The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-17
FIGHTER, NOT POLITICIAN.
ADMIRAL DEWEY REFUSES TO
TALK ON POLITICAL ASPECT.
The Hero OF Manila Believes the
Insurgents Are Friendly. Not
withdrawing Such Bombasts as

MANILA. Dec. Is-Rear Admiral Dewey.
when the correspondent OF the Associated
Press called on him today, was courteous
and pleasant. bus absolutely declined 10 DIS
cliss the political situation in the Philip
pines on the ground that his sphere WAS
purely naval. He then proceeded 20 cross-
examine the correspondent about everything
ashore. He was glad 10 learn that the in
surgsnts were releasing the sick Spanish
soldiers they held as prisoners. notwi.h-
standing Aguinaido's graniiloquent refusal
TO do 50. This proves that the insurgents
are very concaliatory, in spite Of their de-
faint talk. Admiral Dewey always be-
heTed that the insurgents were friendly,
especially since the warshIps Of our feet
have VISITED the different ports of the ISL
ands, and since some of our officers have
made tours inland, carefully investigating
popular sentiment and jufciousiy preach
ing the gospel of a peaceful settlement ey-
erywhere, with highly satisfactory results.
A few influential Fiiipinos. in ambition for
self-advancements are clamoring for indie
pendence. though unable TO realize its true
meaning.
They are utterly ignorant Of the differ
cree between the name and reality. Agi-
tators here invariably admit they would
be unable to stand without American pro-
tection, but IN spite OF this, they continue
their meaningless outcry for independence
and may possibly create trouble. Admiral
Dewey, however, believes this to be i'm
probable at the present juncture, though
every triffing incident counts. However.
every day that passes without a conflict
means SO much gained. because friendly
feeling Is steadily increasing, the incipient
roughness disappearing and agitators are
weakening The newspapers OF Manila are
doing particularly valuable work In stimuli
taneous publications of conciliatory ar
n
This course is looked upon as being certain
to eliminate tho 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 unlimited field for plant
ers. farmers and miners here. as to the sug-
gestion that IL the natives prove 10 be OBJ
streperous perhaps they might be handed
over TO Germany or other ungentle land
grabbers, the admiral said he believed
the Germans now have entirely abandoned
their designs in the Philippine islands,
though formerly, he said, the German at
titude here had caused him indescr.bable
anxiety. According TO recent information
received here, F1lipinos insurgents are en-
deayoring to maintain brave show for
the purpose OF securing the best terms
possible from the Americans. Il is the
opinion of our admiral that II would be adj
vsabe for the United States to pay the
insurgent troops their arrears of wages.
The whole amount would be a compare
lively trifiing sum. and the payment Of the
troops would have a valuable effect. and
may save incalculable trouble. Admiral
Dewey was strongly convinced that the
Filipino insurgents deserve acknowledge
ment. He is believer in the practicable
ity 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 I'M
easy, but now j am ready TO hold this po-
sitinn against the whole earth"