Proceedings of the first Independence congress : held in the city of Manila, Philippine islands, February 22-26, 1930 / Published under the direction of Dean maximo M. Kalaw, executive secretary, University of the Philippines.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SECTION 221
3. All this was done with the consent of the admiral in command
of the fleet and of the generals and military and political officers of
the United States of America in the Philippine Islands who, aware
of it, not only did not object to it but accepted it as a consummated
fact and maintained official relations with the new organization,
utilizing the same for their subsequent activities and for carrying on
the campaign which was consequently brought to a successful
conclusion.
4. In the Protocol between the United States of America and
Spain, it was covenanted, however, that a Commission composed of
members designated by both nations was to negotiate and conclude
the Treaty of Peace (art. 5) in which it would be determined who
was to control the Philippines, and what was to be the form of
government (art. 3).
5. Neither one State nor other apparently gave attention to the
right of the Filipinos to participate in this determination which will
affect their destinies in history.
6. The lawful government of the natives now functioning in the
Philippine Islands has been sanctioned by the only legitimate source
of public power, the vote of its fellow-citizens, whose authority and
representation it has, and it has in fact been recognized, not objected to, and utilized by the American nation. Said Government,
in the performance of its duties, considers that it must address itself
to the American public powers and remind them of its right, owing
to its existence, its services, and its loyalty, to be consulted and considered and given a voice and decisive vote in all the questions to be
finally settled in the Paris Conference or in consequence thereof,
concerning the Philippines.
7. The present lawful Philippine Government, of which the invincible leader General Emilio Aguinaldo is the president, also believes
that the moment has come to remind and even to notify, if proper,
in a formal and precise manner, the Illustrious President and Government of Washington of its existence and normal andregular functioning, as well as of its relations of reciprocity with the authorities of
the American Republic in the Philippine Islands.
8. It desires to state (in the same manner), that the Philippine
people unanimously confirms its independence and confides that the
American people will recognize the same, mindful of the offers made
and obligations contracted in its name, proclaiming the principles
of liberty, justice, and right expressed in its famous, sacred Declaration of Independence for the benefit of the new nation which logically
rises in that part of the globe under the impulse of its present
beneficent and humanitarian action.
9. And the Philippine people hope that pending a permanent
understanding for the evacuation of their territory, their present