The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-02-08
DEMAND OF AGONCILL0.
Insists Dip|omatica|Iy That We Say
Whether It is Peace or War.
fIlIPiNOS' WARLIKE ATTITUDE.
A. the Common Enemy has Been Driven
From the Islands, Aguinaldo's Repre-
:: sentative Asks II Our Army and Navy
Are Being Reinforced For the Purpose
Of Making War on the Filipinos.

I" sentative Asks II Our Army and Navy
Are Being Reinforced For the Purpose
of Making War on the Filipinos.
WAsa1SaroS, D. G. Especially D.-Senor
Lopez, secretary to Agoncillo, the Wash
ineton representative OF Aguinaldo, called
at the State Department Tuesday after
noon and lodged with the chief clerk a
communication from Agoncillo, which, ac-
cordlng to the common expectations
marked the critical stage in the Philippine
question.
In his communication Agoncillo calls at
teption to the fact that on January II he
addressed letter to the Secretary Of State
upon the question OF recognition, forward
Ing with It memorandum demonstrating
that according to all American precedents,
the Philippine Republic was entitled to
recognition.
He now desires to call attention to cer-
tain conditions which, In his opinion, re-
quire immediate alienation. There are, ne
says, at the present time 10000 American
of about 800 900. number OF war vessels
are stationed in the harbor, and many
other American mea-of-war and transports
are to be found within the archipelago, al
though the actual possession OF the Anert-
can troops extends over not more than 143
square miles out Of more than 200, 900.
"Despite the enormous forces now In this
extremely circumscribed area" he contin-
ues, "we are informed through the pubic
prints that other vessels OF war have been
ordered from distant parts OF the globe to
&hac falAndS
question, while few days ago transport
sailed from New York carrying about 1000
soldiers, and having Manila as its destina-
tion, and, as we are further informed,
regiments OF troops are under orders TO
proceed by way Of San Francisco to the
Philippines. The public prints inform US
also that an attack Is contemplated upon
the Philippine Islands; the Islands TO De
taken in detail-the smaller ones first, the
larger ones blockaded 80 that they may
not assist those first attacked"
He says that it is naturally the impress
sion OF his Government and people that
these warlike preparations indicate exist
ing or immediate military operarations In
the Orient, and that they readily conceive
that It must be contemplated tt-. 81 a
are to be leyeled at the existing Govern
ment Of the Philippines.
He points out that the Philippines are IN
PSSoOoSAAS
satisfactory to their inhabitants, and With
out IN enemy within their borders Offering
any resistance to its operations, and are at
peace with all the world, and says that,
Notwithstanding the difficulty he labors
under in not having been formally received.
he considers 1t his imperative duty to call
the attention OF the Secretary 20 the dis
turbing conditions he enuperates, to the
end that he may receive such assurances
as Hi i'll satisfy his Government that 1t is not
the intention Of America to make war upon
the new republic, which will explain to 1t
the reason why large armies and nayies
should be dispatched to the Philipplne ISL
ands. and which will relieve his country
men OF the fear that now possesses them
that their liberties are in danger at the
hands Of the Republic whose name they
freedom ard to which they first came for
recognition.
The Government will not take any OH.
cicl notice Of the communication.