The Topeka State Journal

AGONCILLO FLED
And is Now Safe in Montreal, Canada,

Montreal, Feb. 6.—Agoncillo, the Filipino representative arrived here at 7:45 this morning.

Agoncillo says that he has been unable to communicate with Aguinaldo, owing to the strict censorship exercised by the United States authorities and thinks that it is his duty, under the circumstances, to place himself beyond its jurisdiction so that he will be able to communicate with his home people.

He condemns the action of the United States government in refusing him permission to communicate with his home government. He says he is not here for the purpose of avoiding arrest.

"I heard about Saturday's affair before leaving New York last night," Agoncillo said, "and it surprised me greatly. I had no idea that affairs at Manila had reached such a critical stage; in fact, I considered that they were perhaps getting a trifle better. But I had no news from the Philippines."

"And you expect to receive it here?" he was asked.

"I do; the Washington authorities would not allow me to receive any cable messages. There is a censor at Manila and the use of codes is forbidden. I was completely in the dark save for the advice I received by mail and what I learned from the newspapers. And the Philippines is a long way off, you know, so that the mails are almost useless.

Therefore we have come to Montreal, where we will be enabled to receive the news we desire by cable. When I receive it I expect to return to Washington and continue my efforts to fulfill my mission to the United States.

"As to the affair of Saturday and Sunday, I do not regard it as ending the usefulness of my mission. From the bulletins received by the officials in Washington and from the Associated Press dispatches I gather that the fighting began very suddenly and unexpectedly. I think that the Filipinos were goaded to come into it by some act of the Americans. For months they have been doing their best to drive the Filipinos into revolt. Gen. Otis has sent men to search private residences and the property of our people has been turned inside out in the search instituted by his orders. Acts like this have kept the spirit of the Filipinos at fever heat and made such affairs as that of Saturday and Sunday possible."

"A Washington dispatch states that you left that city because you knew there would be fighting at Manila on Saturday or Saturday evening."

Agoncillo smiled broadly. "No," he answered, "I only learned of it after I had left New York last evening from a gentleman who got on between here and New York. If my cable service was so good that I could learn in advance when there were to be any developments I should be in Washington. I came to Montreal in order to receive the news which was not allowed to reach me in Washington. When I receive it—I do not know how soon or how long I may have to wait—it is my present intention to return to New York."

"Do you think the United States senate will ratify the treaty today?"

"I can not say. When I left Washington, I knew that the friends of the treaty lacked two votes of the number necessary to ratify the treaty.'"

"One reason why the affair of Saturday surprised me is that I had sent the news to my people that the people of the United States were favorable to us in our desire for independence. The more I look at it, the more I am convinced that the affair of Saturday was not the fault of the Filipinos."

"Do you consider that the fighting will result in securing the ratification of the treaty?"

"I can not say. The Filipinos I am sure did not start it. I do not say that the Americans did so with the intention of influencing the vote in the senate. It may have started accidentally in the dark. I trust that it will not be as reported."