The record-union., 1899-10-02
Into the Field Of Diplomacy Proves a
Failure.
General Otis Is Willing to Corre-
spond With Him as General of
the Insurgents, but Will Not
Recognize Him as President of
Republic = Filipinos Think
They Can Wear Us Out by Their
Fighting.

MANILA, Oct. IL p. m.-Aguinal-
dos third attempt to shift his difficult
ties into the field of diplomacy is a
repetition of the other one or two, with
an impossible endeavor to obtain some
sort of recognition of his so-called Gov.
ernment-
The Filipino ENJOYS had an hours
conference with General Otis this
morning. They brought from Aguin-
aldo a message that he desired peace
and wished to send a civilian govern
mental commission to discuss the queS-
ton. General Otis replied that it was
impossible for him to recognize Aguin-
aldos Government in that way.
They presented a letter from Aguin-
aldo as president of the Republic,
which was largely a repetition OF, his
recent appeals for recognition. General
Otis informed them that while he was
willing to correspond with Aguinaldo
as General Of the insurgent forces, he
must positively decline to recognize
him as President of the civil Govern
ment.
Another conference will be held to-
morrow.
1--WE desired peace, but peace with
independence and honor" said GEN
eral Alejandrino to-day, while convers-
ing with a. representative OF the Asso-
ciated Press. He impresses one as dig
nified and dispassionate, and a keen
man of the world. He was educated
in Europe, and designed the remark
able intrenchments from Manila to Tar
lac. While reticent concerning his
mission, his conversation throws an
interesting light on the Filipino view
of the American attitude.
How long can the Filipino army and
people withstand $4,000 American
troops?" asked the representative OIL
the Associated Press.
Fighting in our way, we can main
tain a state of war and the necessity
of a large army of occupation lnde1-
initely You Americans are holding
few miles around Manila, a narrow line
of railroad to Angeles and circle OF
country around San Fernando. But
you are ignorant of the resources OF
Luzon. We hold the rich, immense,
productive northern country from
which to draw. Our people contribute
the money and food which maintain
our army, and this is done at a mini,
mum of cost.
1T is an interesting question what
the cost to the American people is OF
maintaining the American troops in the
Philippines. We do not, of course,
know the amount, but it must be ex-
cessive. We perceive what an Amerl-
can soldier requires in this climate. On
the other hand Filipino exists with
a handful of rice and pair of linen
trousers. We do not have to pay our
soldiers. and can practically hold uP
their wages as long as we desire.
Even without our present supply OF
arms and ammunition we could keep
your army occupied for years.
with an expense that grows daily,
how long will your people stand it?
The Filipino people do not wish to con-
tinue the lighting. We have no army
contractors. We have no business men
making profits from the maintenance
of our army. There is nothing in it for
us. or are our salaries large enough TO
keep us fighting for money and posi-
tion.'
Discussing the question of a recog-
milton by the United States OF the So
called Filipino Government, General
Aleiandrino said: THE freedom of the
American prisoners who have just been
turned over to you was decreed by
the Filipino Congress. Your Govern,
ment accepted them. 1t will doubtless
accept any others that our Government
may Offer
He inquired concerning the percent
age of sick American troops, and when
informed he said he considered it small.
He asked a number of questions indl-
eating a hope of anti-imperialist action
by the United States Congress, and in
ouired what would bevthe effect on the
national policy if Congress should de-
clare itself opposed to the prosecution
of the war, and whether anti-imperial-
ist sentiment was growing in the Unit
ed States. He also made several in
ouiries regarding the nature and effect
of a. ioint resolution in Congress.