Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-17

HOLD HIS POSITION AGAINST
THE WORLD.
Manila, Philippine Islands, December
16.-Rear Admiral Dewey, when cor
respondent of the Associated Press
called upon him to-day, conrtcously,
pleasantly but absolutely declined 10
discuss the political situation in the
Philippine Islands, on the ground that
his sphere was purely naval. The adj
miral seldom goes ashore, and Insisted
that his interviewer was in a better
| position to acquire information than
| himself. He then proceeded to cross
examine the correspondent about
everything ashore. He was glad to
learn the insurgents were releasing
| the sick Spanish soldiers they held
prisoners Notwithstanding Aguinaldo's
grandiloquent refusal to do so. This
proves that the insurgents are very
conciliatory, in spite of their defiant
| talk.
| Admiral Dewey always believed that
the insurgents were friendly, especially
since the warships of our fleet have
visited the different ports OF these is
lands. and since some Of our officers
have made tours inland, carefully in
vestigating popular sentiment and
judiciously preaching the gospel OF
peaceful settlement everywhere with
highly satisfactory insults. A few in
fuential Filipinos, in an ambitious at
tempt at self-advancement, are clamor-
ing for independence, though unable
to realize it's true meaning. They are
utterly ignorant of the difference be-
tween the name and the reality.
The agitators here invariably admit
that they would be unable to stand
without American protection, but IN
spite of this they continue their mean
ingless cutlery for independence, and
may possibly create trouble. The adj
miral, however, believes this to lie i'm
probable at the present juncthre.
though every trifing incident counss.
However, every day that passes with
out conflict means SO Hpuch. gain;
H btscsSs-.~ ls frl9l
increasing. the inapfehfs (ighI
disappearing and the agitators are
weakening.
The newspapers of Manila are doing
particularly valuable work in the SIM
ultaneous publication of conciliatory
articles printed in Spanish and In Eng
lish. This course is looked upon as
being certain to eliminate the friction
which has existed here.
The admiral is greatly interested In
the movement among the American
volunteers to obtain discharges here
and engage in pioneering enterprises
He believes there Is a practically un-
limited field for planters, farmers and
miners here. TO the suggestion that
If the natives prove to be obstreperous
perhaps they might DO handed over
to the Germans or other ungentle land
| grabbers, the admiral said he believ-
ed the Germans now have entirely
abandoned their design In the Philip
pine islands, though formerly, he said.
the German attitude here had caused
him indescribable anxiety.
According TO recent information re-
ceived here, the Filipino insurgents are
| endeavoring to maintain brave show
for the purpose OF securing the bes
terms possible from the Americans. II :
is the opinion of our admiral that II
would be advisable for the United
States to pay insurgent troops their
arrears of wages. The whole amount
would be comparatively trifiing sum
and the payment of the troops would
have a pacific effect and may save in-
| calculable trouble.
Admiral Dewey was strongly con-
WINGED that the Filipino insurgents de-
serve some recognition. He is be-
lever in the practicabIlity OF liberal
measures in the direction Of local au-
tonomy. Regarding the possibility Of
international complications. Admiral
| Dewey said: Prior to the arrival OF
the monitors I felt uneasy. but now
am ready to hold this position against
| the whole earth.
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