The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-08-12
APPEALS To THE POWERS
Aguinaldo Demands Recognition
of Filipino independence.
REBEL LEADERS BLUFF
Napidan Shells Manila Town Without
Warming anI People Flee
to the Hills.

Manila, Aug. S.-4:5O p. m.-Aguinaldo
has appealed to the powers for recogn-
ton of Filipino independence" in a doc
ument dated from Tarlac, July p, and
signed by Buencamo. 1t has been re-
celved by all the foreign consuls in Ma
Mia with the request that they forward
1t to their respective governments
The Eilipinos used their old argument
that they had conquered the sovereignty
OF these islands from Spain before the
signing of the treaty of Paris and there
Tore SPAN was III no position to cede
/ them 10 the United States They argue
that the possession of 1000 Spanish pris-
! onerS. captured, with their arms, fighting
| against the Filipinos, is eloquent proof
Of the nullity of the Spanish sovereignty,
! as when they surrendered Span's hold
/ was IrrcyOcably lost.
/ The document then says: Replying to
/ the Spanish commiSSionS requests to re
/ lease the prisoners because Spain no
| longer has political interests in the is
! lands, we asked for treaty of peace
and friendship G1,,recu Spain and the
| tlilmnoS, whereby the prisoners would
| bc released. But the commissioners re-
| fused, because IL would mean recognition
| Of our independence. This is equivalent
/ to saying that the prisoners must stay in
| our hands indefinitely. because their pos
| session IS our most cflicacIouS method to
| adjust our account with Spain and oh
! tain from her recognition Of our indepen-
| dcucc."
The Filipinos claim that they con
| qucrcd all the country except Manila and
| that they co-opcrated in securing the lat
| tcr,s capituatiun by surrounding it at the
/ cost Of thousands Of lives. They also
| claim they conquered the country unas-
! sisted, except for sixty guns that Admiral
| Dewey gave AguinaldO, and that Admiral
/ Dewey and the British and Belgian con
| sulS recognized the FiipinoS' sovereignty
! hy asking for passes to visit the country.
! They repeat the claim that they have
| letters from American conSUlS and gener-
| ais recognizing their sovereignty. and
| promising that the Americans would rec
ognizc their independence which was at
/ the disposition Of the powers.
The lTlipnaS attempt 10 make capital
| Of the statement that Admiral Dewey
| had such confidence that AgulnaldO
/ would observe and fulfill the rules of
| war that he gave him hundred Spanish
! prisoners which the American navy had
| captured
! powers to influence Washington TO bring
| to termination the unjust war which
! is devastating the country.
| The authorities at Madrid have or
| dersd the Spanish commissioners not to
return to Tarlac. and it is reported two
| special commissioners, SonoTS 'aprlles
| and Cucrbo. are on their way here from
| Spain to conduct the negotiations for the
| surrender OF the Spanish prisoners now
held by the Filipinos.
No Alarm at Washington.
Washington, u. C., Aug. S.-Ihe state
| DEPARTMENT is entirely without lnforma-
tion as to any address by Aguinaldo to
| foreign powers for the recognition OF the
| Iiliuin0s either as helligcrentS or as CON
Stitutiug an independent government
Fhc appeal is looked upon, however, as
rcating no particular change, as II has
been the desire OF AguinaldO and his as
~ociat,.S from the first to secure such rec
ignition. The appeal puts this desire into
rather formal shape. and il may Dring to
fu issue the attitude Of outside govern.
nlsniS There is no apprehension, how
EVER. that amy foreign government will
heed the address. The international
usage rs to recognition was quite fully
Developed during the Cuban ilSurreCtiun,
1T which time the question was exhaust
Iycly discussed in Congress, and WIS the
subject If lengthy consideration in the
messages Of the President.
The general view at that time was that
til" recognition of hclliserency was not
III itself Il caSuS helli Up to the pres
the state department that any foreign
power entertained even the remotcst
idea Of giving recognition to Aguinaldo
and his associates. On the contrary
there had been most friendly feeling
maintained between this government and
foreign powers throughout the Philippine
conflict. The state department does not
share the apprehension which is said to
have arisen among army officers that
China has given indirect recognition to
the FiIipinos. This apprehension grew
out Of report from Gen. Otis that
horses could not be secured for cavalry
uSc from China because they were con
ira band Of war.
At the state department it is said that
the matter has not assumed form in
yolyinE the recognition Of 4 state Of war.
but that Minister Conger reports China :
course is due entirely to certain domestic
regulations prohibiting the expectation OF
horses or ponies.