Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-11
Aguinaldo Promised Dewey to Main
tain Civilized Warfare.
ADMIRAL DEWEY BELIEVED him
Spanish Had Broken Their Prom
ises to the Rebels.
HIS FUTURE ASPIRATIONS

by the steamer Empress of Japan from
Hong Kong regarding negotiations be-
tween the Philippine rebel chief Aguinal-
do and the United States at Singapore 1t
seems that just before the actual out
break of hostilities between Spain and the
United States Singapore was the scene of
Il secret political arrangement by which
General Emilio Aguinaldo Femi, su-
preme head of the revolutionary move
ment in the Philippines, entered into direct
relations with Admiral Dewey while that
officer was still at Hong Kong.
In order to understand and appreciate
this interesting historical incident properly
it Will be necessary to allude to the causes
leading to this second appearance of the
rebellion in the Philippines, which was
almost coincident with, though not insti-
gated by, the strained relations between
Spain and the United States.
In December last General Primo de Ri
vera, who above all other Spanish generals
had intimate knowledge of the country and
its inhabitants, found the position untena-
BILE for both parties. Neither of these had
the remotest chance to terminate the re-
bel.ion- decisively, the rebels being secure
in their mountain Businesses, the Spaniards
holding the chief towns and villages on
the coast.
Negotiations for Peace.
Primo de Rivera, therefore, sent two
well known Philippine natives occupying
high positions in Manila to propose terms
OF peace to Aguinaldo in Biac Ma Bato. A
council Of the revolutionary government
was held, in which it was agreed to lay
down their arms condition of certain re-
forms being introduced.
Primo de Rivera agreed to these reforms
in substance and made It a condition that
the principal rebel leaders must leave the
country during his majesty's pleasure. AS
these leaders had lost all of their property
or had had it confiscated and plundered the
government agreed to provide them with
funds to live in becoming manner on for
elsn soil.
The rebels laid down their arms and peace
was apparently secured but no sooner had
they done so and returned to their houses
than the intransigente religious orders COM
menced at once to again prosecute them
and trump up imaginary charges to procure
their rearrest.
The Spanish government, on its side i'm
agining itself secure, desisted from carry
ing out the promised reforms, thinking an
other trick like that played on the Cubans
after the peace arranged by Martinez Cam
pos might succeed. The Philippiners, how
ever, refused to be made dupes of and took
up arms again, not alone in the immediate
districts around Manila, but throughout the
Gen. Aguinaldo, accompanied by his aid
de-camp, Col. Marcelo H. del Piler, and
private secretary, ]. Leyba, arrived incog-
nito in Singapore from Saigon April u,
1898. In Saigon, where Aguinaldo had re-
manned tor one week, he had interviewed
one or two old Philippine friends, now re-
siding there.
The special purpose of Aguinaldo's visit
to Singapore was to consult other friends
there, particularly Howard w. Bray, an old
and Intimate English friend, for fifteen
years resident In the Philippines, about the
affairs OF the islands generally, particular
ly as to ths possibility of war between the
United States and Spain, and whether in
the event of success the United States
would eventually recognize the independ-
ence Of the Philippines. provided ne lent his
cooperation to the Americans in the con-
quest of the country.
The Real Situation.
The situation was this:
That the conditions of the honorable
peace concluded December IA, 1897, between
Agulnaido, on behalf of the Philippine
rebels, and Gov. Gen. Primo de Rivera, on be-
nall OF Spain. had not been carried out, al
enough their immediate execution had been
Vouched for in the agreement. These re-
terms would have provided protection to
the people against organized oppression and
rapaclty religious fraternities, and would
nave secured improved civil and criminal
procedure in courts and have mada good in
many ways the improvement in fiscal con-
ditious of the people.
The reputation by the Spanish govern
Ment of these conditions made by Rivera
left the rebel leaders. who had, for the most
part gone to Hong Kong, free to act And
1t was in pursuance of that freedom of
action that Aguinaldo again sought counsel
of friends in Saigon and Singapore, with a
view of the immediate resumption of hos
tnities in the Philippines.
Meanwhile Mr.. Bray was introduced to
Spencer Pratt. consul general of the United
States, who was anxious, in view of con-
tngencies. to learn as much as possible
about the real condition of the Philippines
1t was few days after this that Aguinaldo
arrived at Singapore, when he at once net
his friends. including Bray.
Affairs were now becoming more warlike
Bray, after conversation with Pratt.
tween that gentleman and Aguinaldo
There were present Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo
Femi, L. Spencer Pratt. consul general
United States of America; Howard w.
Bray. Aguinaldo's private secretary; J.
Leyba. Col NJ. H. del Pillar and Mariselno
Santos.
During the conference, at which Bray
acted as interpreter. Aguinaldo explained
TO the American consul general, Pratt. Incl
dents and objects of the late rebellion. and
described the present disturbed state of
the country. Asuinaldo then proceeded to
detail the nature of the cooperation ha
could give, in which he. in the event of the
American forces from the squadron landing
and taking possession Of Manila, would
guarantee to maintain order and discipline
among the native troops and inhabitants In
the same humane way In which he had
hitherto conducted war, and prevent them
from committing outrages on defenseless
Spaniards beyond the inevitable in fair and
honorable warfare.
Able to Establish q Government.
He further declared his ability to estab-