America's New Possessions.

Manawatu Herald, 31 January 1899, Page 2

America's New Possessions.

♦ AFFAIRS IN THE PHILIPPINES. A REPUBLIC TO BE DECLARED. WAR AGAINST AMERICA. The Philiphine Republic is to be declared on Sunday. The Congress at Malclos adopted a Constitution, and authorised Agninaldo to declare war against America. In an outpost collision, which occurred at Tondo, an Amerioan sentry killed a Filipino captain and a private. General Gomez is concentrating the Cuban forces in the vicinity of Havana, awaiting developments. Before the departure of the Peace Commissioners from Paris, Senor Agoncillo, on behalf of the Philippine Government, handed to tha American and Spanish delegates a long and formal protest. This document began by announcing that the " very noble and gallant General Aguinaldo, President of the Philippine Republic, has honoured ma with the post of official represeufcar tive fco the very honourable President^ , of the United States." It then r_f viewed at considerable length fche case for the Filipino*, and declared that at the tima when the armed cooperation of General Aguinaldo and other Filipino chiefs was asked for by the Americans " fche commander of the Petrel, Captain Wood, in Hong Kong, and the Americans : Consuls, at Singapore, Hong Irei?!!!^ and Oavite, aoting as international agents of the great American nation at a moment, of great anxiety, offered to recognise the independence of the Filipino nation as soon as triumph was attained." The document recited how Admiral Dewey, by various acts, recognised the autonomy of the Filipinos. It then demanded tha fulfilment of the promises made, and concluded as follows : — •' In making this protest, I claim, in the name of the Filipino nation in that of their President and Gov rnment, the fulfilment of the solemn declaration made by the ilustrious William McKinley, President of the Republic of the United States of North America, that, in going fco war, he was not guided by any intention of aggrandisement and extension of natural territory, but only in respeot fco the principles of humanity, the duty of liberating tyrannised peoples, and the desire to proclaim the inalienable sovereign rights of the countries released from the yoke of Spain.— God keep your Excellencies many years. Signed Felipe Agoncillo."