The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-11

Vancouver, B. c., June 10.-Late mail
advices from Hongkong contain inter-
esting details regarding the negCtia-
tons between the Philippine rebel chief,
Aquinaldo, and the United States Off
Gals at Singapore, just before the ac-
tual outbreak Of hostilities between
Spain and the United States, as re-
suit of which General Aquinaldo en-
tered into direct relations with Admiral
Dewey while that officer was still at
Hongkong.
General Emilio Aquinaldo, aecompan-
led by his aide de camp, Colonel Mar
cello H. Del Pillar. and private secre-
tary, ]. Leyba, arrived incoSnito in
Singapore from Saigon on April 81. In
Saigon, where Aquinalde remained for
one week, he had interviews with one
or two old Philippine friends. particu-
larry Howard w. Bray, an intimate
English friend, for Is years "a resident
of the philippines, about the state of
affairs in the islands generally. Par
ticular reference was made to the pos
sbility of war between the United
States and Spain, and whether in such
an event the United States would even
tually recognize the independence of
the Philippines, provided he lent his
cooperation to the Americans in the
In the meantime MIR. Bray was in
troduced to Mr.. Spencer Pratt. consul
general of the United States, who was
anxious, in view of the contingencies,
to learn as much as possible about the
real conditions in the Philippines. Bray,
after a conversation with Consul Pratt,
arranged an interview between that
gentleman and Aquinaldo. There were
present General Aquinaido Y. Fami, E.
)I..af
United States; Howard w. Bray;
AqaInaldos private secretary, j. Ley
ba; Colonel NJ II. Del Pillar and DR..
Marcelino Santos.
During the conference, at which Mr.
Bray acted as interpreter, General
Auuinaldo explained to Consul General
Pratt the incidents and objects OF the
late rebellion, and described the present
disturbed state of the country. Aquin-
aldo then proceeded to detail the nature
of the cooperation he would give. In
the event of the American forces land
ing and taking possession of Manila, he
would guarantee to maintain order and
discipline among the native troops and
inhabitants in the Same humane way
in which he had hitherto conducted the
war, and prevent them from commit
ting outrages on defenaeless Spaniards
beyond what was inevitable in fair and
honorab warfare. He further declared
mis- ability TO establish proper and re-
sponsible government on liberal prin-
ciples and would be willing to accept
the same terms as the United States
intended giving Cuba.
Consul General Pratt coincided with
the generals views, expressed during
the discussion, placed himself at once
m Geographic communication with Adj
mjral Dewey at Hcngkorg, between
whom and Mr.. Pratt .aj,requent inter-
change of kilograms t y. place.
AS the result another private inter-
view was arranged at the American
consular residence between Aquinaldo,
Mr.. Pratt, Mr Bray and Mr.. Leyba.
as a sequel to this interview ana in
response to the urgent request ofA,Ad-
miral Dewey, Aquinaldo left Singapore
for Hongkong, where he met Dewey,
with whom he went to Manila.
At the beginning of hostilities Aquin-
aldo's policy embraced the indepen-
dence of the Philippines. their internal
affairs to be controlled by European
and American advisers. American pro-
lection would be desirable temporarily
on the same lines as this which might
be instituted hereafter in Cuba The
ports of the Philippines would be free |
TO trade of the world, safeguards being |
enacted against an influx of Chinese !
aliens who would compete with the in |
dustrial population. of the country. |
There would be complete reform of |
the present judicature of the country |
under experienced European law Off |
GERS. Entire freedom of the press would |
be established, as we'll as the right of /
public meeting. There would be general |
liberation and steps taken for |
the abolition and expulsion of tyran- |
meal religious fraternities, who have !
laid such strong hands on every branch |
!, ID l,,,t,, ic.r.s tnr, LIr,n
vision would be given for the exploita- |
ton of the natural resources and |
wealth of the country by roads and |
and by the removal of hind
RANGES TO enterprise and the invest |
nent of capital Spanish officials would
be removed to a place of safety until |
IN opportunity offered to return them
10 Spain. The preservation of the pub
.ic safety and order and the checking .
IF reprisals against Spaniards would
be the first care of the gov
eminent in the new state of affairs,