The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-03-10
MISTAKE OF
INSURGENTS
Rebel Sympathizers In Hong
kong DeplOre the Out
break at Manila.
ALL QUIET AT lilo ILO|
ohlIIIiISncS nave UCCufTeo III Inc
Outskirts, but Nothing Seri-
Gus Has Happened.
AMERICAN BANK FOR MANILA
Corporation Now Being Organized In
New York Change iB Command
AZ Manila March 27.

HONG KONG. via san Francisco
March 9.-In an interview with the Asso.
eiated Press correspondent John Bar
rctt late United States minister 10
Siam. wno is passing through Hong
kons en- route home, said
This collision OF forces al Manila IL
the most disastrous thing tnat could have
happened 20 tho Filipino cause OF indie
pendence. and they themselves. that is
the leading representative OF Agu!naldo
here and the so-cailed luuta, renllze II
ana cannot AT the moment understaud IL
They have come TO me almost with tears
In their eyes asking FOR details of the
conflict and seeking some legitimate ex-
PLANTATION and excuse FOR the report, d
beginning OF the fray By the natives
Tclegrams have been pouring ln on them
from their agents IN America and In
Europe asking for the Filipino side OF
the story. Du, they are unable 10 answer
aud cannot Communlcaic with Agulnaldo
or The insuTgenl only a few days ago
they assured me that their leaders would
not allow any attack TO 10 begun upon
the American forces and would even
avoid a threatening attitude rather than
shoulder the responsibility OF a conflict.
They asked me to so inform my friends
In congress to this effect, as well as 10
wrlic to Admiral Dewey and General
Otis. Therefore. when 1 asked the local
leaders 10 give reasons for the outbreak
they stated with great carnesmess that
II must have been due df begun by the
natives, which they do not like TO ac-
knowledge TO the momentary influence
OF the war party or most radical ele-
ment, and that Aguinaldo himself could
not have favored or supported the action
OF the Filipino troops The long contln-
ance OF the fghting they say would be
accounted for by the masses OF Filipino
soldiers practically being beyond all con-
troll OF officers after the battle had really
begun and being inspired with the blind
hope OF driving the American soldiers
into Manila as they had formerly the
Spaniards.
Now that the treaty Is ratified right
after their reckless opening OF hostli-
ties. the Filipino leaders are almost
and are completely at
loss as TO their future policy. They can
didly admit that he worst blow possible
has been struck at their prospects. one
even confessed to me that the very best
thing they could do now was TO disbani.
disarm and quietly Yield 20 American
control, trusting that full justl would
eventually be done them As he is a man
OF high standing l hope his influence
may count with Aguinaldo and his fol-
lowers.
'"The Filipino leaders have always been
kindly disposed toward me and frank In
their discussions, because knew them
here and in the Philippines, and when
they have talked over matters with me
| have invariably counseied them to ac-
cept American jurisdiction pending
necessary investigation OF what would be
the best kind OF government for the
and to remain confident that the
president and people Of the United States
would see that justice was done them
After my address delivered q few
nays ago on tue t-uhlppilS SltuuNVuH dt
the request OF leading men OF Hong !
Kong, and at which many F1liplnos were |
present some of these came to me and !
assured me that they would accept my |
advice to keep calm and patiently await |
he results Of the Philippine commits |
'loners' investigation, Now they say |
heir influence was powerless TO stay the
'adica element at Manila and the rest
essness Of their army l have always |
lad much sympathy for the Filipinos !
md regarded them as comparing most
avorably with Asiatlc natives, hoping
hat with the guidance and control OF
,ur American government, they would
iolve at least an autonomous govern
nent that would relieve us Of the great
and difficulties OF direct
government. and l am still hopeful that
hese clouds and storms may be only
emporary and a happy solution OF the
,reat problem successfully reached"