The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-11-22
FIGHT TO THE DEATH.
War of determination Only Hope Of
Settling the Filipino Question-So
Says SixtO Lopez, the Distinguished
Filipino Now in This Country.

/
may not cover all points upon which
answer, at least, some Of the ques-
tions which The people are asking
AZ numbered, questions and answers
are as follows:
l. /. Aguinaldo living2
Yes But be has been KILLED"
many times, both in the former in
.urrection against Spain and in the
present war.
| 2 Is he now at the head Of the OPP
| position to the United States?
| Yes.
| ;. Does he represent civil or
military government?
In many parts Of the islands civil
| government is still carried on under
him but his control is chiefly mill
| rarv. This, of necessity, is due to
| The disorganizing influence Of war.
| /. l. that government recognized
by The Filipinos generally where the
! nitcd States forces are not present?
Yes The Fiiipinos throughout the
whole archipelago within the respec-
tive spheres of military influence
| pP'hIf VI st'ittiy it''c NV anu up
| port Aguinaldo's government and the
claim for independence.
,. How large proportion OF the
| FilipinOs in territory under Filipino
control would prefer American gov
| eminent?
| As far n. | know. there are none.
| The ''Amcricanista' is species
| found only within the American
sphere Of influence. He is the analog
Of the American Tory of l776, and as
| such we are not proud Of him.
&. How large a proportion OF the
| Filipinos in territory under American
| control would prefer American gov
| ernmcnt2
There are probably ~ per cent. Of
| the professed '.Americanistas.n but Of
these not ; per cent are real .'Ameri-
cauistas." \ certain number Of men
of business and social distinction
openly profess being favorable to
| American rule for the first few wears,
| but many Of them are secretly work
Ing and praying for Aguinal'l"'s sue
| cess.
Z. Did the FiIipno~ expect Bryan's
| election?
The Filipino, in Europe did not,
and as they were in communication
with AguinaldO it is reasonable to
| iHfrr that he and bis government did
not either. There were. however,
many Filipnns in the islands who
hoped for and no doubt expected
change ~ administration in Amer
| lea.
s. viii his defeat tend to their
| submissions
| Certainly not. They are prepared
to die rather than to submit uncondi
| tionally. They are aware that such
| great and good thing as independence
has never yet been gained by any
nation without sacrifice and the she'd
ding of blood, End they have express
ed the opinion that they are not likely
to be privileged to obtain such a
| blessing without making a like sacri-
flee.
.. Has the desire for independence
| increased since the war began?
| The desire for independence at the
| time and before the war began was
| practically universal and unanimous
| The only change that has taken place
since the war began is a growing dis
satisfaction with the present American
| occupation, Those who at first in
clined to the belief that American oc-
cupation would have its advantages
are not confirmed in that opinion by
results hitherto achieved.
10. Are the Filipinos as ready to
sacrifice themselves for independence
as they were before SO many had been
| killed?
Yes. Every Filipino who has been
killed in battle, every soldier who has
died of wounds, every mother or sis
! ter or child that has died of starva-
| ton, sickness or neglect. as the result
of this war, forms motive and cue
for deathless resistance and binds the
Filipinos in their resolve to die rather
| than to submit.
II. Has Aguinaldo the power to
establish Il civil government strong
enough to protect life and property
if the United States should give him
the opportunity?
Yes. He has practically the unani
nous support of people who possess
the religion, the morals and the arts
of civilization, who are willing to die
for their independence. who have
stood up against the greatest nation
in the world i'll order to defend that
independence. These are the people
who are capable Of forming strong
government.
Is. If the Filipinns were given
control of the islands. what would be
the danger of their conquest by for
eign powers in case the United States
left them alone?
If the Filipinos. in their uuarmed
condition. have been able to resist
90 900 American troops. backed BY
tleet, would they not. if they were
adequately armed and organized, be
able to resist any other nation? Would
not tho cost Of such a task be "A su fl
cient barrier against any nations
lightly undertaking it? No country,
save America and England has the
money required for .uch task.
Viewed i'll the light OF a speculation.
it would not be enticing.
IL. DO the Filipinos believe in the
good faith and friendly intentions of
the mass of the American people. so
that cordial relations will follow the
war. if independence is granted?
A thousand times ye. If indie
pendsnce were promised and the war
ended. the FilipinoS would remem Der
only one thing, that America per-
formed the spleudid service of helping
to free them from Spanish rule.
IA. What is the prospect for peace
II independence is not granted?
determination.