The record-union., 1899-01-25

claim that the United States is massing
its forces at the late Capital of the
Philippine Islands"
He points out that the Philippine ISL
ands' are in state of order possessing
government satisfactory to their in
habitants, and without an enemy with
in their borders offering any resistance
to its operations, and are at peace with
all the world
He Is sure the Secretary of State will
appreciate, in view of the circumstances
detailed, the quieting, reassuring inf1u-
ence upon the minds of his countrymen
to result from a disclaimer upon the
part of the American Government OF
any intention to attack their liberties
and Importance.
Continuing, he says that nOtWith-
standing the difficulty he labors under
in not having been formally received
he finds it his imperative duty to call
the attention of the Secretary to the
disturbing facts enumerated, to the end
that he may receive such assurances
as will satisfy his Government that il
is not the intention of America to make
war upon the new republic of Asia, and
which will explain to it the reason why
large armies and navies should be dis
patched to the Philippine Islands, and
which will relieve his countrymen OF
the fear that now possesses them, that
their liberties are in danger at the
hands of a republic whose name they
have always believed was associated
with freedom and to which they first
came for recognition.
He expresses his gratitude to Amer
lea for services rendered, and hopes
that friendly relations may continue
and urges the Importance of an imme-
diate answer.
FTLIPINOS SUSPICIOUS.
MANILA, Jan 20 (via- Hongkong jan
24.-The 'Independcia'' to-day issued a
supplement containing a dispatch pur-
porting to be from Malolos, the seat OF
the rebel government. 1t comments
upon the appointment of the commits
sion, and says:
1.-The Filipinos naturally suspect this
is a new attempt to humbug. Both
Dewey and Spencer Pratt promised US
independence if the Filipino republic
was stable. The Filipinos are disillu-
stoned. They believe the commission
is a ruse to gain time until they have
accumulated formidable forces. when
America, abusing her strength, will be-
gin a war to ratify her sovereignty"
The Independence" then alleges
that all the Commissioners are parti-
sans of colonial expansion, and Incl
dentally asserts that the Archbishop
also favors annexation, with the sole
object of gaining the sympathies of the
winning side, immaterial which in the
interests of the religious corporations. -
The Filipinos of Calcocan and Gega-
langin, mistaking salutes exchanged be-
tween British and German warships on
January 18th, moved !, 1000 men to the
front in order of battle, covering the
adjacent country, but they did not at
tack the American lines.
Reports from the interior indicate
that Aguinaldos authority is now gen
orally recognized. Every available male
is being recruited, and arms depots are
being established at San Bernardino,
Union, Trinidad and other large towns.
The surrounding country is being lev
led on for supplies, and the Filipino
troops are living on the fat of the land,
whiles the native villagers are compelled
TO subsist on rice. There is some fric-
ton between the Filipino civil and mill
itary authorities, but they are united
on the question of independence.
1t is estimated that there are fully
10000 Filipinos under arms and it is
said that there are nearly fifty Maxim
guns at Malolos, some of them having
been recently acquired.
The Filipino military authorities are
convinced. they say that the Ameri-
cans will be unable to work effectively
outside Of Manila in the event of hostjl-
tiles, hence, they feel confident in the
future
Many of the Filipino officers complain
of alleged discourteous treatment upon
the part of Americans at Manila.
MASSACRE OF SPANISH AT BALA-
BAG.
LABUAN Qsland of Labuan, British
Borneo), Jan. 24.-The steamer Lau-
buan, Captain Pfort, which has arrived
here, came from the island of Balabac,
thirty miles south of Palawan, Philip
pine Islands,, and not from Palawan,
as previously reported. The murder of
Spanish officers which she reported oc-
CURED at Balabac.
The Labuan brought sixty-ffva wo-
men and chilren here. They had heen
robbed of everything, but otherwise
had not been i'll treated. The Sulus
assisted the Balabacs in killing the
Spanish officers. The Spaniards left
Palawan. where the natives were fear
f,,J ~, ho1 hco
looted, business was at standstill
and the natives were armed and ready
for mischief.
A dispatch from Madrid on January
Sd said General Rios, the Spanish COM
mander in the Philippines, had cabled
from Manila confirming the report that
all the Spaniards at Balabac had been
massacred with the exception Of the
women, whose release was being asked
for
The Madrid correspondent of the
DAILY Mali of London telegraphed
from Madrid the same day that in the
rebellion at Balabac Lieutenant Bel
lamy was beheaded, and that the reb-
els also murdered a doctor and several
other Europeans. A gunboat was also
said to have fired on the rebels. Its
commander was unable to effect the
release of the women.
|AGONCILLO'S WORK DIFFICULTY
LONDON, Jan. 24.-The Filipino
Junta here to-day received a cable
message from Agoncillo, Aguinaldo's
representative at Washington. declar-
ing that the prospects were improving
though the work was difficult.
The absence of direct news from Ma
malta and the receipt Of secret intelli-
gence from Washington is causing the
gravest anxiety among the Filipinos