DIAMOND HEAD (in distance) FROM PUNCH BOWL HILL, HONOLULU.

appeal to the great and good judgment of President McKinley and the spirit of fairness and justness of the American people as it is always shown in their regard for the petitions of the weak and oppressed. While the fate of the islands is still undecided and we are doing all in our power to prevent a conflict between the Americans and the Filipinos, awaiting patiently the conclusion of the Paris conference we implore the intervention of the President, supported by the will of the people, to end the slights shown our leaders, soldiers and people by some of the American military and naval officers, although we do not wish to wrong Admiral Dewey or General Otis. * * From the commencement of the hostilities, the Filipinos acceded to all the American requests; but, after bottling up the Spaniards in Manila, the Filipinos were completely ignored when the Americans advanced, and thus deprived of the fruits of the victory. The Spaniards, of late the enemies of the Americans, have been shown every consideration, while the Filipinos, their friends and allies, are often treated as enemies."

After asserting that the Filipinos uniformly acted upon the advice of the Americans, and were informally recognized by them until Manila was captured, the memorial goes on to say: "We can only attribute this sudden change to orders from Washington to American officals at Manila to avoid compromising the American government by recognition of the Filipinos or their government. The Americans are carrying out this instruction literally, losing sight of the former friendly intercourse and assistance and of the assurances the American officials gave General Aguinaldo, which he communi

Instructions.

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Gen. Merritt is also said Carried Out to oppose the establishing of "an American government" in the islands, but says they must have some form of colonial government, similar to the British colonial governments. In explanation of the manner in which he, as commanding officer, had treated the Filipinos, Gen. Merritt is reported to have said:

"It is impossible to recognize the insurgents and I made it a point not to do so, as I knew it would lead to complications. Admiral Dewey, after my

PRINCE GEORGE, OF GREECE Selected by the European powers as the Governor

General of Crete after evacuation of Turks.

arrival, pursued the same course. What was done before is not for me to comment on. I, purposely, did not recognize Aguinaldo or his troops, nor did I use them in any way. Aguinaldo did not ask to see me until ten days after my arrival. After that I was too much occupied to see him. In talking with leading Filipinos I told them the United States had no promises to make, but that they might be assured that the government and people of the

This was because the United States is in the habit of dealing fairly with all struggling people, and not because I had been authorized to say anything of the kind. We purposely did not give the insurgents notice of our attack on Manila because we did not need their co-operation and did not propose to have it. We were moved by the fear that they might loot and plunder and possibly murder. Aguinaldo's subordinate leaders, in conversing with American officers, frequently said they intended to cut the thaoats of all the Spaniards in Manila. Aguinaldo himself wrote a complaining letter, saying the insurgents had been denied their share of the booty,' whatever he may have meant by that. I took no notice of this letter, nor do I think the subject now raised is a matter for discussion between Aguinaldo and the representatives of the American government."

A press dispatch from MaWilling to Purchase nila under date of DeLiberty. cember 7th says that the native press continues to advocate independence and a reimbursment of the United States government of the amount to be paid Spain for the Philippines. Chief Aguinaldo and his principle advisors fully recognize the importance of strong protectorate in some form. One of the latter has even ventured the assertion that if the Filipinos were granted independence in accordance with the demand of the leaders, the United States would be immediately asked to establish a protectorate, as otherwise the Philippines must sooner or later become a prey of a less liberal minded country. This statement is borne out by the attitude of the better class of Filipinos in the

stories as to hostility felt and displayed on their part toward the Americans are without foundation."

The Republica Filipina, a Manila newspaper, published editorially in its issue of December 2d: "When the conference of the Peace Commission terminated its labors, the Filipinos had already conquered all of the islands of Luzon and the adjacent islands, except the towns of Iloilo, Cebu, Layte and Samaillo. Therefore, Spain has ceded authority which she did not possess. The Filipinos will never consent to the ignominy of being treated as chattels. They will shed their blood in torrents again before bowing to foreign dominion, however light.

"America brought the great chief Aguinaldo from Hong Kong and recognized our nationality by allowing our flag to be raised at Corregidor Island and to sail the bay in full sight of all the foreign fleets. None dared to interfere. If America now declines to openly acknowledge our independence, a great injustice will be committed.

44

Had Spain asked $40,000,000 for the islands the Filipinos would gladly have given twice that amount or more to preserve their rights, ruthlessly set aside by the enemy and the nation without a true understanding of the aspirations, rights and sacrifices of those who have stood torture enough and who are left to fight and suffer in defense of their country from new slavery."

A London press dispatch says that there is much "agitation among the Filipino representatives in Europe over the Philippine situation. Agoncillo, the representative of Aguinaldo, who has been in Paris watching the proceedings of the peace commissioners, starts for Washington today. It is

A telegram was sent to Aguinaldo asking for instructions, and the following reply is said to have been received:

"Insist upon absolute independence, otherwise we will fight to the death. We are all united and the government is progressing smoothly. All the independent tribes of the mountains are submitting to Aguinaldo and the chiefs. are bringing presents of gold."

The statement made by Gen. Wesley Merritt, in reply to the appeal of the Filipino junta of Hong Kong to the American people, have caused indignation among the Filipinos. They are specially incensed at the suggestion that they would loot, and at the idea of being governed as a colony.