Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1901-05-23
MISSION OF SIXTOLOPEz
1nsurgent Agent Will Visit Phil
ippines to Learn Conditions.
NO SECRET IN THE INQUIRY.

Native Will Study Needs of the Isles
and Promises Fair Report-Doubtn
Statement That a Majority of His
People Are to Surrender-wiII Re-
| port to President.
Sixto Lopez, representative Of the
Philippine insurgents in the United
States, at present is planning a trip to
the islands in the far east with the OBJ
5ect Of learning the exact conditions in
the archipelago, says a special dispatch
from Boston to the Chicago Tribune.
According to a statement by Mr.. Lo-
| PEI, he will obtain as nearly an Impair
tial report on the situation and the
ideas Of the natives as it is possible for
a partisan to secure Mr.. Lopez ex-
presses the belief that his people are
misunderstood by the residents of the
United States, that the Americans
would grant much more, if not abso-
lutte independence, to the islanders If
they knew the actual feeling in the
Philippines and that the leaders, even
those now held by the United States
authorities, still are in favor of liberty
for the Islands.
The plan Of Mr.. Lopez is to spend
perhaps six months in the islands visit
ing all provinces and meeting personal
ly those men who best represent the
various classes of natives. He will
where possible secure documentary or
other evidence regarding the sentiment
Of the natives and expects to obtain
straightforward expressions Of opinion
from the men still in armed opposition
to American sovereignty, as well as
those who have surrendered or been
captured and since have sworn allie
glance to the United States.
In the opinion of Mr.. Lopez the re
ports sent to this country are unrelia-
BILE. Instead of a majority of the ma
lives Of the island being ready to C.
cept American sovereignty, he says, the
number willing to recognize the United
States government as supreme is COM
paratively small. The spirit Of indie
pendence, be claims, is strong as ever,
and no matter what pledges of loyalty
they make the leaders ever will be
ready to join their comrades in the
field and take up anew the struggle for
absolute liberty.
The facts secured by Mr.. Lopez will
be embodied in q series of letters to be
printed in a number of the foremost
| papers of the United States. President
Mckinley also is to be kept Informed
of the progress of this private investi-
cation and told the results of Mr.. Lo-
pez's inquiry.
That the Filipinos ever will submit
for any length of time to government
by a foreign power is held improbable
by Mr.. Lopez, but Mr.. Lopez intends to
learn the proportion Of those willing to
| accept American rule and those who
would fight to the death for their indie
pendence.
Other topics upon which Mr.. Lopez
intends to secure reliable data are the
and needs OF the Filipino peo-
pie. He promises to secure facts re-
garding the degrees of education in the
islands, the school facilities, native lit.
erature and art. religious and social
conditions. commerce, industries, re
sources and all other matters which
have q bearing on the future Of the is
lands.
Regarding the Importance of the in
Quiry he intends to make, Mr.. Lopez
makes the point that those who have
| reported on conditions in the islands
have been Americans-people whom
the natives would not trust-and there
fore incapable of getting impartial in
formation. 1t is claimed that Judge
Taft and General Macarthur do not
agree in many of their statements, and
other officials also have sent in reports
at variance with the ideas of their SUI
p%eriors.
Mr.. Lopez declares he intends to
maxi no secret of his mission and
wishes to do everything in an open
manner. Fol this reason he has writ
ten a lengthy letter to President Nc
Kinley explaining in detail his plan.
He says he will be careful not to aid
armed resistance against the United
States; but, on the contrary, viii work
for peace. He asks suggestions from
the president regarding the line Of in
ycstigation considered the most impor-
tant and advises hat it might be well
to appoint an army officer to accompa-
ny him and see that the inquiry is con-
Quoted fairly. Beyond this he makes
no plea for official recognition.
AS soon as it is possible TO make the
trip to the far east Mr.. Lopez will start
for the Philippines.