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| Don Felipe Agoncillo. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, December 24, 1898.
APPEAL OF FILIPINOS.
Two Supplicating Letters Received by Senator Hale.
THEY PRAY FOR INDEPENDENCE.
Strong Protests Made Against American Military Occupation of the Philippine Islands and Our Proposed Territorial Expansion—Aguinaldo's Government Approved.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.—Senator Hale has received two letters from Filipinos in London, touching the proposed annexation of the Philippine islands. The first letter is from Agoncillo, the Filipino representative, who came to Washington in behalf of Aguinaldo's interests, and later went to Paris with the hope of influencing the peace commission. The letter says:
LONDON, Dec. 10.
To the Hon. Eugene Hale:
SIR—The opening of the present session of the American senate will put you in a position to influence the just and good understanding between the American and Filipino nations, and I beg you to help my efforts to this end. The free citizens and senators of the United States of America cannot follow the steps of the monarchial countries whose institutions are based on force and oppression, but they are expected to contribute to the realization in history of the great people of submitting the government of every country to the wish of the inhabitants thereof under the form adopted by your republic. Freedom, suffrage and independent self-government are the only basis of an ordained state in the present times.
Like America, the Philippines will grow prosperous and happy if, instead of sowing oppression and militarism and their inevitable consequences, war and disorder, the senate of the United States, complying with the expectation of my countrymen and the formal promises made before the war by all the representatives in the Far East of the American administration, will recognize the independence of the Philippines and proclaim the everlasting friendship and alliance of two countries, joined by their common sentiments created in the field of honor, combating as comrades for justice arid humanity.
Do, pray, help the Filipinos to obtain their noble aspirations.
I intend to return to America at the first opportunity and will not fail to personally offer you the assurance of my respect and high consideration.
I am, sir, your obedient servant, FELIPE AGONCILLO.
The second of these letters reads as follows:
LONDON, Dec. 13.
Senator Eugene Hale, Capitol, Washington:
SIR—We have addressed to George F. Hoar, United States senator for Massachusetts, the following cable:
"Filipinos everywhere congratulate and thank you, Hale and Vest, for noble efforts against military rule and colonial expansion. We want American alliance, citizenship, not subjugation; pray, you, oppose military occupation."
PHILIPPINE COMMITTEE.
We beg to confirm the foregoing request and pray you to complete your noble task by opposing military occupation of the islands by the American army. General Aguinaldo has established in the Philippines a regular and orderly civil and military administration, and everybody there approves of and obeys his commands and those of his authorities. Life, property and the legitimate rights of all are respected. Order prevails everywhere under his government. The American officers, military and naval, in Manila and Cavite, maintain a regular connection such as is required by the comity of nations, with the recognized authorities. Why disturb these peaceful conditions by the enforcement of an American military occupation? We are, sir, your obedient servant,
F. MADRIGAL, Chairman.
TO TAKE WAKE ISLAND.
The Bennington Ordered on a Special Mission.
STATION FOR A PACIFIC CABLE.
The Stars and Stripes will Soon Float Over Another Island Far Out In the Pacific Ocean —The Bennington Will Make a Survey of the Guam Island.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.—The government has determined to hoist the flag over another island far out in the Pacific ocean and orders have been sent out to the commander of the Bennington, Captain Taussig, to proceed at once to take possession in the name of the government of the United States of Wake island lying in latitude 19 north, longitude 168 east. It is distant about 2,000 miles from Nihau, the westernmost of the Hawaiian islands, and 1,300 miles east from Guam. It is almost in a direct line between these possessions of the United States and is admirably adapted for use as a station for a Pacific cable to connect the Philippines with Hawaii and the United States. It is about three miles in length and encloses a lagoon of salt water. The average height of the island is eight feet above high tide. It is scarcely capable in itself of sustaining life but it is expected that a cable station can be maintained without difficulty by the erection of a condenser to supply fresh water.
