Evening star., 1902-02-12
WORD FROM MANILA
Petition Drawn Up by the
Federal Party.
ASKS FOR ANNEXATION
INDEPENDENCE OR COLONIAL
STATUS OPPOSED.
Fulfllment of the Great Aspirations Of
the Filipinos Suggested
to Congress.


Ihe Secretary OF War today transmitted
ID Congress message to the Congress of
tne United States OF America" drawn up by
the FEDERAL party In extraordinary assembly
at Manila In November last The message
petitions Congress to carry into effect the
intention expressed In the treaty of Paris
to define the future OF the Philippines in
| its relations with the United States. as well
as In those which affect the individual and
internal existence OF the archipelago Says
the memorial:
The performance of this International
obliga ton Of the United States has been de-
ferred to this time because of the unfortu-
nate fact of the Filipinos having attacked
the sovereignty of the United States, a
hostile act which the federal party records
as having been brought about through mis-
understandings and not through hatred OF
the American sovereignty. 1t Is demoa-
strated fact nevertheless that at this tinls
out OF sixty provinces and districts into
which the Filipino archipelago was for
merly divided. in two only OBatangas and
Samar) does war exist. and IL may be
serted that the remaining fifty-eight are
| completely pacifed. In the majority OF
these the federal party has committees pro-
| Tossing the ideals set forth in its platform.
and they are duly represented in this con-
vention."
Continuing, the memorial states that he
| pacified pueblos earnestly desire the prompt
appearance Of definite civil rule. and that
/ the Filipinos who are still In arms allege
| the lack Of civil regime a weigh:y
pretext for their belligerent attitude.
Petition for Annexation.
Entering into the substance of their me-
| mortal. the federal party divides It into
| two parts. following the order of impor-
TOW vT1~
first part contains a petition for annexa-
tion to the United States. and details 4
form Of government to be instituted under
such condition Argument is made
against either giving the Fiipinos their In
dependence or making the Islands a colony
| of the United States. 1t Is set forth that
either Of these steps would be to hand the
islands over to disorder and to anarchy.
Therefore a form of territorial government
Is proposed. providing for a governor to be
appointed by the President, senate and
| chamber of representatives and a federal
court for the trial Of federal matters. 1t
| is provided that the Philippines shall be
represented In the United States Congress
by two representatives.
Complaints Against the Friars.
In the second part the memorial suggests
| to Congress the fulfillment of other great
aspirations OF the Filipinos OF a social and
economical character
The principal Of these aspirations" II
| Is recited relates to the remedy for the
ancient evil known as the friar under
which denomination are included all the
religious orders now existing In these Is
| lands.
I'm the preamble to the great American
Constitution. fundamental benefits Of every
civilized society are clearly defined. and
they are:
"To form a more perfect Union. establish
| justice. insure the domestic tranquility.
| provide for the common defense. promote
the general welfare and secure the bless
| ings Of liberty to ourselves and our poster
| ity. These are likewise the earnest desires
Of the Filipino people. but the religious
| orders constitute element which is WIS.,
ibly opposed to the Filipino people securing
| such noble ends.
"It seems unnecessary to record here that
the abuses committed by the religious
ders against the Filipino people were what
brought about the bloody struggles OF the
past and are the cause OF the deep hatred
existing between the Filipinos and the
friars continuously and at this very time
fed by two very serious reasons, which are.
the contentious with respect to the admin
istration Of wealthy Filipino parishes and
the controversies as to the ownership Of
the great estates situated in several prov
inces of the archipelago.
Complete Amnesty.
The second Of the great aspirations Of
the country Is the obtention Of a general
| and complete amnesty.
The third is to secure prompt and EN-
| cacious remedy for the want OF money,
which shall respond under the best pos
sible conditions. to the requirements OF
agriculture.
The fourth is to obtain from Congress
the approval Of all the acts OF the civil
commission of the United States In these
islands,. presided over by Governor Taft,
because the country Is convinced OF the
great benefits accruing to the pueblos and
provinces through the laws enacted by the
said commission.
Money Of the Filipinos.
The last general aspiration is based on
the Intentions Of the American government
to apply the money captured from the
former Filipino government to the purposes
most beneficial to the people OF the Philip
pine Islands. the real providers Of such
money-an intention which seems evident
from the annexed concessions granted to
Senor Felipe Buencamino on June 2S. 190O
by Major General Macarthur, commanding
general and military governor In the Phil
ippines-in order to secure the pacificatfon
Of the insurgents In arms.
The federal party suggests to the Con-
gress the creation with said money OF a
trust fund, to be devoted to encouraging
higher education among the Filipinos In
the most practical and advisable way.