From our conversation I infer that independence will be given to us.

I did not, however, disclose to him our true desires....

Said consul approved my telegram to McKinley, which has been sent to-day through him, a copy of which is herewith enclosed.

If they accept our representative in the commission, we may arrive at a friendly understanding, and it will enable us to prepare for the fight in case they refuse to listen to our request.

On the other hand, if at the very beginning they refuse to admit our representative, we will at once be in a position to know what should be done, _i.e._ to prepare for war." [42] On May 4, 1898, the Hongkong junta voted that Aguinaldo ought to go to the Philippines, and go he did.