The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-25
AgnncilIo was a Prophet.

In his communication to the Secretary
of State to-day Senor Agoncillo calls at
eention to the fact that on Jan. Il he ad-
dressed a letter to him on the question of
recognition, forwarding with it a memo
randum demonstrating that according to
all American precedents the Philippine
republic was entitled to recognition, and
in the same letter invited the attention of
the secretary to the present strained rela-
tions at Manila, where over-zeal on either
side might create a condition resulting in
grevious loss of life, and urging the ne
cessty of an early and frank communica-
ton between the representatives of the
two countries.
He further calls attention to the fact
that since his letter was written the very
circumstances he feared have brought the
two countries to the edge of war, and
says that the language used by him was
so prophetic that subsequent facts have
amply justified its employment.
He now desires to call the attention Of
the secretary to certain conditions. which
in his opinion, require immediate alIevia-
ton. There are, he says, at the present
time, 10000 American troops at Manila
controlling population of about 100000.
Looks Like War to Him.
"A number of war vessels are stationed
in the harbor and many other American
men-of-war and transports are to be found
within the archipelago, although the ac-
tual possession Of the American troops
extends over not to exceed 143 square
miles out of more than 2O0.0O0''
Despite the enormous forces in this ex-
tremely circurnseribed area, I'VE are in
formed, through the public prints. that
other vessels of war have been ordered
from distant parts of the globe to rein
force those now among the islands in
question, while a few days q go transport
sailed from New York carrying about 2. 900
soldiers and having Manila as it's destin-
ation 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 Philippines; the islands to be taken
in detail, the smaller ones first. and the
larger islands to be blockaded that they
may not aid those first attacked"
Does Not Desire Trouble.
He says it is naturally the impression
of his government and people that these
warlilSe preparations Indicate existing or
immediate military operations in the
Orient. and they readily conceive that il
must be contemplated that such operations
are to be leveled at the existing govern
ment of the Philippine Islands.
AS the representative Of the Philippine
government, he continues:
Il hesitate to give adhesion to this idea,
for I cannot believe that there is any
present or future difficulty between the
American and Philippine government JUS
tifying warllke acts, and as a believer in
the humanity of the American people, re-
fuse to acquiesee in the idea that America
designs war on the Philippine Islands"
He points out the fact that but lately
the United States and the Philippine gov
ernment have been associat ted In a con-
conflict against common enemy, the
United States accomplishing its purpose
by the expulsion of Spain from the West
Indies while the desire of the Philippine
republic has been practically attained by
the almost complete expulsion of the
Spanish government from the Philippine
governments; the Philippine government
now holding as prisoners Of war between
5000 and 10000 Spanish soldiers, and the
Spanish possessing only small garrison
in Isolated points of minor importance.
Can Not Understand II.
He is therefore. unable to conceive anv
reason why the armies and navies OF the
United States, lately employed against
common enemy, should be turned against
Americas recent associate. The United
States, he says, has no active enemy N
the Orient. having proclaimed an armistice
with Spain.
lie points out that the Philippine Islands