The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1901-04-26
AGUINALDO TO HIS PEOPLE.
OnreserVedly Accepts Sovereignty
of the United States.

Manila, April 19.-FOIOwing il Agni.
naldO's address to the Filipino people
made public this evening:
81 believe was not in error in nre-
Stunning that the unhappy fate to which
| my adverse fortune has led me ia not q
surprise to those who have been familiar
with the progress of the war. The lea.
sons taught with a full meaning and
which have recently come to my knowl-
| edge, suggest with irresistible force that
complete termination of hostilities and
lasting peace are not only desirable. but
absolutely essential to the welfare of the
Philippine islands. The FilipinOs have
never been dismayed at their weakness.
nor have they faltered in following the
path pointed out by their fortitude and
courage.
The time has come, however, in
which they find their advance along this
path to be impeded by an irresistible
force which, while it restraints them. en-
lIghtens their minds and opens to them
another course, presenting them the
cause of peace,
Glorious Stars and Stripes.
"This cause has been ioyfully embraced
by the majority of my fellow country
men, who have already united around
tne glorious sovereign banner of the
United States. In this banner they be-
pino vWhifi oHUR3dderr oHUR3der it's protection the Fill
ties which they are beginning to enjoy.
The country has declared unmistakably
in favor of peace. So be it. Th7re has
been enough blood, enough tears and
enough desOlatiOn. This wish can not
be ignored by the men still in arms if
they are animated by a desire to serve
our noble people, which has thus clearly
manifested its will SO do | respect this
will, now that it is known to me-
After mature deliberatiOn, resO-
lutely proclaim to the world that | can
not refuse to heed the voice OF a people
longing for peace, nor the lamentations
of thousands OF families yearning to
see their dear ones enjoying the liberty
and the promised generosity of the
great American nation.
"By acknowledging and accepting the
sovereignty of the United States
throughout the Philippine archipelago,
as | now do, and without any reserva-
tiOn whatsoever, | believe | am serving
thee-my beloved country. May happi-
ness be thine" To signaIize this
important step in the pacfica-
ton of the country General Macarthur
orders the release, on swearing allegiance
to the United States, of 1000 insurgent
prisoners.
Viewed at Washington.
Washington, April 19-It is believed
by the administration that the mani
festO of AguinaldO will have a decidedly
good effect both in the Philippines and
in this country. 1t will take some time
Tor its distribution among the FIlipinOs,
but it is expected to be of considerable
service, and to make more rapid the i'm
provement in the situation which set in
some time ago, and which has become
much marked of late.
Especial qualification is felt at the un-
reserved tone of the document and the
full acceptance it indicates of American
rule. This, it is felt, will bring to the
support OF the government many Fill
pinOs who, wishing for peace. have hesi-
tated to assist the Taft commission. In
this country it is expected to reduce the
criticism of the administration and to
cause less discussion of the policy of the
war in the islands and more considera-
! tiOn OF the important matter of the best
| administration to be evolved for their
| government. 1t is to this work that
the Taft commission is now bending all
| it's energies.
AguDaldo, now that he has accepted
American sovereignty, probably will be
given more liberty than ne has enjoyed
| hitherto. His services will be used as
far as possible in the pacifcation OF the
islands The extent, however, to which
he will be permitted his freedom is for
| General Macarthur to determine, with
the assistance of the Taft commission
for the aim of the home government
here will be to rest largely upon the
views held by its representatives in the
| islands.