The herald., 1898-12-17
DEWEY INTERVIEWED
ON CONDITION OF AFFAIRS AT
MANILA
THE ADMIRAL NOT TALKATIVE
But He Makes a Number of Sensible
Suggestions Of the Methods to
Be Followed
Associated Press Special Wire


MANILA, Philippine Islands, Dec. l6.-
Rear Admiral Dewey, when correspon-
dent of the Associated Press called upon
him today, courteously, pleasantly put an
solutely declined to discuss the present SIT
uation in the Philippine Islands, on the
ground that his sphere was purely naval.
The Admiral seldom goes ashore, ana IN
sisted that his interviewer was In petter
position to acquire information than HIM
self. He then proceeded to cross-examne
the correspondent about everything ashore.
He was glad to learn the insurgents were
releasing the sick Spanish soldiers they held
as prisoners, notwithstanding Aguinaldo
grandiloquent refusal to do so. This proves
that the insurgents are very concllatory, IN
spite of their defiant talk.
Admiral Dewey always believed that the
insurgents were friendly, and especially
since the warships of our fleet have visited
the different ports of those islands, and
since some of our officers have made tours
of the island, carefully investigating popu'
lar sentiment and judiciously preaching the
gospel of peaceful settlement everywhere
with highly satisfactory results. A few IN
fuential Filpinos, in an ambitious attempt
at self-advancement, are ciamoring for in
dependence, though unable to realize its
true meaning. They are utterly ignorant
of the difference between the name and
the reality.
The agtators here invariably admit that
they would be unable to stand without
American protection. But in spite OF this,
they continue their meaningless outcry for
independence and may possibly create
trouble. The Admiral, however, believes
this to be improbable at the present june
ture, though every triiling incident counts.
However, every day that passes without a
conflict means so much gain, because the
friendly feeling is steadily increasing, the
incpient roughness is disappearing and the
ugitators are weakening
The newspapers of Manila are doing par
publication of conciliatory articles printed in
publication of conclitory 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 believes there
is a practically unlimited field for planters,
farmers and miners here. To the sugges-
tion that if the natives prove to be obstrep.
erous 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 attitude here
had caused him indescribable anxiety.
Accorulng TO recent Information received
here, the Filipino insurgents are endeavoring
to maintain brave show for the purpose OF
securing the best terms possible from the
Americans. 1t is the opinion of our Ad
miral that it would be advisable for the
United States to pay insurgent troops their
arrears of wages. The whole amount would
be a comparatively trif1ing sum, and the
payment of the troops would have valu
able effect and may save incalculable
trouble:
Admiral Dewey was strongly convinced
that the Filipino insurgents deserve ackowl
edgment He is believer in the practi
cablity of liberal measures in the direction
of local autonomy.
Regarding the possibility of international
complications Admiral Dewey said "Prior
to the arrival of the monitors felt uneasy,
but now 1 am ready to hold this position
against the whole earth.''