Hutchinson gazette., 1899-06-29
FlLlPINO POINT OF VIEW.
NOT AT WAR WITH AMERICAN
PEOPLE.
hat Fighting for Their Liberty Against
the MSkLh hey Government, which
They cj~'" Failed TO Keep tho Solemn
En1Ss emSnta OF Naval oncors.

AS''Si NhNbuh W W. hpuclDlc, ITchl-
dent Of the Filipino committee, with
headquarters at Hong Kong, In reply
to resolutions adopted by Cincinnati
club, protesting against the war;
"It was our object and clearly ex-
pressed intention TO fight for our lib
erty when Agninuldo was landed from
the United States steamer McCulloch
in May lust at Cavcte. We were assured
by responsible officers OF your govern
ment Qncluding Admiral Dewoy) that
we should be granted independence
and protectoralc, that your govern
ment would adopt the same policy
with regard TO us as has been decided
upon for Clba. We hud iu mind, too,
the grand principles upon which your
own government was founded, and 1t
WAS absolutely inconceivNble that the
Mckinley government could possibly
be guilty OF such q direct departure
from the principles Of just government
as to endeavor by force Of arms, by tho
slaughter Of unoifending and friendly
people, TO alch from us the sacred right
OF liberty, the more 80 as Senator II.
G Lodge, In his interesting paper pub
lished in the January QsO7) number OF
the North American Review, entitled
The Meaning OF the Votes, said In
reference 10 voteS cast for President
McKinleyS "The real question finally
developed during the presidential cam
paign waS whether we should hold to
the principles Of government and the
traditions Of our law and order which
have been characteristic OF the Amer
ican people, or whether We should
break down NIL these principles aud
traditions and enter upon new line
of experiment and probably OF revolu-
tion." But imam proposes and the
devil disposes," and the consequence is
that much against our will we find
ourselves forced into the vortex of
war, but not against the people of the
United States. We are fighting against
and shall continue to fight against the
tyrannical government OF the United
States, which has turned deaf ear to
tho bitter cry, the earnest entreaties,
the humble petitions OF the weak and
oppressed We are, and we shall al
ways be, opposed to the whole course
OF the presidents dealings with us,
which VIC consider an outrage upon
our friends (for we have always con-
sidered your people our friendS), the
American people and upon our father
land,
We desire to be on the best Of terms
with your people Of all peoples, 1t is
indeed deeply regrettable that your
government should wage war upon us;
that millions Of dollars and rany val.
liable American lives should be sacr-
feed under what you so aptly describe
as pretense Of suppressing an insur-
rection. We are fighting for our homes,
for all that Is dear to us. II we did not
fight under the circumstances which
are now generally known, and which
herein l have briefly outlined, we
should be giving proof of our utter un-
fitness for self-government. During
the trying period Of six months prior
to the outbreak Of hostilities we car
ricd on self.governmcnt, extended our
rule throughout the provinces and
kept perfect order. There has been no
anarchy except that which has been
created by the overt acts of the Nc.
Kinley government, We have proved
our ability to maintain order in the
provinces, to carry out the post and
telegraph services throughout the
country, and we can conduct the bust.
ness of all departments of government
In manner that would satisfy all the
nations having business relations with
us. But Mr. Mckinley won't give us
an opportunity to demonstrate our
ability. We were kept down by the
Spaniards, and it seems that it is the
desire OF your government to keep us
down,
The blood Of our countrymen has
been freely shed in years gone by in
efforts to emancipnte their country,
and much more will be shed for the
same purpose, for death is preferable
to being held in bondage and slavery,
and to being experimental upon by
amateur colonial administrators
hope, dear sir, that you will put It
very clearly before your countrymen
that the Filipinos do not regard the
American people as their enemies We
do not. We regard them rs our friends,
and we wish to be on friendly terms
with them. 1t is against the actions,
the tyranny, the ruthless invasion of
our country sanctioned by Mr. McNin-
ley and his colleagues, that we protest
by fighting as best VIC can. 1t is a
hard struggle for our little nation
npainst the frreat forces which McKin.