Some station in this locality is deemed to be absolutely necessary to the maintenance of a cable and, for that reason, the American peace commissioners at Paris endeavored to secure one of the Caroline islands, but without success. Wake island is said to be by right already American territory, for in 1851 Admiral Wilkes surveyed the place and asserted title. It is not inhabited so far as known at the present time, though in the past some guano gatherers have temporarily lived on the island.
The Bennington is now at Honolulu and the orders to her go out by steamer. After hoisting the flag on Wake island she will proceed to Guam and make the survey of the island which was ordered some time ago. She has already completed a survey of Pearl harbor, seven miles from Honolulu, which will form the foundation of the government plans for the enlargement of the harbor there and the straightening of the channel connecting the inner harbor with the ocean.
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| Maj. Gen. Nelson Miles. |
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
Both Lieutenant General Schofield and Major General Miles have appeared before the military committee of the house and strongly advocated the increase of the standing army to 100,000 men. Both officers looked at the matter with purely military eyes, and from their point of view their arguments were forcible. General Miles believes that the mere increase in population and area of territory to be governed makes such an army absolutely necessary, and General Schofield virtually agrees with him. Both officers, in alluding to the American repugnance to a large standing army, point out that this is not a large army when compared with the exigencies of the nation and that quite independently of the unsettled foreign policy with respect to the Philippines the borders of our own states and the preservation of peace in Cuba and Porto Rico call for this expansion of the regular force. It is understood in Washington that the committee on military affairs is not opposed to this view. There are two bills ready for presentation. They differ in details of organization, but both recognize the necessity for an increased force.
History seems to be repeating itself when we read about General Lee and Captain Sigsbee and their doings in Havana. Every American will heartily pray that history may not repeat itself in the case of the Maine's sister ship, the Texas, which has been sent to Havana under command of the man who saw 266 of his brave men done to death in that city's harbor by Spanish treachery.
For the most part what is known in Europe as the labor party looks upon the acquisition of the Philippines by the United States as a gain for the cause of humanity. Several of the labor organs have expressed themselves without reserve to that effect, and Jean Jaures, one of the most radical of the socialists, speaks in his newspaper of "the old and clumsy Asia being invaded by the most intense and vibrant life of the west." He declares that this western life is going to absorb and make over the dull masses of orientalism. This is not the view of the foreign conservative organs, many of which predict for the United States a new era of difficulties for which nothing in our theory of government provides a remedy.
Entertained the Students.
Dr. and Mrs. Francis J. Cheney entertained last evening at their home on Church-st., a number of Normal students who live at such a distance from Cortland that they do not go to their homes for the Holiday vacation. Refreshments were served and the evening was passed in games and in a social way. About twenty were present. The thoughtfulness of Dr. Cheney in extending the invitation was thoroughly appreciated by the students.
Will Furnish Textbooks.
The committee on textbooks of the board of education opened the bids for supplying the new books for the [Cortland] Central school library Friday afternoon, the following figures being given: Smith & Beaudry, $422.55; McKinney & Doubleday $426. 94. The contract was awarded to Smith & Beaudry at their figures. The state will pay one-half this amount.
A Small Smudge.
The [Cortland] fire department was called out at 9 o'clock last evening by an alarm sent in from box 232, corner of Main-st. and Maple-ave., but though hose was laid, no water was thrown. The blaze was in a storeroom on the second floor of S. M. Benjamin's marble shop in the rear of rooms occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Allen H. Wicks. Michael Burns, who was passing, rushed in and with a couple of pails of water put out the fire, which was among some grape baskets. The origin of the fire is a complete mystery, as it is not known that any one had been in the room in some time. This is the third time within a year that a blaze has occurred in the same room. No damage resulted.
A Handy Little Booklet.
