Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-24
SPAIN AND THE INSURGENTS.
America Will Not Tolerate Alliance at the
Risk Of Renewed HostiIities.

Washington, Jan. 23.-Secretary
Alger said, today. that while he would
be pleased to hear that the Filipinos
had liberated the Spanish prisoners
held by them, he had no official in
formation to confirm the statement to
that effect coming from Madrid. Gen.
Otis has been called for accurate in
formation respecting the prisoners. but
so far he has not given the lhfofma-
ton. The government is pledgei TO
endeayor to secure their release and II
will use every proper effort to DO so.
but it must be allowed its own time and
the use of what it deems the best
means to accomplish the task.slt is not
to be supposed that the spanish gov
eminent. no matter how desirous of
securing the release of the prisoners
more speedily than could be accom-
plished through the efforts of this gov
eminent, will enter into any alliance
with the insurgents.
Technically the war is sun IN pro-
gress. although active hostilities are
suspended and any conduct on the part
of the Spanish government mat would
tend to increase the difficulties OF the
United States in dealing with the in
surgents may have to be reckoned for.
This might be held to apply to a sim
pie effort on the part OF the Spanish
government to secure the release of its
subjects, but it could not be tolerated
that they should enter into any sort OF
AN alliance with people who are prac-
tically in rebellion against the United
States
The officials here are not much
moved by the report that the Filipino
Junta in Europe TO withdraw Agoncilio
and his followers from Washington II
they are speedily recognized. While
Agoncillo has been well treated m
formally, it may be stated positively
that he will not be recognized by the
government.
The Filipino representatives here are
not prepared at this time to state when
their efforts to obtain recognition for
Aguinaldo's government are to cease.
This is a question, they say, which will
depend entirely on the circumstances
that may develop as a result of their
attempts to be automatically received
here and the action of the Senate on
the peace treaty.
Agoncillo. the chief agent of Aguin-
aldo, said. tonight. that the reports he
had received from his government
showed no change in the condition of
affairs in the island and there was no
particular news to communicate. Tbs
revolutionsts had a regular form Of
government and We're carrying out its
functions. He and his associates here
would use every proper effort to obtain
recognition for them and he hoped their
efforts would be crowned with success.
Up to this time. however. no reply had
| come from the state department to
their letters asking for the recognition
desired
| Senior Agoncillo evidently discredited
| the reports that he would be recalled to
| Manila in a few days if his efforts were
not successful as he stated that there
| had been no word from Aguinaldo 10
return home. The envoy made it very
| clear that the Filipinos would not pro
woke hostilities with the United States
| but that every attempt would be made
| to reach a peaceful solution of the eX-
| listing difficulties.
| Mr. Ralston, one of the attorneys who
| has been engaged by the ENJOYS as spe-
| cial counsel. said today: The natives do
not favor annexation ana only a certain
class of persons in Manila desire it, Even
these are fewer than they were six
months ago. The delegates are here to
secure the recognition of absolute indie
| pendence and less will not satisfy them
| Within a week they will be able to make
an official statement as to their claims
and policy.