Filipino
people, seeking the good of the country, and I invite their full
confidence and aid."

Aguinaldo, on this conciliatory definition of American purposes,
objects to General Otis calling himself "Military Governor," and
cries out, with "all the energy of his soul against such authority,"
and alludes to the policy of the President referring to the Philippine
annexation, adding:

"I solemnly protest, in the name of God, the root and fountain of all
justice and of all right, and who has given to me power to direct my
dear brothers in the difficult work of our regeneration, against this
intrusion of the government of the United States in the sovereignty
of these islands.

"And so, you must understand, my dear brothers, that, united by bonds
which it will be impossible to break, such is the idea of our liberty
and our absolute independence, which have been our noble aspirations,
all must work together to arrive at this happy end, with the force
which gives conviction, already so generally felt, among all the
people, to never turn back in the road of glory, on which we have
already so far advanced."

President McKinley, on the evening of February l5th, addressed at
the Boston Home Market Club banquet, all civilized nations, setting
forth the policy of the United States in the Philippines, saying:

"The Philippines, like Cuba and Porto Rico, were intrusted to our hands
by the war, and to that great trust, under the providence of God and
in the name of human progress and civilization, we are committed. It
is a trust from which we will not flinch.

"There is universal agreement that the Philippines shall not be turned
back to Spain. No true American would consent to that.

"The suggestions that they should be tossed into the arena for the
strife of nations or be left to the anarchy or chaos of no protectorate
at all were too shameful to be considered. The treaty gave them to
the United States. Could we have required less and done our duty?

"Our concern is not for territory, or trade, or empire, but for the
people whose interests and destiny were put in our hands.

"It is not a good time for the liberator to submit important
questions to the liberated while they are engaged in shooting down
their rescuers.

"The future of the Philippine Islands is now in the hands of the
American people.

"I know of no better or safer human tribunal than the people.

"Until Congress shall direct otherwise, it will be the du