The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-01-27
ACONCILLO'S CLAIMS
Filipino Representative Ask
For Immediate Attention.
PREDICTIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED
He Says the Philippines Are Now
Possessed of "a Government Pleas
ing to the Inhabitants md Mt
Peace With All the World.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-In his COM
munication to the secretary of state
yesterday Senior Dcl Felipe Agoncillc
calls attention to the fact that on Jan
IL he addressed a letter to him upon
the question of recognition, forwarding
with it a memorandum demonstrating
that. according to all American prece-
dents, the Philippine republic was en-
titled to recognition and in the same
letter invited the attention of the sec
retary to the present strained condi-
tions at Manila, where overzeal on Ell
ther side might create a condition re-
sulting in grievous loss of life and urg-
ing the necessity of an early and frank
communication between the representa-
tives of the two countries. He further
calls attention to the fact that since his
letter was written the very circum-
stances he feared have brought the two
countries to the verge of war and says
that the language used by him was SO
! prophetic that subsequent facts have
mostly justified its employment.
He now desires to call the attention
& of the secretary TO certain conditions
which, in his opinion, require immedi-
ate alleViation. There are. he says, at
the present time 10000 American troops
at Manila, controlling a population of
about 200. A number of war vessels
are stationed in the harbor and many
nther American men-of-war and trans
ports are to be found within the ar
chipelago. although the actual possess
sion of the American troops extends
over not to exceed 143 square miles out
OF more than 100000. Despite the enor-
nous forces now in this extremely cir
cumscribed area I'VE are informed
through the public prints that other
vessels of war have been ordered from
distant parts of the globe to re-enforce
s those now among the islands in ques-
4 tion, While a few days ago a transport
sailed from New York carrying about
1000 soldiers and having Manila as its
destination, and as we are further in
formed regiments Of troops are under
orders to proceed by way OF san Fran
cisco TO the Philippines. The public
prints inform us also that an attack is
contemplated upon the Philippine Is
lands, the islands to be taken in de-
tail, the smaller ones first and the
larger ones blockaded so that they may
not assist those first attacked"
He says that it is naturally the inn
preston Of his government and people
that these Warlike preparations indicJt.
existing or immediate military opera
tions in the orient, and they readily con-
ceive that IT must be contemplated that
such operations are to be leVCled ct tn"
existing government of the PhIpp nes
"As the representative Of the Philip-
pine government" he continues Il hes
itate to give adhesion to this idea. for
! cannot believe that there is any pres
ent or future difficulty between the
American and Philippine governments
Justifying Warlike activity, and as be-
liever in the humanity of the American
people / refuse to acquiesce in the dea
that America has designs on the Philip
pine Islands"
He points out the fact that but lately
the United States and the Philippine
government have been associated in
conflict against a common enemy. thu
United states accomplishing it's purpos
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 o the
Spanish government from the Philip
pine Islands, the Philippine government
holding as prisoners of war between
5000 and 10000 Spanish soldiers and the
Spanish possessing only a few small
garrisons in isolated points of minor
Importance
He is therefore unable to conceive any
reason why the army and navy of the
United States. lately employed against
q common enemy. should be turned
against Americas recent associate.
The United States, he says. has no
active enemy in the orient. having pro
claimed an armistice with Spain. 1t is
true, he continues, that Spain has un-
dertaken to convey to the United States
its alleged claim against the Philippines
Ia claim which Spain was not capable
of enforcing and which never found its
origin in the consent of the people or
those Islands. He inquiries. Are my
government and people to be left to
suppose that it is because of some de-
sire on the part of the American gov
ernment to enforce against its late as
sociate this exploded claim that the
United States is massing it's forces at
the late capital of the Philippines?"
He points out that the Philippines are
in a state Of order, possessing a govern
ment satisfactory to their inhabitants
and without an enemy within their bor-
erations and are at peace with all the
world.
He is sure the secretary of state will
appreciate. in view of the circumstances
detailed, the quieting, reassuring effect
upon the minds of his countrymen to
result from a disclaimer upon the part
OF the American government of any in
tention to attack their liberties and in
dependence
Continuing. he says that notwith-
standing the difficulty he labors under
In not having been formally received he
considers it his imperative duty to call
the attention of the secretary to the
disturbing conditions he enumerates to
the end that he may receive such asslr-
ances as will satisfy his government
that 1t is not the intention of America
to make war upon the new republic of
Asia and which win explain to it the
reason why large armies and navies
should be dispatched to the Philippine
Islands and which will relieve his coun-
trymen of the fear that now possesses
them that their liberties are in danger
at the hands of a republic whose name
they have always believed was asso-
ciated with freedom and to which they
nrst came for recognition.
He expresses his gratitude to America
Tor services rendered and hopes that
niendly relations may continue and
urges the Importance of an immediate
answer.
Will Honor DingIey.
fAuGUSTA. Me-, Jan. 24.-The Maine