The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-08-12


force. consisting of 1000 men, advanced
five miles beyond San Fernando to-day
and encountered and defeated a Fill
ipino force of 5000 men. The enemy
retreated, leaving many dead and
wounded The American loss in killed
aud wounded was 20.
seeks Recognition
Manila, Aug. o. - Aguinaldo has APP
pealed TO the powers for recognition OF
..Filipino independence" in docu-
ment dated from Tarlac, July 81, and
signed by Buencamino. II has been re-
ceiyed by all the foreign consuls in Ma
Mia with the request that they for
ward il TO their respective govern
ments.
The Filipinos use their old argument
! that they had conquered the sovereign
\ ~ 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,
fighting against the Filipinos, lis elo-
quent proof of the nullity OF Spanish
"
SPANS hold was irrevocably lost"
The document then says:
Replying TO the Spanish commissions re-
4 quests 10 release the prisoners because
Spain no longer has political interests in
/ the Islands, We asked for treaty OF peace
and friendship between Spain and the Full
| pinos, whereby the prisoners would be re-
leased. But, the commissioners refused,
because II would mean recognition OF our
| independence. This Is equivalent 10 saying
| that the prisoners must stay In our hands
1 indefinitely, because their possession Is our
most efficacious method 10 adjust our ac-
/ count with Spain and obtain from her
/ recognition OF our independence.
! Claim They Have Conquered.
The Filpinos claim that they con-
quered all the country except Manila
and that they cooperated in securing
/ the latter's capitulation by surround
! ing il 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 10 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
tal of the statement that Admiral
Dewey had such confidence that
Aguinaldo would observe and fulfill
the rules of war that he gave him
hundred Spanish prisoners which the
American navy had captured.
Finally, the Filipinos appeal 20 the
powers to influence Washington TO
bring TO termination "the unjust war
which is devastating the country"
The News Mt Washington.
Washington, Aug. o. - 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
ms constituting an independent govern
ment. The appeal is looked upon, how
ever, as creating no particular change,
as il 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 il 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-
haustiyely 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 belh. 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
Philippine conflict.
The Foreign ConsuIs.
The course which the foreign consuls
at Manila win pursue in connection
with Aguinaldo's communication is a
matter of some conjecture among off,
Gals here. At the state department
there is no disposition TO limit the con-
suls In forwarding the appeal to their
respective governments. AS rule. il
is quite unusual for consuls holding
exequaturs from friendly govern
ment and having official relation with
II, 10 carry on communication with an
insurrectionary leader. But II is appre-
ciated that in this case the consuls are
the innocent victims OF Aguinaldo's
letter writing. AS military authority
Is supreme in the Philippines, any ques-
tons arising as to the course of the
consuls would probably be referred 10
Gen. Otis. but there is no intImation
here that he has been advised 81 the adj
dress, or that he will have any objec-