Evening star., 1898-12-16
TO BE HEARD OF MEN
Only Meaning to Much Of the Fill
pinos' Fierce Talk.
RELEASING SICK SPANISH PRISONERS
Admiral Dewey Suggests Paying
Off the Insurgent Troops.
KAISER NOT AFTER ISLANDS

MANILA. Philippine Islands, December
16.-Rear Admiral Dewey. when corre-
spondent of the Associated Press called
upon him today. courteously. pleasantly,
but absolutely. declined to discuss the polit
ical situation in the Philippine Islands, on
the ground that his sphere was purely
naval
The admiral seldom GOES ashore and in
sisted that his interviewer was in better
position to acquire Information than him
self. 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 Aguinaldos S
grandiloquent refusal to do 50. This proves
that the insurgents are very cOnciliatory
in spite of their defiant talk.
Admiral Dewey always believed that
the insurgents We're friendly especially
since the warships of our fleet have visited
the different ports of these islands and
since some of our officers have made tours
inland, carefully investigating popular sem
timent and judicious.y preachiAg the s.
pei of peaceful settlement everywhere with
highly satisfactory results.
Few ClamorinE for Independence.
A few influential Fiipinos in an am
bilious attempt at se,f-advancement, are
clamoring for independence, though unable
to realize it's true meaning They are ut
terly ignorant of the difference between
the name and the reality.
The agitators here invariably admit that
they would be unable to stand without
American protection. But, in spite OF ms,
they continue their meaningless outcry 1or
Independence, and may possibly create
trouble
The admiral. however believes this to be
improbable at the present juncture, though
every trifiing incident counts. HoWever'
every day that passes without conflict
means so much gain, because the friendly
feeling is steadily increasing. the incipient
rcughness is disappearing and the agltator5
are weakening.
The newspapers of Manila are doing par
ticularly valuable work in the Simultaneous
publication of conciiiatory articles printed
in Spanish and in English. 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 discharges here and engage
in pioneering enterprises. he beileVeS there
is a practically unlimited field for planters,
farmers and miners here. To the sugSeS-
ton that if the natives prove to be Cb-
streperous perhaps they might be handed
over TO the Germans or other ungentle
land grabbers the admiral said he believed
the Germans now have entirely abandoned
their design in the Philippine Islands,
though. formerly, he said. the German at
titude here had caused him indeseribable
anxiety.
Would Pay InsurEent Troops.
According to recent information received
here. the Filipino insurgents are endeaVOr-
ing to maintain a brave show for the pur-
pose 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 iusurgent troops
their arrears Of wages. The whole amount
would be a comparatively tritiing sum and
the payment of the troops would have
valuable effect and may save incalcu able
trouble.
Admiral Dewey was strongly convinced
that the Filipino insurgents deserve ac-
acknowledgement. He is a believer in the
practicability of liberal measures in the
direction of local autonomy
Regarding the possibility of International
complications Admira. Dewey said: Prior
to the arrival of the monitors | felt un-
easy but now / am ready to mold this posi-
ton against the whole earth.