The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-11
AenLnaldo,s AppeaI % Europe.

AeuEnaldo's Appeal to Europe.
In an editorial yesterday. on the
statement Of the programme with re-
gard TO the suppression of the Filipino
insurrectIon made by Secretary Of War
Root, the IntellIgencer incidentally re-
ferred to the fact that AgIinaldo had
appealed again to the great powers to
recognize the independence of the al
legged Filipino government, and that no
foreign power has ever entertained the
remotest idea of giving recognition to
Aguinaldo and his associates, but that
on the contrary the feeling OF all Eur
opean powers had been friendly to the
United States. The reason for this
is plain, even though we have some
people in this country who are not
pleased to know 1t.
Commenting on the appeal OF Aguin-
aldo. which is important in a way. the
New York Times truthfully gives some
good reasons why no response will be
made by any power. Two grave con-
sideratIons are mentioned, especially,
the first objection on the part of the
powers being that such an act Of rec
ognitlon would give offense to the
United states, with which all nations
are now on terms of peace and friend
ship. This is similar to the reason
given by the Intelligencer.
But another reason by the Times is
one which the antI-ImperialIsts and the
observation-disclosures do not admit
1t is the incapaclty ofAguinaldo and his
followers to take care of themselves
protect foreigners residents among them
and fulfil internationa. obligations. In
other words, they are incapable Of self
government, according to the rules rec
ognIzed by civilized nations. These
considerations, the Times points out,
will suffice to cause the instant denial
Of Agulnaldo's appeal in every foreign
office the world over" in no country.
except II may be one that would desire
to cause annoyance to this nation, and
there is no such nation known to ex-
list.
The United states itself has set a
good examrle on this llae. though 1t
had grave provocation at times. Our
contemporary finds 1t in our behavior
toward Spain for the long period In
which the insurrection in Cuba lasted.
1t was scrupulousIy correct for years.
The government at Washington was
repeatedly importuned, not alone by
the Cubans, but by thousands of SYM
pathlzers In this country, and by many
politicians who wanted popular cause.
Notwithstanding, the government bore
n friendly disposition toward Spain.
and prevented unlawful assistance
from these shores.
1t was during Grants administration
that the recognition Of belllgerency
arose during a revolution in Cuba, and
Grant held that: Fighting, though
fierce and protracted. does not alone
constitute war. To Justify n rec
ognltlon OF belligerency, there must be
above ALL de facto political organiza-
ton of the insurgents, sufficient In
character and resources to constitute 1t,
81 left to itself state among nations.
CAPABLE of dlscharging the duties OF
state, and OF meeting the Just RESPONSE
blities 1t may incur as such toward
other powers in the discharge OF Its
national duties"
These sentiments were written by
President Grant under similar circum-
stances. and are pertinent to the case
for recognition which Agulnaldo at
tempts to make out The Times just
10 declares, and 1t will be endorsed by
Intelligent minds. that not even the
most irrational Of the antI-Imperialists
pretends that the Filipino republic"
meets the requirements OF this authori-
tat,ve declaration OF principles and
poliey on the contrary. even the news
reports OF correspondents who are not
in sympathy with the policy OF our
administration. and are Supposed to be
wholly unbiased. tell us that Aguinaldo
and US men are wholly incapable OF
fulalllng the primary obligations Of
responsible government, and the main
talnance Of order.
All this. Of course. refers to political
recognition. and not to trade relations
where the foreign country has interests
The Times says:
opr poqitlon IN the Philippines f that
~ "a patIgn that has as yet only In part
performed ~ duties n y our dnty 20
6thef nations 20 our own citlzons. and TO
1fs d.ggndcnf population Of the Phllln-
SIrss 10 open the ports NJ the nfchpelaEo
i0r trade mad keep them OPEN 20 protect
.. u In every unTl OF inc
Islands visited or frcqupntod by torelRn.
ara or Americans. to make travel anu
Communication safe; ana IN general TO
maintnln tho conditions appropriate 70 2
civlligod country. We have not A. ysl hhh
linn" 10 do all these things. Friendly ha-
lions rCcornlzng this fact ms woll az our
ability and earnest purpose TO aecohlpllph
What wc have undertaken make no uh-
fcagonRble demands upon ~, but patiently
await the complete execution OF our plnn''
only when the United states failed In
its obligations in the Philippines and