The Van Buren press., 1900-03-31
OUT OF THEIR OWN MOUTHS.
the Philippines Sent to the
Senate by the President.

Washington, March 2s.-The presi-
dent yesterday sent to the senate ad-
ditional documents concerning the
Philippine insurgents, consisting of
papers captured by American troops;
information concerning the Philip
pine committee in Hong Kong; relat-
ing to the treatment of prisoners, etc.
Transcript of the Minutes.
The documents concerning the meet
ing Ct the Philippine committee in
Hong Kong is a transcript of the min
utes of the proceedings of the commit
tee, held February "A, and April 5,
1898. The record for April contains
the Filipino version of Aguinaldo's ne
gotiations with Admiral Dewey rela-
tive to the former accompanying the
admiral to Manila. One of the entries
is to the following effect:
"rhc president (Aguinaldo) described
the negotiations which took place dur
ing his absence in Singapore with the
American consul of that English col
ony; both agreed that the president
should confer with the admiral com
mauding the American squadron in
Mrs bay, and if he should accept his
propositions as beneficial to the Fill
pines he should go in one of the cruis-
ers which form the feet to take part in
the subsequent events.
The Cautious AguInaIdO
The account says that Aguinaldo
asked for the advice of the committee,
as to whether he should accompany
the admiral. The advice was generally
favorable to his going, but Aguinado
insisted that it was dangerous TO go to
the Philippines 'without a previous
written agreement with the admiral,
since it may happen that if he places
himself at his orders he may make him
sign a document containing proposals
highly prejudicial to the interests Of
the fatherland."
Two Horns OF II Dilemma.
Continuing, he said that if he ac-
cepted the proposals the act would lie
npatriotc. while if be should refuse
"a break between the two is evident
TO avoid this dilemma, he proposed that
committed should be sent to the ad.
miral to intervene with the insurgents
If necessary and to ascertain the in
tentions of the United States
To this il was replied by members Of
the committee, that it is thoroughly
agreed upon with the admiral that he
is TO give The president all the arms
which he needs, since the former is
convinced that the feet can do nothing
in the Philippines if it is not used in
connection with the insurgents u car
rying out their plan of war against the
Spanish government"
Admiral Dewcy's "CuIturc."
They expressed the opinion that ow-
ing to Admiral Dewey's degree OF cul-
ture," he would not require the sign
ing of any documents, but insisted
that If he should so insist Agunado
could decline. In this connection the
following extract is signifcant
A Trick TO Procure Arms.
"1here will be no better opportlml.
ty than the present for the expedition
airy forces TO land on those Islands,
and TO arm themselves at the expense
of the Americans and assure the at.
tainment Of our legitimate aspirations
nuniust tbosn ynry pCnpla Tho Lilininn
people, unprovided with arms, will be
the victims of the demands and cNac-
tons Of The United States, but pro-
yided with arms will be able to oppose
themselves to them and struggle for
their independence.
"Agoncillo urged that AgulnNldo,
once in the Philippines, could arouse
the masses to action against the Amer
leans, lie thought, however that it was
probable that the United States would
grant independence to the Filipinos.
The question as TO whether Aguiunldo
should go was put to vote, and the
proposition was carried unanimously.
American Prisoners IlI-Trcntcd.
Among the documents is also n LETT
letter dated May / last, signed by
Quartcrmaster Sonnichsen, then in
captivity among the Filipinos, lie
says;
"up TO Lieut.. Gilmorc's arrival We
have been treated in most barbarc
manner, starved, beaten and bound We
have been living on five cents duy,
and most Of us are nearly naked The
SpNniards have been treated even
worse than we, being tortured in the
stocks AMI starved
Letters from Americans.
The third section of the material for-
wordcd relates 10 letters which were
sent TO the Philippines, and were re-
garled rs encouraging 20 the insur.
gents One of these Is from j. V, Mar
tin, Of ST. Louis, who asks for nm nrti.
Gle ON the Filipino situation which win
strengthen the cause OF anti-eNpansion
IN the elections IN the United States.
There is also u letter, dated at Cipcin.
natl, and signed DaEsingcr, which pur.
ports TO give the proceedings OF the
OF .c Single Tax league in dcTogation
of the wnr upon the insurgents. Mr..
Dansinger also expresses his strong op-
position 10 such n war,
4 british Missionary KILLED.
Shanghai, March 2s.-A private dis.