The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-23
MONDAY. JANUARY %, Is
,cuinnldn,s ENJOYS.

tguinaldo's ENJOYS.
To Washington nave come three men Of
Philippine birth. but OF European educa-
ton. 10 ask for the recognition of the
Philippine government OF which General
Aguinaldo is the head. Their visit 10 this
country has, TO doubt. grown out OF the
noise made by the few antiquated Federal
lists who oppose the ratification of the
Treaty of Peace. 1t may be a profitable
visit for themselves and the people who in
habit their native islands, but there is no
more chance of success in their mission
Inan Of the ultimate possession of the Phil
ippines by Germany. All their efforts in
that direction viii be a clear waste What
ever may be the final destiny of these ISL
ands, it is positive that there will be no
recognition of Aguinaldo, no early consid-
Grafton of the question of independence
and no other pledge than the honor of the
American Republic. which is already the
surety OF the Filipinos for the utmost
political freedom they are fitted 10 enjoy
These men assert that nowhere through
out the islands is there any other au-
thority or sovereignty acknowledged
save that which they represent. Yet
this Government has very fun and
exact information respecting the stu
a-ion there. and it is impossible that it
should be mis!ed in any particular 1t is
positively known that the most important.
II not the most numerous, part OF the Fill
iPinos are restrained by force alone from
giving glad allegiance TO the American Tag.
The circumstances of AguinaIdo's accession
TO American officials and the public.
Having been brought 10 Admiral Dewey By
one Of our eonsuls. he was supposed b.
his countrymen TO be subordinate to and
in harmony with the American commander.
Il was under this belief ard with no sug-
gestion of independence that his army
about Manila was enlisted. Later, perhaps
al the insugation of the restless agents OF
Germany. he conceived the idea Of setting
himself up as dictator with all the po.np
OF an absolute monarch OF a savage race.
There was no election, 70 pretenae that
any OF the leading Filipinos had been. con-
suited. but only an unauthorized and arbi-
trary assumption Of kingship The alleged
government of which he processes TO be
the head was instituted by himself after
he was able to oyerawe all opposition bv
force that was armed and equipped partly
through American and partly through Ger
man aid II is the opinion of all who have
visited the islands and know the facts that
the people are divided, but there is no doubt
that if they were free TO speak large pro-
portion. including men of property, would
favor permanent American administration.
&
up of class that is least entitled TO con-
sideration in questions OF government, be-
ing lawless by nature.
The ENJOYS of the rebel chief viii
soon learn that they have been mis-
led b. the clamor of the New England
provincislists and by the misrepresenta-
tion Of the Democratic party by the Senate
minority The Treaty will be ratified
without conditions for the American Deo-
pie are virtually unanimous on the subject
of the Philippines. They have listened to
their own representatives and TO others
as well, and while they are resolved 10
consider the welfare of the Filipinos, they
do not intend TO condemn them to the
horrors Of an impossible independence at
this moment Mr.. Ramon Reyes Lala is
man of Philippine birth and Euro
pean education, Eaturalized American
citizen, who has published book on the
Islands. OF his race he speaks proudly
and that they have great future he fully
believes. But" he says, Il cannot dis
guise to myself the conviction that we are
not yet ready for independence More
especially because the Filipinos have not
raj sell
possessed by the founders Of the American
Republic. And apprehend that. intoxi-
Gated with their new-found liberty, the
Filipinos might perpetrate excuses that
would prove fatal 10 the race" That is
the voice of man who is more entitled
10 hearing than the personally interested
seif-secking politicians in the Philippines.
He repeats what all American officers
who have been there have asserted. Il
feel all this the more when ] consider that
the revolutionary eaders-Aguinaldo and
his companions-do not represent the best
classes OF my oountTymeD who almost
without exception, are for protectorate
OF for annexation He makes this appeal.
IN the interests Of the whole people:
Give American protectora.e: territorial
government; the Judiciary, the customs and the
eSecnti'e in the hands Of Federal officials; the
interior and domestic administration in tie hand.
~ The tilipinos Themselves. And their self-sc.
lec,ed officials viii rule undaIs;andinely and well,
without friction, which would be wholly i.npos.
sibe for alien iuneiioEaries begotten OF Western
civilization.
This is what II is the purpose of the
President to do with the Philippines. and
1t is TO delay the beginning OF this that the