The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-12-27
Dewey Will Not Talk of
Philippine Future.
FRIENDLY FEELING is GROWING
AgltatorS and Their Admissions.
The Newspapers-Chan
for Am meriCaps-German

MANILA, Dec. 16.-Rear Admiral
Dewey, when the correspondent of the
Associated Press called on him today.
was courteous and pleasant, but abso-
lutely declined to discuss the political
situation in the Philippines, on the
ground that his sphere was purely nav
al. He then proceeded to cross-ex-
anime the correspondent about every
| thing ashore. He was glad to learn
that the insurgents were releasing the
sick Spanish soldiers they held as pris-
oners, 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, es-
pecially since the warships of our fleet
have visited the different ports of the
islands, and since some of our officers
have made tours inland carefully IN
vestlgating popular sentiment and ju-
dlclouSly preaching the gospel OF a
peaceful settlement everywhere, with
highly satisfactory results. A few in
fiuential Filipinos, in ambition for
self-adyancement, are clamoring for
independence, though unable to realize
ilS true meaning.
They are utterly ignorant of the diff
ference between the name and reali-
ty. Agitators here invariably admit
they would be unable to stand with
out American protection, but in spite
of this, they continue their meaning
less Outcry for independence and may
possibly create trouble. Admiral Dew
ey, 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 gained,
because friendly feeling is steadily in
creasing, the incipient roughness dis
appearing and agitators are weakening
The newspapers of Manila are doing
particularly valuable work in simulta-
neous publications of conciliatory ar
ticles 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 their discharge
here and engage in pioneer enterprises.
He believes there is a practically un-
limited field for planters, farmers and
miners here, as to the suggestion that
if the natives prove to be obstreperous,
Iucy might De ndHueu over TO
Germany or other ungentle land
grabbers, the admiral said he be-
lieved the Germans now have en-
tirely abandoned their designs in
the Philippine islands, though for
merly, he said, the German attitude
here had cause him indescribable anx-
iety. According to recent information
received here, Filipinos insurgents are
endeavoring to maintain a brave show
for the purpose of securing the best
terms possible from the Americans.
1t is the opinion Of our admiral that
it would be advisable for the United
States TO pay the insurgent troops their
arrears of wages. The whole amount
would be a comparatively trifiing sum,
and the payment of the troops would
have valuable effect, and may save
incalculable trouble. Admiral Dewey
was strongly convinced that the Fill
pino insurgents deserve acknowledge
ment He is a believer in the prac-
ticability OF liberal measures in the
direction of local autonomy.
Regarding the possibility of interna
tional complications. Admiral Dewey
said: prior to the arrival of the
monitors [ felt uneasy, but now l am
ready 10 hold this position against the
whole earth"