The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-12-29
LOSING HIS HOLD.
AguinaldO's Power Of the Phlli-
p.nOs on the Wane.
EXCESSIVE TAXATION THE TROUBLE
Dewey Discusses the sItuatIon-Ths Ad-
miral IL Confident Of His Ability 20
Hsld the Islands.

Manila-The popularity OF Aguinaldo
Is waning. Excessive taxation Of rich
natives and constant demands for
money have weakened him, aud the
majority Of natives nov favor Ameri-
can government. The policy Of the
rebel chief has been such that he ha,
estranged large and influential elias.
Of the natives.
Rear Admiral Dewey. when CORES.
pondent called upon him, received him
courteously aud pleasantly, hut ALSO.
lutely declined TO discuss the political
situation In the Philippine islands. on
the ground that his sphcrc was purely
naval. The Admiral seldom goes
ashore, and insisted tina. his inter.
viewer was in better position 10 nc.
quire Information than himself. lie
then prcceeSied Ia oross.examine the
correspondent about everything ashore.
lie was glad 10 learn the insaigents
were releasing the Aiek Spanish soldiers
they held prisoners, Notwithstanding
Aguinaldo's grandiloquent refusal "a
do 50. This proves that the insurgents
are very conciliatory in spite Of theil
defiant talk.
Admiral Dewey always believed that
the insurgents were friendly, and es.
pecially since the war ships Of our fleet
have visited the different ports OF those
islands, and since some OF our officers
have made tours inland, carefully in.
vestigating popular sentiment and Judi
ciously preaching the gospel OF peaceful
settlement everywhere, with highly
satisfactory results. A few influential
Filipinos, in an ambitious attempt al
self-advancement, are clamoring fol
Independence, though unable to realiz,
its true meaning. They are utterly
ignorant of the difference between tn,
name and the reality.
The agitators here invariably admit
that they would be unable to stanC
without American protection. But il
spite OF this they continue their mean
ingless cutlery for independence anC
may possibly create trouble. The AID
miral, however, believes this to be i'm
probable at the present juncture
though every trifiing incident counts
However, every day that passes with
out conflict means so much gain, be
cause the friendly feeling is steadily
increasing, the incipient roughness il
disappearing and the agitators are weak
ening.
The newspapers of Manila are doinl
particularly valuable work in the 81
multaneous publication of conciliatory
articles printed in Spanish and in Eng
lish. This course is looked upon a.
being certain to eliminate the i'll feel
ing which has existed here.
1t is the opinion of the Admiral that
it would be advisable for the United
States to pay insurgent troops theil
arrears of wages. The whole amount
would be comparatively trifiing sum
and the payment of the troops would
have valuable effect, and may save
incalculable trouble.
Admiral Dewey was strongly con
vincd that the insurgents deserve
acknowledgment. He is believer
in the practicabiiity of liberal measures
in the direction of local autonomy.
Regarding the possibility of interna
tional complications, Admiral Dewe,
said: prior to the arrival of tn,
monitors felt uneasy, but now an
ready to hold this position against tn,
whole EARTH