tropics, commended
by Providence to the care of noble
Spain, be not ungrateful to her salute
who warmed you with the breath of
her own culture and civilization.
1t Is true she sought to crush thy
Inspiration for independence, as a low
ing mother opposes separation forever
from the daughter of her bosom. This
put proves the excess OF affection and
love Spain feels for thee. Filpina, de-
licate flower of the east, scarcely eight
months weaned from the breast of thy
mother, thou has dared TO brave n
great and powerful nation, such as is
the United States, after barely organic
ing and disciplining thy little army. Yet
we reply we will be slaves to none, nor
allow ourselves to be deceived by soft
words. Let us continue 20 defend our
fatherland until independence is as
sured, for this IL justice.
we shall see at last that the great
american nation Will acknowledge the
right which Is on our side. That doc
trine OF the great Monroe, that America
is for Americans, is not forgotten, just
as we affirm that the Philippines are
FOR the Filipinos. Some states of the
American Union have arisen in our
favor. Especially is the Democratic
party convinced that both victors q III
Yanqulshed Will lose precious lives
Thus many of the people and many Of
the statesmen censure President Me-
kinley as inhuman for having ordered
his military representatives at Manila
TO seek means to bring about hostilities
with the Fillpinos.
These facts prove that they wished
10 try us to see IL we are able to live
up to the second color OF our banner,
red, which signifies courage, heroism
and martyrdom. Therefore we should
not resent this struggle with the Amer
leans In spite of their expressed de-
sire to dominate all the Philippines,
well convinced are they that we fight
with Justice and right on our side. and
that autonomy Is all a show of deceit,
only serving to save certain accum-
ulated wealth.
I'VE have never concealed our aspira-
tons, that we aspire but to independ-
ence; that we Will struggle on to obtain
II, perhaps from those who are now
our enemies and tomorrow win be our
allies, as they were for the overthrow
of the power of Spain. We might well
accept this autonomy America offers,
but what can we do with IL II our am
bition Is independence and If we are to
accept 1t only to later overthrow by
force Of arms the sovereignty of Amer
lea? AS 1 believe 1t is the intention of
the autonomists to make use of treach-
cry and deceit, we can not accept such
procedure.
I'VE do not wish to be traitors after
ward. We wish to show our character
OF frankness and sincerity and nothing
more. Let us avoid the example OF
those natives who. having at one time
been colonists. accepted autonomy TO
enable them to make their work surer
once everything was proposed. History
has given us an example of this in
recent events.
Let us persist in our idea, which H.
only the legitimate and noble aspira-
tions OF n people which is deslrous at
all cost to preserve its national honor
spotless and as pure as crystal. Thus,
then, there VIII not be n single Filipino
autonomist. Those who are so are in
the eyes of the people but time servers,
fearful of losing their riches, threaten
ed by risks OF war.
"Filipinos, let us be constant! Let
us strengthen the bonds OF our union!"