The commissioner was Don Felipe Agoncillo, and his secretary, Sixto Lopez.
Saturday, September 24, the Salt Lake newspapers contained stories to the effect that the Germans had entered into an alliance offensive and defensive with the Aguinaldo government and would furnish equipments for an army of 150,000 men.

We were on the Union Pacific Railroad at the time, and I called the attention of Don Felipe Agoncillo to this remarkable intelligence and asked him what he thought of it.

He said emphatically that it was "Nothing," "No true," "Nothing at all," and he laughed at the comic idea.

There was also in the Salt Lake newspapers a statement that the Aguinaldo 'government' had sent to President McKinley a letter strongly expressing good-will and gratitude.

There did not seem to be much news in this for Don Felipe, but it gave him much pleasure, and he, not perhaps diplomatically but enthusiastically, pronounced it good.
_What Agoncillo Approved_.
The dispatch marked with his approbation by the Philippine commissioner was the following from Washington, under date of September 23: "The President doubtless would be glad to hear any views these Filipinos might care to set forth, being fresh from the islands and thoroughly acquainted with the wishes of the insurgents.