The record-union., 1899-10-08
DEWEY SPEAKS AT LAST.

Now that the receptions and glorifi-
cations are over in most part, Admiral
Dewey has spoken and his words are
incapable of misinterpretation. He has
been reported as saying that he favored
recognition of the alleged Filipino Gov
ernment; that he believed the Filipinos
fitted for self-government, at least
more so than the Cubans; that he
pledged to Aguinaldo that when the
Spanish were overcome Filipino inde
pendence should be recognized, and so
on through an endless chain Of misrep
resentation.
We now have the truth. First the
Admiral says he did say that he con-
sidered the Filipinos better fitted for
self-g government than the Cubans. But
he says what he meant was, better
fitted to conduct Government some
thing after the order that the Federal
Government accords to our Territories.
that we should surrender control, va
cate the premises and leave the Phil
ippines and the Filipinos to fate.
AS Aguinaldo and Alejandrino have
both said that Dewey is their friend
and promised them recognition of the
independence of the alleged Filipino
Government, the Admiral requests that
Aguinaldo be specially informed and
officially, that the order largely aug
menting the naval force in the Phil
ippines was made at his earnest re-
quest and by his advice, and that such
augmentation Of the naval force was so
made by his request that the insurrec-
ton may be the sooner and more eff
fectively crushed and the authority of
the United States be permanently es-
tablished in the archipelago.
All which ought to and will settle the
dispute as to the position of Dewey and
his promises to Aguinaldo. Neverthe-
! less we shall expect to hear the anti
expansionists revamp the old lie about
Dewey having promised independence
/ to the insurgents. The truth appears
/
| TO be that Dewey is in exact accord
with the Administration in the matter
of Philippine policy. That policy is,
| as has been repeatedly stated, first to
| conquer a peace and establish the au-
| thority of the United States Then in
| due time give to the people of the ISL
ands the fullest possible measure of
| liberty which they are capable of en-
/ joying consistently with orderly, pro-
gressive and enlightened government
| Thirdly, to establish self government
| among the people of the islands just
| as soon. and to the extent that the
people are capable of exercising it.
! But this does not mean that we are
to abandon the islands, turn over the
whole outfit to the F'ilipinos, and as
Mr. Bryan advocates pull up stakes
and get out of the section. Indeed.
Mr.. Bryan, at Canton, Ills, on Friday
stated in his speech from the platform
where he met President Mckinley, that
the thing which should have been done
/ by Dewey, as soon as he had de-
stroyed the Spanish feet, was to have
weighed anchor and sailed for home
with all his fleet trailing behind him.
| We are glad Mr.. Bryan has made this
frank statement. 1t sounds the depths
of his position precisely. We know
now if there was any doubt before, just
where this prophet of i'll stands. It
remains to be seen, however, whether
the National Democracy will range it
self under his banner. which is en-
blazoned with the demand that we re-
OF the war with Spain.