While their contest with that power has been a matter of public notoriety, they have neither asked nor received from this Government any recognition.  The United States, in entering upon the occupation of the islands, as the result of its military operations in that quarter, will do so in the exercise of the rights which the state of war confers, and will expect from the inhabitants, without regard to their former attitude toward the Spanish Government, that obedience which will be lawfully due from them.

“If, in the course of your conferences with General Aguinaldo, you acted upon the assumption that this Government would co-operate with him for the furtherance of any plan of his own, or that, in accepting his co-operation, it would consider itself pledged to recognize any political claims which he may put forward, your action was unauthorized and can not be approved.

Respectfully yours,

William E. Day.

The following letter is a valuable link in the chain of the story of the Philippines: 

Hongkong, August 4, 1898.

Sir:  By request I have the honor to confirm the following telegram sent you on the 2d instant: 

Cortes family, representing wealthy educated families Manila, implore you through Consul-General Wildman, in name humanity and Christianity, not to desert them, and aid to obtain annexation Philippines to America.  Please see the President.

I may add in explanation of this telegram that there is a large colony of wealthy Filipinos who have been driven out of Manila, and the bulk of whose fortunes have been confiscated, resident here.  They are people of education as well as wealth, and they are intensely loyal to the United States.  The Cortes family are particularly so, and they have contributed money liberally to aid Aguinaldo on the understanding that he was fighting for annexation of the Philippines to the United States.  Naturally I sympathize with them in their desire to become a part of the United States, and have advised them that you would give their cablegram your kindly consideration.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

Rounsevelle Wildman, Consul-General.

Hon. Marcus Hanna,
United States Senate, Washington.

Mr. Andre, the Belgian Consul at Manila, an important man, wrote the American Commission in Paris, that “everybody in the Philippines, even Spanish merchants,” begged the Americans for protection, and added: 

“The Indians do not desire independence.  They know that they are not strong enough.  They trust the United States, and they know that they will be treated risditly.  The present rebellion only represents a half per cent, of the inhabitants, and it would not be right to oblige 6,000,000 inhabitants to submit to 30,000 rebels.  Luzon is only partly held by them, and it is not to be expected that a civilized nation will make them present with the rest of the