Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-01-24


Spanish PrisOners-Also Demands vati-
can Recognition and Expects to Reopen
Hostilities Right Away - Washington
Loses No Sleep. However-Agoncillo's
Attorneys: Statement-Gomez Nursing
His Wounded Feelings.
Madrid, Jan. PA telegram received
here from Manila says the insurgent
congress at Malolos has authorized the
release of all civil prisoners. and will
shortly cause to be liberated the mill
tary prisoners held by the revolution
lists. Premier Sagasta, however, declares
that Aguinaldo has made the liberation
Of the Spanish prisoners in the Philip
pine islands conditional upon Spain
recognizing the Philippine republic and
allying herself thereto. Agu.naldO, il is
added. has similarly demanded the
Naticans recognition of the Philippine
republic. a dispatch from Manila says:
THE time in which the insurgents have
allowed the Americans to recognize
their independence expires tomorrow.
and hostilities are expected to reopen.
Aguinaido has requested the Vatican
10 send a commission to negotiate for
the release of the clericals."
Filipino Junta Is Talking.
London, Jan. 24.-The Philippine junta
here has received dispatches saying that
If Agoncillo, one of AguinaldO's ENJOYS
at Washington, is not received by the
United States government within few
days Aguinaldo will recall him to Ma
nila and suspend relations with the
United States. thus removing an i'm
portant medium for arriving at peace
ful understanding" The junta's ad-
vices also assert that Large numbers of
the American troops are fraternizing
with the natives, and that many of
them are engaged to Filipino girls.
Not To BE Tolerated.
Washington. Jan. 24.-It is not to be
supposed for a moment that the Span
ish government, no matter how desirous
of securing the release of the prisoners
more speedily than could be accom-
plished through the efforts of the Unit
ed States government, will enter into
any alliance with the insurgents. 1t
could not be tolerated that Spain should
enter into any sort of an alliance with
people who are in rebellion against the
United States. The officials here are
not moved by the reported threat of the
Filipino junta in Europe to withdraw
Agoncillo and his fellow ENJOYS from
Washington if they are not speedily
recognized officially. While Agoncillo
has been well treated Informally he has
not been recognized by the government,
and it may be stated positively that he
will not be. The Filipino representa-
tives here are not prepared at this time
to state when their efforts to obtain
recognition for the Aguinaldo govern
ment are to cease.
Says the Filipinos Have a Good Case.
Mr.. Ralston. one of the attorneys who
has been engaged by the ENJOYS as
counsel, said in an interview yesterday
that the Filipinos have come here to do
all they can to secure their recognition
as nation. Their case he declared is a
good one. as the Filipino government
has won for itself the practical control
OF all the Philippine islands. Ralston
said the Filipinos want independence
and they would be prepared to defend
IL against any other foreign power
which would find them as difficult to
subdue as would the United States
The envoys," he stated, are here not
to form junta, not as agitators, not
to prevent ratification of the treaty,
but as diplomatic representatives of
their government. The natives do not
favor annexation and only a certain
class in Manila desire il. Even those
are less than they,were six months ago
The delegates are here to secure the
recognition of absolute independence
and less will not satisfy them. Within
a week they will be able to make an
official statement as to their claims
and policy"