The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-06
OUR RIGHTS RECOGNIZED.
Opinion of Foreign Legations on the
Philippine Outbreak.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Sat the various
foreign embassies and legations the news
of an outbreak at Manila aroused the keen
est interest and it was discussed in all it's
international bearings. AT the British,
French and other embassies most directly
interested no official word had been received,
and the press advices were being relied, on
for information. These were sufficient to
satisfy diplomatic officials that a very grave
situation was presented. In the main, how
ever. the foreign opinion was optimistic as
to the ability of the United States to sue
cessfully cope with this instruction, al
though one eminent diplomatic official re-
garded it as foreshadowing a series of
colonial conflicts.
AS to its International bearings a leading
member of the diplomatic corps said the out
break made two things quite clear; namely,
that no foreign power could or would in
tervene or exert any influence in the Phil
ippines, and second, that foreign govern
ments would now recognize in this overt act
of the Filipinos that the United States was
justified in using strong repressive
measures. So long as the Filipinos re-
manned in a passive attitude of resistance,
it was pointed out, there might be some
justification for foreign sympathy with
them. But if this advanced to an aggressive
attitude, and the killing of American SOL
Giers, this official expressed the belief that
foreign governments would take the view
always taken under such circumstances
that an onslaught leading to the killing of
the citizens or soldiers of a country called
for the most summary redress. The idea
that the Filipinos could hope for recognition
from any foreign power was dismissed.
T. - -Ag1 4l-AE l. &C., e c@--.--
war ships at or near Manila are two Brit
ish, one German and one French. These
could be quickly augmented, however, from
the large squadrons which the several pow
ers maintain in Asiatic waters. but the Off
Gals here do not apprehend there will be
airy occasion for extending protection to
foreign residents, the only use to which
these vessels could be put. Such protection,
it is said, would be given only as a last re-
sort, as it might be construed by this coun-
try as an assertion of its inability to main
tain order and protect persons and property.
The dispatch from Madrid stating that the
Spanish government, acting through the
French embassy here, had asked for COM
pensation for the failure of this government
to secure the release of Spanish prisoners,
is not borne out by anything received at the
Oldl6 DOpdI lAllC4lN W ~ ne pi GSCIAL illiC
M. Thiebaut, the French charge d'affaires,
is just recovering from a serious illness. and
he has had no recent dealings with the State
Department relative to the Spanish prison
ers. Prior to his illness he submitted a
number OF requests in behalf of the Span
ish government. These In the main asked
for the release of the prisoners and pointed
out the extreme cruelty, resulting in some
cases in death, with which the Tagals
treated the prisoners. The responses of this
government nave been that the statements
of cruelty were believed to be exaggerated,
as the reports from the American officers
did not show any such condition of affairs.
When the Madrid authorities pressed for
early release of their people, they were in
formed that the President was giving the
subject earnest consideration and that he
had cabled to General Otis for Informal
ton. This is the status Of the negotiations
up to the present time and there has been
no suggestion that Madrid wanted COM
pensation for the failure to deliver the
Spanish prisoners.