The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-16

| ton Of the United States government Ia
| li.aw from tho PHILIPPINES SO much OF the
1 military fierce of the island MS possible
| and consistent with a free and we'll consti-
| tutod government Of the country. aud II Il
any desire tn inaugurate policy OF that
| character am also convinced that Ii
| is the intention OF the United States gov
| eminent to seek the establishment OF q
| most liberal government for the islands,
| in which the people themselves shall have
| as full representation us the maintenance
Of law and order will pormit and which
| shall he susceptible Of development on
lines OF increased representation and the
bestowal of increased powers. into a gov
ernment free and independent, las Is en-
ioyed by the most favored provinces in
the world.
1T will be my constant endeayor 10
cooperate with the PHILIPPINE people. seek
ing the good OF tho country, and invite
their full confidence and aid"
In response to the concillatory prucla-
nation OF Major General Otis Agulnaldo
issued an official manifesto. in which he
said
General Otis calls himself, in the proc
lamation referred to- military governor
cf the Philippine islands aud l protest
once and thousand times and with all
the energy of my soul, against such atl-
thority. | solemnly proclaim that ] have
never had--neither in Singapore, nor IN
Hong Kong, nor here in the Philippines
any understanding or agreement, either
by word or by writing, To recognize the
sovereignty OF America in this my loved
country. On the contrary, | say that |
returned to these Islands OH board an
American warship on the 18th of May Of
last year with the decided and manifest
purpose TO carry on the war with the
Spaniards to rcconquer our liberty and
our Independence.
I'm fha nrprjamutiou IF General Otis
he aludes TO instruction sent TO him by
his excellency. the president of the United
States, referring to the administration OF
anairs in the Philippine islands. ! solomnly
protest in tho name OF God. the root and
foundation of all justice and all right and
Who has given to me power TO direct my
brethren in the difficult work of our re-
generation, against this intrusion OF the
government of the United States IN the
sovereignty Of these islands. Equally I
protest in the name of all the Philippine
people against this intrusion, because when
they gave their vote of confidence, olecting
me- though unworthy, as president Of the
nation when they did this they imposed
IN me the duty to sustain 10 the death
their liberty and Independence. lastly, |
protest against this act sc little expected
of the sovereignty of America in these
isles. IN the name of all that has passed,
of which ] have proofs In my possession,
referring TO my relation with the Amer
lean authorities, which prove IN the most
unequivocal manner that the United States
did not bring me from Hong Kong to make
war against the Philippines to benefit the
Americans, but to help us to gain our ib-
erty and Independence, for the attainment
OF which object the American authorities
promised me verbally their decided and
efficacious corporation; and so you must
understand, my dear brothers. that united
by bonds which ii viii be impossible to
break, such Ia the idea of our liberty and
our absolute independence which have been
our noble aspirations all must work to-
gether 10 arrive at this happy end with
the force which gives confidence already
felt among the people TO never turn back
in the road OF glory on which we have al
ready so far advanced.
(Siened) Emilio Agunaldo."
On January a second proclamation
TO have been issued by Aguin-
aldo was published 1t contained the state
ments that If the Americans attempted to
Move from Manila into the interior or
attempted TO occupy the Vlzcayas, this act
would be considered rs q declaration OF
war and The Philippines would Immediate
ly begin their fight for independence. The
publication of this proclamation was pro-
bibited as far as possible In Manila, on
account of its lnoendiary nature.