The Jersey City news., 1898-12-16
ADMIRAL DEWEYS VIEWS
Thinks the Situation in the
Philippines Greatly
Improving.
ADVISES PAYING CUBAN TROOPS
Insurgents are Releasing Sick
Spanish Prisoners
Manila Press
Good Work.
IBy cable to The Associated Press

TBy Gable to The Associated Press.1
MANILA, Philippine Islands, Dec. 16,
1895 Rear Admiral Dewey, when a sorre-
spondent OF the Associated Press called
upon him today. courteously, pleasantly.
but absolutely declined to discuss the
political situation in the Philippine
Islands, on the ground that his sphere was
purely naval.
The gallant Admiral seldom goes ashore
and insisted that his interviewer was in
better position to acquire information
than himself. 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, not
withstanding Aguinaldo's grandiloquent
refusal to do So This proves that the m
surgents are. very coneiliatory in spite of
their defiant talk.
Admiral Dewey always believed that
the insurgents were friendly, especially
since the warships of our feet have visit
ed the different ports of these islands,
ana since some of our officers have made
tours inland carefully investigating pop-
ular sentiment and judiciously preaching
the gospel of peaceful settlement every
where with highly satisfactory results
few influential Filipinos, in an ambi-
tious attempt at self-adyancement, are
clamoring for independence, though un-
able to realize its true meaning. They
are utterly ignorant of the difference be-
tween the name and the reality.
The agitators here Invariably admit that
they would be unable to stand without
American protection. But, in spite sof
this, they continue their meaningless out
cry for independence and may possibly
create trouble. The Admiral however,
believes this to be improbable at the
present juncture, though every trifling
incident counts However, every day that
passes without a conflict means so much
gain. because the friendly feeling is
steadily increasing, the incipient rough
ness is disappearing and the agitators are
weakening.
The newspapers Of Manila are doing
particularly valuable work in the stimuli
taneous publication of conciliatory articles
printed in Spanish and 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 Volun-
teers to obtain their discharges here and
engage in pioneering enterprises. He be-
leves there IS a practically unlimited
field for planters farmers and miners
here and it Is suggested that if the nat
ives prove to be obstreporous perhaps 1t
would be a useful expedient to threaten
to hand them over to the Germans or
to other ungentle land grabbers. 1t is be-
lieved the Germans now have entirely
abandoned their designs in the Philip
pine Islands, though formerly the German
attitude here caused Admiral Dewey in-
describabIe anxiety.
According to recent Information receiv-
ed here, the Filipino insurgents are en-
deavoring to maintain a brave show Tor
the purpose of securing the best terms
possible from the Americans. It 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 only
be comparatively trifing sum and the
payment of the troops would have a val
liable effect and may save incalculable
trouble.
Finally, Admiral Dewey was strongly
convinced that the Filipino insurgents de-
serve acknowledgment He is a believer
in the practicability of liberal measures N
the directors of local autonomy. regard
ING the possibility cf international COM
plications Admiral Dewey said
ssPrior to the arrival of the monitors |
falf uneasy But now I am ready TO hold
This position against the whole eartn.