The sun., 1900-09-18

Gen. Whittier, of Gen. Merrit1's staff,
called on Agninaldo 10y appointment ut
Malolos (see page 49S. Senate Docu-
ment e., Treaty of Peace papers) ana
had business talk with him. The sub
stance of this conversation has become
much more important since the Demo
cratic party has committed itself to the
Aguinaldo policy in the Philippines and
since the Democratic candidate for the
presidency has accepted that program,
added to it the Monroe doctrine, and Is
pressing the campaign upon the theory
that the paramount" issue is protec-
torate for the Philippines after We sur
render them and to cover them against
the intrusion of Europe with the Asiatic
annex of the American doctrine of Mon
roe.
There occurred between Gen. Whittier
and the Tagal tyrant thorough CONVEX
sation on the subject of this American
protectorate of the Philippines. Gen.
Whittier told Aguinaldo that i'll few
days he would 20 to Paris TO appear be-
fore the peace commission sitting in that
city, and the General added Ito quote his
own official report of the conyersation):
~ started the talk by announcing TO
Aguinaldo that l was to leave in few
days to appear before the peace coinlns-
sion, and that had very friendly feel
ing for the Filipinos and admiration for
many of their good qualities their quiet,
cleanliness, temperance and great iInlta-
tive power, and a possibility of learning
almost any profession or business; that j
would like TO be able TO present to the
commission his and his peoples views
and demands and what relation they ex-
pected to hold to the United States in
case we decided to keep the islands,"
1t will be noted that Gcn. Whittier ex-
pressed himself fully and clearly. lie
said:
"Aguinaldo replied rather naively, that
his people were divided into two parties
those in favor of absolute independence
ana those of an American protectoratc;
that the parties are about equal; that he
is waiting TO see who will have the ma
jority, in that case TO take his position"
This report of what Aguinaldo had to
say about a division of opinion between
Independence and an American protector
rate is much more interesting just now
than it ever has been. This cclversa-
tion was nearly two years ago. Aguinaldo
had made himself troublesome at Bac-
coor, and his removal To Malolos, it is
evident now, was Il step that meant pre-
parations for war with the Americans.
tie found he was not 10 be admitted to
Manila, and made choice of position
On the railroad from which he expected
~ turn and capture the city. He WAS en-
gagged in this work when Gen. Whittier
called upon him, and eluded the pcne-
iratng question asked him by saying
"Ihe parties among his countlynien N
respect TO absolute independence OF in
AMERICAN protectorate We're about equal,
aud he was waiting to see who world
have the majority TO take his position. -
Aguinaldo had this habit of avoiding
giving a straight answer to strong qdes-
tion. Mr.. Whittier told him, aud it
would be well for Mr.. Bryan 10 make Il
memorandum of what Whittier said to
Aguinaldo, and for the people of the
United States TO study it closely and
seriously, for precisely the objections to
Philippine independent government that
existed then exist and are more obvious
now. Gen. Whittier said:
II pointed out to him that il would
probably be useless to try to bring those
IN favor of absolute independence to any
change of opinion, but they must con.
slider that they are without any navy and
without capital. which is greatly needed
for the development of the country; that
the Philippine government alone did not
possess the element of strength to in
sure lie retention of the islands without
the assistance OF other governments
They would be at the mercy OF any of
81 half a dozen powers striving to take eth
er part or the whole of the islands, and
they must consider that their greatest
prosperity would come by the gradual
accession of power under American aus.
pices.'
This was to the point and Aguinaldo
was disturbed. There isn't n particle OF
doubt that he had already fully made up
his mind to make war for complete in
dependence without any expectation or
desire to please the United States, but il
was too early for him to avow his pur-
pose. He knew perfectly that his views
OF carrying on personal government
could not be acceptable to the people OF
the United States. The reply of Agui-
naldo to Whittier and remarks upon q
further question are of sensational pitli
and moment now. Gen. Whittier's re.
port is quoted as follows:
But the civilized nations of the world
would see that our possessions were moi
taken from u.s."
l replied: "How has it been in China
Where England, ltuSsla, FRANCE, Gef'
many, ETC., all strive to control terri
II tory?"
10 this he could make no reply
| further asked what that side would
expect America, acting the role of pro-
tect0r, to do.
He said: $40 furnish the navy, while
the Filipinos held all the country and
IA administered civil offices with its own
In people,"
NJ And what, then. would America get
n from thisY' said l.
THAT would be detail,' he said
which would be settled hereafter"
Gen. Whitps,r adds: I'VE pursued this