The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-16

Constitution and that HIS absence or fear
was because he had found IN II no au-
thority TO hold colonies. Evidently Aguin-
aldo study was not an exhaustive one. IL
he had read the Constitution as construed
by the Supreme Court and as illustrated by
American history, he would have found
that the power 10 hold dependencies was
affirmed by Chief Justice Marshall and was
actually exercised for many years in Louis
lana.
II he was mistaken the mistake was In
his own researches. But more than this.
Aguinaldo recognized that he had no prom
ise or assurance OF independence from the
A ArItal an govern government on July "A ne
Hong-kong' mot 10 secure Independence.
buD Ito prevent my countrymen from
making common cause with the Spanish
against the North Americans. L consider
1t my duty TO advise you OF the undesira-
bility OF disembarking North American
troops In the places conquered by the Fill
ipinos from the Spanish without previous
notice to this government. because as no
formal agreement yet exists between the
two nations the Philippine people might
consider the occupation OF its territories
by North American troops as a violation
Of its rights" ISen. Doc. o. p. 3S1
And Yet after that letter the anti-im-
perialists claim that we were suffering
them to be misled. On Aug. I. lSS. Aguin-
aldo writes 10 Consul Williams (they had
been discussing Philippine Independently:
Above all. 1 thank you sincerely Tor the
kind words which you express in your note
quoted above. and / congratulate you with
all sincerity on the acuteness and ingen-
uity which you have displayed in II IN
painting in admirable manner tho benefits
which. esoecially for me and my leaders.
and in general, for ali my compatrfots.
would be secured by the union OF these
islands with the United States of Amer
lea. All! that picture. so happy and so
finished. is capable of fascinating not only
the dreamy imagination of the Impression
able Oriental. but also the cold and calcu-
lating thoughts of the sons OF the North
This is not saving that Il am not OF your
opinion. | am simply persuaded that the
Fflipinos will arrive at the height OF hap
piness and glory IL In the future they
can show with raised heads the rights
which to-day are shown by the free citizens
OF North America. These islands will be IN
effect one of the richest and pleasantest
countries of the globe IL the capital ana
industry of North Americans come 10 de-
velop the soil. You say all this. and you
more will result from annexing ourselves
to your people, and / also believe the same
since YOU are my friend and the friend or
the Filipinos and nave said IL. But why
should be say II? VIII my people oeneve
1t? - II is not possible for me TO
| remove the distrust OF my companions:
These say that If the object OF the Cnited
States is TO annex these islands, why nor
| recognize the government established IN
them in order in that manner TO JOIN WITH
it the same by annexationE
THE KEYNOTE.
In this letter we find the keynote OF Agui-
| naldo's dissatisfaction. He wants his own
| authority conceded. But the strongest evil
dence that no promise was ever made II
| furnished by the manifest issued by Aguin-
aido's prime minister. Mabini. on behalf or
| Aguinaldo, April IL. 1899. Hoar's specify
| He criticises the proclamation of the Presi-
| dents benevolent intentions and adds;
1.-The North American government mas
| rot wanted and does not want 10 recognize
| cur independence. because this recognition
will bind II TO make formal agreement Win
| US and not TO fail or depart from the terms
| CT this agreement. For this reason nave
| sought IL from the beginning. but the rep
| resentatives of the North American gov
| ernment have always refused to accord 70
my government an official character, nav
ing recourse first to coercion and nnalv
To instigating war"
The claim is made that even though We
| promised nothing. yet our silence gave con-
sent What Silence gives consent when IN
one communication after another our Of
fcers say I'VE cannot recognize your gov
| ernmenti' When to every inquiry as 10
| what we are going TO do with the islands
the answer was that of General Merritt
that IL was not known what the policy or
| the government would be. That answer
was true. How could our officers know
while the question of the treaty was I'M
| How would they know even
to-day when that question Is still one or
| the great issues between the parties
The charge of perfidy brought against the
administration Is a pure creation OF the
| fancy.