New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-09
AcT1NALDO'S ANSWER ANSWERED.

Mr. Aouinaldo's answer to the Presidents
nroc,amation was answered before 1t was made
Inv the facts of record in the case. He says he
and his comrades have been from the outset
fighting for full independence, and that that has
all along been understood by all concerned
Well. we printed on Saturday some official con-
sular correspondence from the Far East which
wos "miphty interesting reading 1t threw
much light upon the present situation IN the
Philippines and upon the whole train OF Incl
dents that led thereto. II disposed eHectiVeiy
Of n yost amount Of speculation and assumption
upon which have been based most of the crlt
cisms of the Governments policy In that quar-
ter Of the world. Intimatons and even POSITIVE
assertions had been made, long before this fui
mination Of the insurgent leader, that the OIL
cial representatives Of the United States recog
nized the independence Of the Philippines, or nj
least promised Mr.. Aguinaldo that his sover
eighty would be recognized. and that conse
ouenty our present action is breach OF faith
Few rational beings ever really believed such
stuff. but II is nevertheless as n matter Of rec
ord satisfactory to have It all swept into limbo
by official authority.
Mr.. Williams. Consul at Manila. Is most con-
cerned He was at the very centre of interest
down to the time OF SPANS declaration OF war,
and after n few days absence he returned
thither with Admiral Dewey. To him the Fill
pinos freely expressed hopes that either the
United States or Great Britain would annex the
islands Mr. Aguinaldo himself told him that
his friends all hoped the United States would
hold the Philippines colony There was not
one word of promise to Mr.. Aguinaldo Of Phil
ipplne independence, nor one compatible with
any such promise. On the contrary, the under
standing from the outset was that the Islands
were to come under United states control II
the United States was willing to take them
Mr.. Wdman, Consul at Hong Kong, was
also concerned in the matter. He wrote on
July IS that the rich Filipinos at Hong
Kong were fighting for annexation to the
United States first and for independence sec
"ondly" He made no pledges to Mr.. Aguinaldo
Mr.. Pratt Consul at Singapore, also had deal
ings with Mr.. Aguinaldo He made no political
pledges to him, but received from him an ex-
preston Of hope that the United States would
assume a protectorate over the Philippines for
at least time sufficient TO enable the natives to
establish n government OF their own, In the or
eanization of which American advice and assist
ance would be desired.
Substantially the testimony Of all three Con-
suls is to the same effect, that Mr.. Aguinaldo
himself and all the thrifty and progressive Fill
pinos desired annexation to the United States
rather than anything else and that all negota-
tons with them were conducted on basis that
kept the United States absolutely free to annex
the islands or not. as 1t pleased That is the in
disputable record. 1t is not to be impeached by
any placards and posters put forth by Mr..
Agunaldo. 1t is clear and consistent from be-
ginning to end. And If there have been any re-
quotations of pledges or changes Of attitude
they have not been on the part Of the United
States.