The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-10
The Philippines Determined to Maintain
Their Independence.
AGUINALDOS PROCLAMATION.
American Our
Overthrow of Spanish
Rulea of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Edmunds
Shows the Evil Results An.
ton-.Ci of Called Upon
to TherAr

Manila, January 7.-Within a few
hours after the proclamation issued by
Major General Otis in behalf of Presi-
dent Mckinley, the agents of Aguinal-
do billed Manila with a manifesto
which attracted considerable attention.
The revolutionary president protested
against General Otis signing himself
military governor of the Philippine
islands.
Aguinaldo in his manifesto declared
he had never agreed at Singapore,
Hong Kong or elsewhere, to recognize
the sovereignty of the Americans here
and insists that he returned to the
Philippines on an American ship solely
to conquer the Spaniards and win in
dependence. He asserts that both his
proclamations on May 24th and June
18th stated this fact officially, and he
claims that Major General Merritt con-
firmed this by a proclamation some
days before the Spaniards capitulated,
stating clearly and definitely that the
American forces came to overthrow the
Spanish government anu liberate the
Philippines.
In conclusion Aguinaldo declared
that he had natives and foreigners as
witnesses that the American forces
recognized, not only by acts that the
Philippines were belligerents, but by
publicly saluting the Philippine flag
las it triumphantly sailed these seas
before the eyes of all nations"
Aguinaldo then solemnly protested,
in the name of the Diety who empow-
cred him to direct his brethren in the
difficult task of regeneration, against
the intrusion of the American govern
ment and reiterated that he can pro-
duce proofs that he was brought here
on the understanding that the Ameri-
cans promised him their cooperation
to attain independence.
The revolutionary leader then called
upon all his followers to work together
with force and assures them he is con-
vinced that they will obtain absolute
independence and urging them never
to return from the glorious road on
which they have already so far ad-
vanced."
Major General Otis attaches no i'm
portance to the manifesto. He says he
feels confident that the opinion of the
better classes of the Philippines Is not
expressed in it, but as to whether the
Philippine masses can be controlled
and the Philippine army kept in check,
he does not know, although he hopes
for a pacific outcome Of the trouble.
EX-SENATOR EDMUNDS ON AN
NEXATION.
New York, January 7.-Ex-Senator
George F. Edmunds, in a letter ad-
dressed to The New York World, re-
views the Philippine question at length.
He describes briefly the physical as
poets of the islands and the character
of their inhabitants. The population,
he shows, Is ALREADY denser than that
of the state Of Michigan" and he says
that "of the total of all this conglom-
Grafton of races the Europeans and
Americans compose less than per
cent. after more than two hundred
years Of European occupation"
He claims that the people never
have been and never can be in need of,
or consumers Of American productions
to any appreciable extent"
Dewey's victory, which "astonished
the naval powers of the world, gave us
control of the bay and city of Manila
and it's environments; nearly all be-
yond that was in possession of an or
ganized rebellion against Spain. The
people of the islands who were carry
ing on the rebellion in order to be free
and independent do not desire to be
annexed, and that they intend to resist
annexation appears to be indisputable. y
He then proceeds to show what a war
of conquest would mean, asks how we
can be justified in forcing by the
sword our particular and excellent idea
of government, morality and religion
upon these people, as Mohammed did
in his religious wars and as Spain did
in her early operations in this conti-
nent.""
AS to the status of the Philippines
Mr. Edmunds argues that all of them
who were the subjects Of Spain will
become citizens of the United States
by the mere act of cession," as such
they viii have all the rights that be-
long to other citizens in the terrific
ries."
Judge Edmunds says that congress
therefore, cannot lawfully prevent the
migration OF any citizen residing in the
Philippines to our states, any more
than it cannot lawfully prevent the mi
grafton of the citizens of the states to
the Philippines"
What the Philippines will do to us in
cost, loss of lives, the introduction OF
miltarism, ETC., Judge Edmunds con-
siders a serious aspect of the question
He asserts the complete power of the
senate over the treaty, to amend or
reject, and suggests that it may SO
amend it $50 as to provide substantial
iy, dS the SCHeIIle HAS Utcl DIS 10 CuUd,
that the people of those islands should
be left to govern themselves.
AS to the payment of $20,000,000 for
territory which Spain did not control.
Mr.. Edmunds says that ~in view Of
the gravity Of the other aspects of the
subject it is not worthy of notice"
CUBANS TO- SURRENDER THEIR
ARMS.
| Havana, January 7.-General Lud-