The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-17
HOPEFUL.
Trouble
Expected.
so THINKS DEWEY.
The Admiral Declines to
Discuss Political Situation,

Manila, Dec. 16.-+Rear Admiral
Dewey, when a correspondent called
upon him today, pleasantly but abso-
lutely declined to discuss the political
situation in the Philippine islands, on
the ground that his sphere was purely
naval.
The admiral seldom goes ashore, and
insisted that his interviewer was in a
better position to acquire information
than himself. He then proceeded to
examine the correspondent about
everything ashore. He was glad to
learn the insurgents We're releasing the
sick Spanish soldiers they held prison
ers, notwithstanding Aguinaldo S
grandiloquent refusal to do so. This
proves that the insurgents are very
.conciliatory, in spite of their defiant
talk.
Admiral Dewey has always believed
that the insurgents were friendly, es-
pecially since the warships of our feet
have visited the different ports of these
islands, and since some of our officers
have made tours inland, carefully in
vestigating popular sentiment and jul
diciously preaching the gospel Of peace
full settlement everywhere with highly
satisfactory results. A few influential
Filipinos ibl an ambitious attempt at
self advancement. are clamoring for
independence, though unable to realize
its true meaning. They are utterly ig-
norant Of the difference between the
name and the realty.
The agitators here invariably admit
ted that they would be unable to stand
-seI, -
spite of this they continue their mean
ingless cutlery for independence, and
may possibly create trouble. The ad-
miral, however, believes this to be i'm
probable at the present juncture, al
though every trifling incident counts.
However, every day that passes with
out a conflict means so much gain, be-
cause the friendly feeling is steadily
increasing, the incipient roughness is
disappearing, and the agitators are
weakening. The newspapers of Manila
are doing particularly valuable work
in the simultaneous publication of con-
ciliatory 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
mere anu engage IN pioneering enter
prises. He believes there is a practi-
cally unlimited field for planters, farm
ers and miners here. and it is suggested
that if the natives prove to be obstrep-
erous, perhaps it would be a useful ex-
pedient to threaten to hand them over
to the Germans or to other ungentle
land grabbers. 1t is believed the Ger
mans now have entirely abandoned
their designs in the Philippine islands.
though formerly the German attitude
here caused Admiral Dewey indescrib-
able anxiety.
According to recent information re-
ceived here, the Filipino insurgents are
endeavoring to maintain a brave show
for 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 a comparatively Irffling
sum, and the payment of the troops
would have a valuable effect and might
| save incalculable trouble.
! Finally, Admiral Dewey was strongly
| convinced that the Filipino insurgents
| deserve acknowledgment. He is a be-
| lever in the practicability of liberal
measures in the direction of local au-
tCnomy.
Regarding the possibility of interna-
tional complications. Admiral Dewey
said:
Prior to the arrival Of the monitors.
| ( felt uneasy. But now l am reauy Il,
hold this position against the whole
| earth A"