Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-04-25
AgninaldO Listens to Voices
Pleading for Peace.
AN IRRESISTIBLE FORCE
He Says 1t Compels Filipinos to
Cease H0stilities.
HE ISSUES A MANIFESTO.
In This Address TO the People of the
Islands He Says that Under the Rule
OF the United States Ehey VIII Find
Liberty and Happiness.

h-AoNAtJ "h"
Manila, April 20.-The following is
Aguinaldo's address to the Filipino
people, made public last evening:
Il believe | am not in error in pre-
suming that the unhappy fate to
which my adverse fortune has led me,
is not a surprise to those who have
been familiar with the progress of
the war. The lessons taught with IL
fuH meaning and which have recently
come to my knowledge, suggest with
irresistible force that complete ter
mination of hostIlities and lasting
peace are not only desirable but alb
solutely essential to the welfare of
the Philippine islands.
"The Filipinos have never been dis
mayed at their weakness, nor have
they faltered in following the path
pointed out by their fortitude and
courage. The time has come, how
ever, in which they find their adj
vance along this path to be impeded
by an irresistible force which, while
it restraints them, yet enlightens
their minds and opens to them an
cause of peace. This cause has been
ioyfully embraced by the majority of
my fellow countrymen, who have al
ready united around the glorious
sovereign banner of the United
States. In this banner they repose
their trust and belief that under its
protection the Filipino people will
attain all those promised liberties
which they are beginning to enjoy.
The country has declared unmistak-
ably in favor of peace. SO be if.
There has been enough blood, enough
tears and enough desolation. This
wish cannot 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
cannot refuse to heed the voice Of
people longing for peace, nor the
lamentations of thousands of fam
lilies yearning to see their dear ones
enjoying the liberty and the prom
ised generosity of the great Amer
lean nation.
"By acknowledging and accepting
the sovereignty of the United States
throughout the Philippine archipelago
as | now do, and without any reser-
vation Whatsoever. | believe that I
am serving thee, my beloved country.
May happiness be thine
To sgnalize this important step
in the pacification of the country
Gen. Macarthur orders the release,
on swearing allegiance to the United
States, of 1000 insurgent prisoners.
Washington, April cot is be-
lieved by the administration that the
manifesto of Aguinaldo will have a
good effect both in the Philippines
and in this country. 1t will take
some time for it's dissemination
among the Filipinos, but it is expect
ed TO be of considerable service and
to make more rapid the improvement
in the situation which set In some
time ago and has become quite
marked of late.
Especial qualification is felt at the
unreserved tone of the document and
the full acceptance it indicates of
American rule. This it is felt will
bring to the support of the govern
ment many Filipinos who, while wish
ing for peace, have hesitated to assist
the Taft commission.
In this country it is expected to re-
duce the criticism of the administra-
ton and to cause less discussion of
the general policy of the war in the
island and more consideration of the
important matter of the best admin
istration to be evolved for their gov
ernment. 1t is to this work that
the Taft commission is now bending
its energies. Aguinaldo, now that
he has accepted American sovereign
ty, probably will be given consider
ably more liberty than he has en-
loved hitherto. His services will be
used as far as possible in the pacifi-
cation of the islands. The extent,
however, to which he will be permit
ted his freedom is for Gen. MacAr-
thur to determine, with the assist
ance of the Taft commission.