New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-28
WATCHING AGONCHLO.
HE DENIES THAT HE ADVISED AGUI.
NALDO TO FIGHT
KEEPING THE FILIPINO ENVOY UNDER
CLOSE SURVEILLANCE.

Washington Jan 27-The officials Of the State
Department are silent respecting the treatment
10 be given to Agoncillo. the representative here
Of Aguinaldo although Il IS known that he
has been under surveillance ever since his ar
rival in this city and that /, was learned that
he was In correspondence over the cables with
his chief. generally through some one OF the
Filipino juntas in Hong Kong London or Paris.
Whether any telegram has been actually inter-
cepted cannot be learned
There good ground. also for the belief
that Agoncillo was receiving advices from GER
tain persons inimical to the policy the Presi-
dent has adopted for the treatment Of the
Philippine question at this stage. This had been
tolerated reluctantly by the Administration
rather than 10 make en- open issue Of what is
still d case possible ot adjustment. The publ
cation TWO days ago Of what proved 10 be a
good abstract. with exact quotations. Of the
letter left tho day preceding the publication by
Agoncillo's secretary at the State Department
likewise Wah resented as a notable breach OF
official decorum. The first inclination Of the
officials afte} this publication was to get rid o.
Agoncillo. out they We're unwilling TO take any
action in advance Of the, Seietes vote on the
Peace Treaty. especially as action might IN
volve passing on certain legal and diplomatic
points a. 10 which it Is desir'd not 10 establish
a precedent at this time
AGONCILLOs DENIAL.
Administration officials believe the general
tenor Of the advces Agoncilio has sent to his
principals has been in the lin OF admonition 10
hold off from the acc eptance 4 any terms from
General Otis in view OF the prospect that the
Peace Treaty might fail in tre Senate.
Agonciuo authorized the following statement
to-day concerning & published report that the
Government had intercepted dispatches from
him to Agunaldo in which ne advised that the
FiIpiros would have 70 hgrt for their inde-
pendence and that now was the time TO act;
The statement IS absolutely false, and is cal
ctllated 70 excite feeling and animosty IN TINS
country and TO prejudice the Philippine cause
No such telegram has ever been sent py me,
and for that reason no sucn JelesI am coulu
have been intercepted The IA sity Of the state
ment is shown by the fact that l nave caoIeu
my Government to continue the same lrIehu-
ship which was born on the battleheld agalhss
Spain The Philippine peopls have no wish ana ana
no purpose 10 fight against the Americans un-
less they are driven 70 IT, Their only desire Is
10 strengthen the bonds now existing
Other members Of the Philippine Junta who
we're present when Agoncillo made his state
menr concurred in what he said. and empna-
sized the latter's declaration that all his ad-
vices had been toward an avoidance OF rupl-
ure. In other quarters it was said that Agon-
clio had sent dispatches from time to time
three rather long ones going within the last
few days. According TO the Filipinos. nothing
that has been sent advised fighting. but every
thing has counselled continued friendship. Un-
der such circums tances, the members OF the
Jurta assert that any incrlnhnatlng 1!spdtC"
Srhfch mas come into the hands of the Govern
rnent is a forgery II il ascribes TO AGonclllo
any advice 70 Aguinaldo q begin lighting. Be,
yond denying this report Agonclllo sald ne nd1
1otbing 70 mako public as 10 communications
70 or from Agunaldo. He expressed the posi-
tive opinion, however that the cable report that
the Filipino Congress had authorized decara-
ton OF war was not correct, as ne says the
Fuipino people do not want a conflict WIN the
Americans. and will do everything possloIe 70
avoid H.