Superintendent Jas. F. Costello has just issued a neat little book, giving the location of all fire alarm boxes in the village, and the places where keys can be found. It is a handy little booklet, and also contains instructions to key-holders to the department code of bell signals and a number of "don'ts" which can well be observed to prevent fire. It can be obtained from Mr. Costello at Fireman's hall.
Chinese Social.
Mrs. J. W. Keese, superintendent of the junior Christian Endeavor society of the Congregational church, entertained the members of that organization at a Chinese social at her home, 15 Prospect-st. last evening. The entertainment was a novel one and thoroughly enjoyed by the young people. Chinese lanterns and Chinese decorations of unique character were arranged with pleasing effect throughout the rooms. Refreshments were served in Chinese fashion by young ladies and gentlemen in Chinese costumes. Games and other forms of entertainment completed the program for the evening. A large number of the members were present.
C. O. C. E.
The annual Christmas reunion of the C. O. C. E. was held last evening at Little York. Mine Host Raymond surpassed all his former efforts in his zeal to entertain his guests and advance the good of the order. The evening was passed in a manner characteristic of the club. The banquet was followed by informal toasts, after which the party broke up at the usual hour.
The party was chaperoned by Mrs. H. H. Nixon of Homer. The members present were Misses Beasie, Morgan, Sears, Lamont, Southworth, Nixon and Towers, and Messrs. Case, Tanner, Sears, Gibbs, Tower and Burgess.
BREVITIES.
—The STANDARD is indebted to Mr. Samuel T. Sarson of Plainfield, N. J., for copies of the Plainfield papers.
—Monday being the day to be generally observed in Cortland as the Christmas Holiday, no paper will be issued from this office.
—All trains leaving Cortland last night and this morning were crowded with Normal students going home for the Holidays.
—The funeral of Lewis E. Job is to be held from 82 Groton-ave., Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment in Cortland Rural cemetery.
—Miss Halbert's Christmas musicale will be held at her studio on Tuesday evening, Dec. 27, at 8 o'clock. After that the studio will be closed till Jan. 2.
—Frank Braman of Cortland has bought a half interest in the grist mill of his uncle Henry Braman at Whitney Point, and will move to that place soon.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Wm. G. Leland, Grand Hotel, page 5; A. S. Burgess, Merry Christmas to All, page 8; Bingham Bros. & Miller, Wish You Merry Christmas, page 7.
—The new electric lights at the Presbyterian church were tested last night and proved entirely satisfactory. The church will be lighted by electricity to-morrow night for the first time at a church service.
—An order for the Eureka egg preserver was a few days ago received from a London concern, and the shipment was promptly made. The knowledge of the excellence of this preserver seems to be spreading.
—Mr. O. V. Eldridge has just secured from Delaware county the skin of a pure white fox. The fox is very beautiful indeed. The animal was killed there. A white fox is a rare find. The fox measured 46 inches from tip to tip.
—All of the churches have services with special reference to Christmas day to-morrow morning. In the evening many of them have Christmas programs. The special programs were published either yesterday or to-day in other columns.
—The subject of the sermon by Rev. U. S. Mllburn at the Universalist church to-morrow night will be "The Secret of the Power of Christmas." Miss Verdine Peck will lead the praise service at 6 o'clock. The Sunday-school entertainment will occur on Monday night.
—The December number of the Teachers' Institute, published by E. L. Kellogg & Co., New York, has a fine picture of the Cortland Normal building and also a portrait of the Principal, Dr. Francis J. Cheney. The paper gives a page to the picture, portrait and descriptive matter in reference to the school, its organization and efficient work.
—A Christmas entertainment for the Sunday school of the Presbyterian church was held this afternoon at 3 o'clock. Entertainments for the schools of the First M. E., First Baptist, Grace Episcopal, Memorial Baptist will be held this evening. Exercises for the Homer-ave. M. E., and the Congregational churches will be held Sunday evening. The Congregational East Side Sunday-school and the Universalist churches hold their entertainments Monday night.
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