The record-union., 1899-02-19
THE TRUTH ABOUT AGUINALDO
AND HIS CLAIMS.

The official volume containing all the
correspondence, proclamations, testi-
mony taken, and all other record mat
between the United States and Spain,
the negotiation of the treaty, the occu-
patton of Manila, ETC., is now at hand.
An examination of this ponderous
book is a work of many days, but SO
far as one question-and a most i'm
portant one upon which the public
mind should be informed-is concerned,
it is an easy task to ascertain all about
the going of Aguinaldo from Hongkong
to Manila, and the assistance rendered
by him to Admiral Dewey, and just
what were the arrangements between
the Admiral, the insurgent and our
Consul General at the straits, Mr..
Pratt PISS
from the official reports, correspond
ence and kilograms, but they are con-
densed admirably in an official let
ter from Secretary Day to Consul
General Pratt. 1t thus appears part
l., page. 354) that when the American
Government resolved to assail Spanish
sovereignty in the Philippines and de-
stroy the Spanish fleet in those waters,
that it might be harmless to the Pa
cific Coast, it directed Dewey to seek
out and attack the fleet and occupy
the Philippines. He destroyed the fleet
May 1st, and occupied the bay of Ma
Mia and the Notifications at Cavite.
Before leaving Mers Bay for Manila,
Dewey, through the aid Of Consul Cen
eral Pratt of Singapore, had a meet
ing with Aguinaldo, who came from
Singapore to Hongkong for the pur-
pose, after consultation with Mr..
Pratt. Aguinaldo agreed and did give
Dewey valuable Information, and large
, ly enabled him to make his successful
entry into Manila Bay. But it was
not until the 10Th of May, two weeks
after the battle, that Dewey consented
that Aguinaldo might come on to Ca
wife.
In the meantime, it seems that our
Consul at Hongkong was endeavoring
to impress Aguinaldo and Agoncillo
with. the great advantage it would be
to the Philippine people to be under
the guardianship of the United States
in preference to their plan of estab-
fishing an Independent Government.
All the Consuls reported fully to the
State Department, and the correspond
enee is very explicit. Nowhere in it
is to- be found anything bordering upon
or suggesting the thought that the
United States would, after taking pos
session, turn affairs over to Aguinaldo
All through it seems that the latter
sought to get from the American off
cials pledges to recognize him as an
independent or dictator, and that when
We had thoroughly whipped the Span
ish we would leave the country and
turn the Filipinos loose to do their
pleasure.
1t seems that Aguinaldo was brough,
to Consul General Pratt at Singapore
by British subject, Mr.. Bray, who
had been forced from the Philippines
by Spanish misrule Pratt telegraphed
to Dewey at Hongkong that Aguinalde
was in Singapore, and would come on
and Dewey replied to have him CONS
at once. He accordingly left as stated
But before leaving, he asked Mr. Pratt
to bind the United States to recognize
the independence of the Filipinos The
Consul General refused to do So say.
ing that what was wanted was hi:
(Aguinaldo's) cooperation, but that h,
the Consult had no authority to bint
the United States; that If Aguinaldt
went to meet Dewey it must be under
stood that he submitted wholly to hi;
control and authority
In the letter of Secretary Day to Mr.
Pratt, the Secretary recalls this his
tory, and informs the Consul that h,
had no authority to- commit the Unite,
States to any alliance with the Fill
pinos. and assumes that he did no
attempt or countenance it. The Sec
rotary adds:
To obtain the unconditional per
eonal assistance Of General Aguinald'