The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-01

ieSeFe ahu answer communications OF
tne cabinet officers OF the government at
Maioios, fearing that might be err
Soneously charged with lack OF courtesy.
fermit me now. briefly. general. 10
speak or the serious misunderstanding
winch exists between the Filipino peo-
pie and the representatives OF the United
states government, and which I hope
that our commissioners. by a thorough
discussion. may be able to dispeI. /
sincerely believe that all desire peace
and harmony. and yet, by the machina-
nons OF evil disposed persons. we have
peen Influenced TO think that we occupy
the position OF adversaries.
The Filipinos appear TO be of the
opinion that We mediate attack. while
1 am under strict orders OF the Presi-
dent OF the United States to avoid con-
Met In every way possible. My troops
witnessing -earnestness,- the COM
paratively disturbed and unfriendly at
utude OF the revolutionary troops. and
many OF the citizens of Manila. con-
ciude that active hostilities have been
determined upon. although Il must be
clearly within the comprehension of un-
preJudiced and rejecting minds that the
welrare and happiness OF the Filipino
people depend upon the friendly pro-
lection OF the United States. The hand
OF spain was forced, and she has ac-
knowledged before the world that all
her Claimed rights in this country have
departed by due process OF law This
treaty acknowledgment. with the condi-
tions which accompany IL, awaits rati-
ncation by the senate of the United
states, and the action OF its congress
must also be secured before the ex-
ecutive OF that government can pro-
claim a definite policy. That policy
must conform &c the will OF the people
OF the United States. expressed through
It's representatives I'm congress. For
that action the Filipino people should
wait, at least. before severing the ex-
listing friendly relations. am gov
erned by desire TO further the interests
OF the Filipino people and shall continue
to labor with that end in view. There
shall be no conflict of forces ~ am
soie 10 avoid IT, and still / shall en-
deavor to maintain a position TO meet
all emergencies that may arise"
ueneral Otis says the negotiations be- |
tween the TWO commissions reached no |
fhe fusurgent commfs- I
sioners presented as the desire of the |
insurgents. absolute independence. un-
der the protection Of the United States.
but the nature and scope of the pro-
lection wished for they could not ex-
plain. and the conferences ended in
In the latter part OF January the in
surgents became aggressive. interfer-
ng with the American troops. and final
" General Otis wrote General Asuin-
lido, calling attention to the arrest by
'fhpinos OF some American soldiers
ina newspaper correspondent and re-
luesting an explanation. AguinaIdo
eplied that the men were arrested in
ide OF his lines for breach OF a decree
orbidding foreigners to approach the
nsurgent lines
General Otis report explains that the !
americans Mere not ot-outside our lines
hd ne quotes the correspondence
show the efforts OF the American |
authorities TO maintain peace
lie next tells how the American SOL
lers were openly insulted. and now the
Insurgents had continuously labored TO
trengthen their lines threatening to |
rive the Americans out OF the island,
nd how. finally. OF the night OF Feb. 4.
ne demonstration was made which re-
llted In the killing Of a Filipino by an
american sentry. and the firing on the
'mericans by the insurgent troops.
General Otis says:
The insurgent army thus succeeded
drawing the fire OF a small outpost.
hich they had evidently labored with
u their ingenuity to accomplish. in
-der to Justify in some way their pre-
leditated attack. II is not believed
lat the chief insurgent leaders wished
pen hostilities at this time, as they
ere not completely prepared to assume
lie initiative. They desired two or I
lree days more 10 perfect their ar
lngements. but the zeal OF their army
ought on the crisis. which anticipated
Ieir action. They could not have de-
yed long, however. for IL was their I
'ject 20 force an issue before American
oops. then en- route, could arrive at
anila." Il
The report then refers TO the uniform
successful military operations which
lowed the outbreak OF hostilities. and
eaks highly OF the efficiency displayed 81
the troops under the most trying
deals.