Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1899 — TO RANSOM THE SPANIARDS. [ARTICLE]

TO RANSOM THE SPANIARDS.

Prisoner* in Filipinos’ Hands May Be lo Released. The United States Government is satisfied that the Spanish authorities will arrange for the release of the Spanish prisoners in the custody of the Philippine insurgents through the payment of a ransom, perhaps as much as $3,000,000, the

amount demanded by Aguinaldo. The United States will not offer any objection to the payment of a large sum of money to the insurgents, despite the advantage Which its possession will give. This Government is pledged to do everything in its power to assist Spain in securing the release of its subjects who are within the insurgent lines, and it in.tends to adhere to the pledge. It Is.believed that the money will be of no advantage to Agninaldo on account of the practical stoppage of traffic between the Philippines and the outside world, and, in fact, may prove a detriment to the insurgents through quarrels among their leaders as to its division.