AGUINALDO EXHORTATION TO THE FILIPINOS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3883, 28 October 1899, Page 2

AGUINALDO EXHORTATION TO THE FILIPINOS

- Aguinaldp .made: a speech at the recent celebratibri\in "Tarlac on the auniversary'ot, the proclamation of Filipino independence V-inA which the “Indepenas saying : / ‘Thilippihe'Tslaiids! Beloved daughter of the ardent sun of the tropics, commendeds -by providence - to- -the -care 'of noble "Spain, be not ungrateful to her salute who warmed you with the breath of Her own culture and civilisation. It is time she sought to crush thy aspiration for independence, as a loving mother opposes ’ separation for ever from the daughter of her bosom. This but proves the excess of affection and love Spain feels for thee. ' “Philippine Islands! Delicate flower of tho East, scarcely eight months weaned from the breast of thy mother, thou hast dared to brave a great and powerful nation such as is the United States, after barely organising and disciplining thy little army. Yet we reply, ‘We will be slaves to none, nor allow ourselves to be deceived by soft words.' MONROE DOCTRINE ADOPTED. “Let us continue to defend our fatherland till independence is assured, for : this is just. At length we shall see that the great Ainerican nation will acknowledge that right is on our side. The doctrine of the {great Monroe, that America is for Americans, is not forgotten.,, So .we affirm ■ that the Philippines are for the Filipinos. “Some States of the American Union have arisen in our favour. The Democratic party especially is convinced that both victors and vanquished will lose precious lives Thus many people, many statesmen, censure President McKinley as inhuman for having ordered his military representatives at Manila to seek means to bring about hostilities with the Filipinos.; “These facts prove that they wish to try us to see if we are able to live up to. the second colours - ' of our banner (red), which signifies courage, heroism, and martyrdom. Therefore we should not resent this struggle with the Americans 'in suite of their expressed desire to dominate over the Philippines. They are well convinced that we fight with justice and fight'on our side, and that autonomy is all a show of deceit, only serving to save certain accumulated wealth. “We have never concealed our aspirations—that we aim only at independence, that we will struggle on to obtain it, perhaps from those who are now -our enemies and to-morrow - will bo our allies, as they were for the overthrew of the power of Spain. We .might well accept this autonomy America offers us, but what pan;we do with it if our ambition is . .independence and if we are to accept it' only to afterwards overthrow by force of arms ‘ the sovereignty of America? .. . SCORNS TREACHERY; ;' “Let us , persist m our idea, which is merely the legitimate, noble aspiration- of a people desirous at all cost of preserving national honour spotless: and pure as■ crystal. Thus there.-will; not..be A ' single ; ■ Filipino autonomist. .Those ; who are so are bub time-servers-m the eyes of the people, fearful of losing their, riches/ threatened by- risks, of-war. “Filipinos, let us be constant! Let .us strengthen the .bonds of our union!” In closing; Aguinaldo. called for cheers for independence, the -Philippine' Union, 'and the Liberating Amy. .. .. , ~ ,