Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-08-11
PLEA TO THE POWERS
Aguiualdo Sends Forth an Ear
nest Appeal
FOREIGN CONSULS GIVEN DOCUMENT.
The Insurgent Chief Asks for Rec.
ognition of Filipino Independ-
ence-No OAlcinl News
\ Mt Washington.


signed by Buencamino. 1t has been re-
oeived by all the foreign consuls in Ma
Mia with the request that they for
ward it to their respective govern
ments.
The Filipinos use their old argument
that they had conquered the sovereign
ty of these islands from Spain before
the signing of the treaty of Paris, and
therefore Spain was in no position to
cede them to the United States. They
argue that the possession of 1000 Span
ish prisoners, captured with their arms,
lighting against the Filipinos, sis elo-
Quent proof of the nullity of Spanish
sovereignty, as when they surrendered
Spain's hold was irrevocably lost"
The document then says:
Replying to the Spanish commissions re-
guests to release the prisoners because
Spain no longer has political interests in
che Islands, we asked for treaty of peace
and friendship between Spain and the Fill
pinos, whereby the prisoners would be re-
leased But, the commissioners refused,
because 1t would mean recognition of our
Independence. This Is equivalent to saying
that the prisoners must stay in our hands
indefinitely. because their possession is our
count with Spain and obtain from her
recognition OF our independence"
Claim They Have Conquered.
The Filipinos claim that they con-
quered all the country except Manila
and that they cooperated in securing
the latter's capitulation by surround
ing it at the cost of thousands of lives.
They also claim they conquered the
country unassisted, except for 60 guns
that Admiral Dewey gave Aguinaldo,
and that Admiral Dewey and the Brit
ish and Belgian consuls recognized the
Filipino sovereignty by asking for
passes to visit the country.
They repeat the claim that they have
letters from American consuls and
generals recognizing their sovereignty,
and promising that the Americans
would recognize their independence,
(which was at the disposition of the
powers"
The Filipinos attempt to make cap
ital of the statement that Admiral
Dewey had such confidence that
Aguinaldo would observe and fulfill
the rules of war that he gave him
American navy had captured.
Finally, the Filipinos appeal to the
powers to influence Washington to
bring to a termination "the unjust war
which is devastating the country"
The News Mt Washington.
Washington, Aug. 9. = The state de-
partment is entirely without informa-
ton as to any address by Aguinaldo to
foreign powers for the recognition of |
the Filipinos, either as belligerents or
as constituting an independent govern
ment. The appeal is looked upon, how
ever, as creating no particular change,
as it has been the desire of Aguinaldo
and his associates from the first to Sc
cure such recognition. The appeal
puts this desire into rather formal |
shape, and it may bring to an issue the
attitude of outside governments.
There is no apprehension, however,
that any foreign government will heed |
the address. The international usage
as to recognition was quite fully de-
veloped during the Cuban instruction, |
at which time the question was ex-
haustively discussed in congress and |
was the subject of lengthy considera-
ton in the messages of the president.
The general view at that time was that
recognition of belligerency was not in
itself casus belli. Up to the present
time there has been no intimation to
the state department that any foreign
power entertained even the remotest
idea OF giving recognition to Aguinaldo
and his associates. On the contrary.
there has been most friendly feeling
maintained between this government
and foreign powers throughout the
Philippine conflict. The state depart
ment does not share the apprehension
which is said to have arisen amono
army officers that China has given in
direct recognition to the Filipinos
This apprehension grew out of a re-
port from Gen. Otis that horses could
not be secured for cavalry use from
China because they We're "contraband
OF war. AT the state department it is
SAID that the matter has not assumed a
form involving the recognition of
state of war, but that Minister Conoer
reports China's course is due entirely
TO certain domestic regulations prohib-
1tlng the expectation of horses or 20
MES.
The Foreign ConsuIs.
The course which the foreign consu,s
at Manila will pursue in connection
with Agninaldo's communication is ,
matter OF some conjecture among off
ciais here AT the state department
there is no disposition to limit the con.
suis III forwarding the appeal to their
respective governments. As rule Il
is quite unusual for consuls HOLDING
eSequaturs from friendly govern
ment, and having official relation with
H. 10 carry on communication with an
leader. But il is appre-
clated that in this case the consuls are
the innocent victims of AguinaIdo's
letter writing. As military authority
s supreme In the Philippines, any oues-
ions arising as to the course of the
,onsuls would probably be referred to
zen. Otis, but there is no intimation
aere that he has been advised of the adj
iress, or that he will have any obiec
ions to its transmission by the consuls.
is rather expected, however, that the
onsuls will take occasion to advise
1th the military authorities as to the
roprieties of the situation before TAX !
lg final action.
She1led Defenseless Town.
Manila, Aug. 2, via Hong -Kong.-The
unboat Napidan last week shelled
aete, on the lake, near Santa Cruz.
he town was full of people who had