The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-01-25
AGONCILLO'S APPEAL
Aguinaldo's Agent Again Urges
the Filipinos' Claims.
BROUGHT TO THE VERGE OF WAR.

Agoncilla Urges Necessity or Prompt
Action on the Part OF Our Govern
ment In Assuring the Fiiipinos That
we Are Not Bent ON Conquest.
Washington. Jan 25.-In a communi-
cation TO the secretary OF state Senor
Don Felipe Agoncillo. the Filipino
agent, calls attention to the fact that
on Jan. II he addressed a letter to him
upon the question Of recognition, for
warding With It a memorandum dem
onstratlng that according TO all Amerl
can precedents the Philippine republic
was entitled to recognition. and 10 the
same letter he invited the attention OF
the secretary TO the present strained
conditions at Manila, where over zeal
on either side might create condition
resulting in grievous loss Of life. and
urging the necessity of an early and
frank communication between the rep
resentative Of the two countries. He
further calls attention to the fact that
since his letter was written the very
circumstances he feared have brought
the two countries TO the edge Of war,
and says that the language used by
him was so prophetic that subsequent
facts have amply justified its employ
ment.
He now desires to call the attention
OF the secretary to certain conditions
which In his opinion require immedl-
ate alienation. There are, ne says, at
the present time 10000 American troops
at Manila. controlling a population Of
about 1000 "A number OF war yes
sells are stationed i'm the harbor and
many other American men-of-war and
transports are to be found within the
archipelago. although the actual pos
session Of the American troops extends
over not to exceed 143 square miles out
OF more than 100000" Despite the
enormous forces now in this extremely
circumscribed area I'VE are informed
through the public prints that other
vessels Of war have been ordered from
distant parts Of the globe to reinforce
these now among the islands in ques-
tion, while a few days ago a transport
sailed from New York city carrying
about 1000 soldiers and having Manila
as its destination and as we are fur
ther informed, regiments of troops are
under orders to proceed by way OF San
Francisco to the Philippines. The pub
lie prints inform us also that an at
LdNh - GbuAtIllDldltu upon AAle llllp-
pine Islands; the islands to be taken in
detail, the smaller ones first, the
larger ones blockaded so that they may
not assist those first attacked" He
says that It is naturally the impression
Of his government and people that
these warlike preparations Indicate ex-
isting or immediate military operations
in the Orient and they readily con-
ceive that it must be contemplated thaC
such operations are to be leveled at the
existing government OF the Philippine
Islands.
LAS the representative of the Philip
pine government" he continues. II
hesitate to give adhesion to this idea,
for | cannot believe that there is any
present or future difficulty between the
American and Philippine government
justifying warlike activities, and as a
believer In the humanity of the Amer
lean people refuse to acquiesce in the
idea that America designs war upon
the Philippines Island"
He points out the fact that but lately
the United States and the Philippine
government have been associated in
conflict against a common enemy, the
United States accomplishing its pur-
pose by the expulsion of Spain from the
West Indies while the desire Of the
Philippine republic has been practically
attained by the almost complete ex-
pulsion of the Spanish government
from the Philippine Islands, the Phil
ippine government now holding as
prisoners of war between 5000 and TO-
900 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 armies and navies
Of the United States, lately employed
against a common enemy, should be
turned against Americas recent aBso-
ciate The United States, he says, has
no active enemy in the Orient, having
proclaimed an armistice with Spain.
1t is true, he continues, that Spain
has undertaken to convey to the UNI
ted States its alleged claim against the
Philippines a claim which Spain was
not capable of enforcing, and which
never found it's origin in the consent
of the people of these islands. He in
quires: Are my government and my
people to be left to suppose that It is
because of some desire on the part OF
the American government to enforce
against its late associate this exploded
claim that the United States is massing
its forces at the late capital of the
Philippine Islands,"
He points out that the Philippine
Islands are in a state of order, possess
ing a government satisfactory to their
inhabitants, and without an enemy
within its borders offering any resist
ance to its operations and are at peace
with all the world.
He is sure the secretary of state win
appreciate, in view Of the circum-
stances detailed. the quieting, reassur-
ing effect upon the minds of his coun-
trymen to result from a disclaimer up
on the part of the American govern
ment of any intention to attack their
| liberties and independence.
He expresses his gratitude to Ameri-
| ca for services rendered, hopes that
| friendly relations may continue, and
urges the Importance Of an Immediate
| answer