The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-31
AGUINALDo.


The authorities at Washington have
received a dispatch from Admiral
Dewey, announcing that Aguinaldo has
assumed bold attitude of defiance,
and that it would take a large force
from this country to subdue the insur-
gents.
That is precisely the news that was
to have been expected from Manila
Aguinaido and his followers have no
more use for the Americans, as rulers,
than fer the Spanish. The destruction
of Montojo's feet and the seizure of
the port of Manila by Dewey he re-
! garded as so much good fortune un-
eXpectedly sent the insurgent cause;
nothing more. Aguinaldo and his fol-
lowers are seeking independence; moth
ing else.
For time the relations existing be-
tween Admiral Dewey and Aguinaldo
seemed most cordial, and each ap-
peared to be aiding the other. Then
there were intimatiens that their re-
lations were not so cordial, and occa-
sionally there was a hint that Aguin-
aldo had either made or received pri-
vate overtures from the German ad-
miral. All this was very largely in
the clouds. Now comes this dispatch
from Dewey. The news it conveys is
so meager, lacking all details. that con
lecture must take the place of GER
tainty.
1t will be natural for the American
people TO resent the attitude Of Aguin-
aldo and look upon him as d rebel
against the authority of the United
States, but before condemning him too
severely it should be remembered that
he and his followers were fighting for
freedom and independence, the very
things the American people fought for
against Great Britain, before Admiral
Dewey's advent at Manila. If liberty
and independence are dear TO the
American people. let it not be forgotten
that they are equally dear to other
peoples. But Aguinaldo fighting for /
freedom for the Philippines and Aguin- 1
aldo setting himself up as dictator OF 1
the Philippines are not to be regarded /
in the same light, nor treated the same, I
when it comes to any rights the United
States may have acquired in the
islands. through the war with Spain.
Aguinaldo must understand that he
cannot dictate to the United States.
But this bold attitude of defiance on
the part of Aguinaldo should cause the
people Of this country to pause and
consider most seriously the question
Of the annexation of the Philippines.
Before the 1st day of May there wasn't
4 person in the United States who
thought that the Philippine islands
we're essential to the United States in
any way; and they were not, and are
lot; but the fortunes of war. having
brought this country into close contact
With them, some people-quite num-
)er-have suddenly discovered that
hese islands are positively essential
o the United States. If this country
should annex them, it would that in
itant find that it had annexed a great
nsurrection. And no faster would the
be put down in one place
han it would break ont in another.
Admiral Dewey says that it would take
large force from this country to sub
Iue the insurgents. General Merritt.
Who has just arrived at Manila. saws
lie will need all the troops originally
destined for the Philippines. The an ..
lexation Of the Philippines would be
he annexation of constant turmoil and
nsurrection.
What does this country want with an
containing eight millions
I people who are. in the truest sense
f the word. foreign to us in blood.
ongue, traditions and political insti- :
utions? Eight thousand miles from ;
ur shores, it is the idlest dream to talk :
bout assimilating them in any regard. / 6
he vast majority of the Americans
hey would see would be armed SOL :
iers. who were stationed among them
Or the purpose of holding them in :.
objection. The blessings of American !,
berty would surely be in disguise, and =,
eep, impenetrable disguise
Fortunately for the future peace of =
he United States and for the contin- :,
ity of their best traditions. the adj :
is ayerse to the annexa- :
on of the Philippines. Admiral >
ewey's dispatch about Aguinaldo will
erve the purpose of a warning to the q,
'untry against Philippine annexation. :
i