Austin's Hawaiian weekly. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1899-190?, 1899-06-17

prominent general, with the American forces in
the Philippines is quoted as saying that it would
take 100000 men to whip Aguinaldo if he
could command perfect harmony in his army.
There can be no doubt of this but the successive
victories of the Americans is having the effect
of disintegrating Agunaldo's forces. But the
tilipinos have gained their point. President Nc
kinley is now willing to treat with them and is
busying himself with plan of liberal govern
nent tor the Philippines and there can be no
doubt that these plans will be far more liberal
to the Filipinos than they would have been it
Aguinaldo had not fought to obtain justice and
right
President mckinley was disposed to throw
the whole Philippine question upon Congress anu
that body having adjourned without dennlte ac-
ton he would doubtless have waited until the
meeting OF next Congress before acting, had 1t
not been tor the Philippine war. 1t is not al all
unlikely that before TINS issue goes to press an
arinistlce Will have been arranged between Agun-
aldo and General Otis, pending negotiations, and
Definite statement OF the benevolent intentions
OF the United States toward the tlllpnos. But
1t is highly probable that General Agulnaldo and
his long-surering followers Will nave to wait
eight or nllle months under arms before obtain
ing satisfaction president Mckinley is planning
a trip to California ostenslDly to ascertain the
sentiment OF the American people upon the policy
OF expansion. While the President is indulglng
his pulse-feeling mania the tlllplnos VIII nave
to wait and the time will thus be killed between
this and the next meeting OF Congress. VIII the
Fllipnos wait this long or will they deem 1t neces-
sary to begin hostlltles again to compel the Unit
ed states TO formulate definite policy!
In time OF war the President OF the United
States is endowed with as much power as the
Gar OF all the Russias concerning the movemenl
OF armies and making treaties with the foe. Why
mas not this power been invoked to treat with
Aguinaldo! Evidently because the President
tears the loss OF popularity by abatng the arro-
gance OF the American policy its relations with
what we are pleased to term inferior races Ii
the Flllplnos are to be American citizens the
United States has not undertaken the most char
liable way OF teaching them that all men are
free and equal"
What are the facts in the case? At the request
OF an American representative Aguinaldo raised
an army in the Philippines to assist Admiral
Dewey IN whipping the Spaniards and valianty
did he do his work. He defeated the enemy in
many battles and took thousands of prisoners
When the war was over between the United
States and Spain obedient to the request OF his
great ally he stopped fighting and awaited results
10 his probable surprise and chagrin the question
OF sovereignty over the Philippines was left open
tor decision by the Peace Commission The only
thing left wise leader was to demand independ-
ence tor his people. If the Peace Commission
decided that the sovereignty of the islands should
remain with Spain he would be in position to con-
tlnue the fight for freedom from Spanish rule
It the United States did not want the islands the
Peace Commission might have granted his de-
inand for independence. If the sovereignty of the
islands was to be held by the United States he
in @-lL-