The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1900-09-14


Malolos (see page 49S, Senate Docu-
ment ~, Treaty Of Peace papers) and
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 tne
Aguinaldo policy in the Philippines anu
since the Democratic candidate lor 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 10 cover them against
the intrusion of Europe with the Asiatc
annex of the American doctrine or Mon
roe.
There occurred between Gen. Whittier
and the Tagal tyrant a thorough CONVEX
sation on the subject Of this American
protectorate of the Philippines. Gen.
Whittier told Aguinaldo that in few
DAYS he would go 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 conversation):
1T started the talk by announcing to
Aguipaldo that 1 was to leave in rev
days to appear before the peace commas
sion, and that had very friendly reei-
ing for the FilipinOs and admiration Tor
many of their good qualities, their quiet,
cleanliness, temperance and great imita-
tive power, and possibility Of learning
almost any profession or business; that
would like 10 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
IT will be noted that Gen. Whittier ex-
pressed himself fully and clearly. de
said:
"Aguinaldo replied rather naively, that
his people were divided into two parties
those in favor Of absolute independence
and those of an American prOtectorate;
that the parties are about equal; that ne
IL 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 division of opinion between
Independence and an American protecto-
rate is much more interesting Just now
than IL ever has been. This CONVERSE
ton was nearly two years ago. Agulnaldo
had made himself troublesome at Bac-
coor. and his removal to Malolos, it is
evident now, was a step that meant pre-
narat,ups for war with the Americans.
lie found he was not to be admitted TO
MANILA. and made choice Of position
on the railroad from which he expected
Ia turn and capture the city. He was en-
gagged in this work when Gen. Whittier
called upon him, and eluded the pene-
trating question asked him by saying:
tine parties among his countrynen in
respect to absolute independence or an
American protectorate were about equal,
ard he was waiting to see who would
have the majority to take his position"
Aguinaldo had this habit Of avoiding
giving n straight answer to a strong ques-
ton. Mr.. Whittier told him, and 1t
would be well for Mr.. Bryan to make
memorandum of what Whittier said to
Agninaldo, and for the people OF the
United States to study it closely ana
seriously, for precisely the objections to
Philippine independent government that
existed then exist and are more obvious
now. Gen. Whittier said:
81 pointed out to him that it 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
tho Philippine government alone did not
possess the element of strength TO in
sure the retention of the Islands without
the assistance of other governments.
They would be- Mt the mercy Of any Of
frix wing n a ka Qith-
or n mart 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
pieces"
This was to the point and Aguinaldo
was disturbed There isn't 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 it
was too early for him TO ayow his pur-
mise. 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 n
further question are OF sensational pith
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 not
taken from us"
I replied: How has II been in China.
where England, Russia, France. Ger
many. etc, all strive to control terri
toryT'
To this he could make no reply. =,
=. l..