Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-11-25
THE FlLlPIEos CASE In EQUITY

BE FlLIPINOs CASE In EQUITY.
In discussing the report OF the Phil
ppines commissioners, CoLLIER's
WEEKLY OF November 18th after sd-
hitting the validity of our title to the
Philippines says:
but, while we accept as well-found-
ID the primary assertions made by the
Philippines Commissioners, we are not
70 well satisfied with the reply given
)y them to the secondary question,
Was the war with Aguinaldo unRvoida |
Dle7 Is IL obvious that one may
heartily advocate the Embellishments of /
American soveignty over the Philip |
pines AMI yet disapprove OF the par
ticular operations undertaken TO that
end. II we have honestly intended |
from the outset to give the more civil
lized sections Of the Philippines, and
especially Luzon, as large meas
ure OF government IS is conceded
to Mexican half breeds in the terrific
ry OF New Mexico, why were not meas
ures taken betimes to convince the
Filipino leaders OF the sincerity OF
those intentions The deserved as
that they cooparated with our naval
and military forces during the months
that interviewed between Dewey's vlc-
tory at Cavite and the capture OF Ma
Mia"
And again:
THE Philippines Commissioners de-
ny that there was any such coopers
tion: this denial we regard as the
weak feature of their report. The
proof OF cooperation exists in official
documents that have been published.
Thus Mr.. K. Spencer Pratt, United
States CONSUL General at Singapore.
said, under date OF April 80, 1898: 7
had materially assisted the cause OF
the United States in she Philippines by
securing Aguinaldo's cooperation
Why this cooperation should not have
been secured to US before 1 cannot I'm
derstand.' On July 4, 1898. General
T. NJ. Anderson, commanding the
American troops near Manila, address,
ed Aguinaldo, as the commando ar OF the
Filipino forces. in the following terms
| General, Il desire TO have the most ami
cable relations with you, and have You
and your people cooperate with as IN
military operations against the Span
ish forces Two days later he wrote
to Aguinaldo. General: would like
to have Your ExcelleRey's advice and
cooperation, as you are best acQuaint
| ed with the resources OF this country
| In the face OF these documents, how
was il possible for the Commissioner
| 20 assert that there was no coopera
ton Of any kind p"
This question as yet demands an an
swer. And again:
"Ths Commissioners also permi
themselves TO say, No alliance of an,
kind was entered into with AEuinaldo.
II they mean that no formal treaty o
alliance was signed by the UniteS
States on the one hand and Filipin,
provisional government on the othe
the statement is uDdoubtedl,
true but it is a verbal quibble. An al
lance in factF there unque stion abl
was. It is q matter of official evidenc
that admiral, then Commodore, Dew
ey invited AguinAldo to join him. az
him on shore IN Luzon. gave him rife
and ammunition, encouraged him G
organize q provisional government
and accepted his aid for months pre-
ceding the final capture of Manila. A
to the value OF the aid furnished b
Aguir aldo, General Charles A. Viii /
tier has testified that to them wer
surrendered between 1000 and 500
Spaniards, we'll armed, and possesssn
plenty OF ammuhi ion. Gen. Green
, was q witness before the Peaee C,m
4 mission TO the fact that between 2 90
: and COO Spanish soldiers surrend ere
to Aguiualdo's army in June and july
: 1t continually annoyed and harasse
4 the Spaniards in the trenches. keepin
/ them up at night and wearing theI
! out with fatigue. 1t invested Manil
: early in June 80 completely that q
supplies were cut off, and the inhab
tAnIs, as we'll As the Spanish soldier
? were compelled to live on horeefies
i and buffalo meat. Finally, IL capture
the water works and cut off the wat,
supply II this W IS not practical a
lance and effective cooperation, VIII
was 1t ?"
: It reasons correctly when it says:
o "Such being the official testimony
the substantial charaeterof the servici
rendered by Aguinaldo, must he n
be held to have deserved assurances T
!. pecting the purpose OF United Stat
u to give the Tagals the largest possib
% me asure of self-government compai
bic with the affirmance of Americi
sovereignty? It is certain that no SUI
assurances were given, nor have tn
. been given to this hour. although he
?, was q case where the employment
20 diplomacy in preference to war "
clearly the part not OILY OF wisdom b
> of duty. But. say the Commissions
= Aguinaldo would not wait to learn =
~ administrative programme OF 6
Washington Government, and preeiI
D. tated q collision between his fore
~ and the American soldiers. Obvious
single collision need not ha
brought about war, had both aid
q, shown themselves equally DESTROYS
is arriving at 9 good understanding.
20 Q matter of fact, the official data
not justify the assertion that the II
49, haron Aoaetrsefoo The AVuf =