The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-11-07
DISSECT THE
CAMPAIGN REPORT.
The Anti-Imperialists Quote
From Records
70 PROVE THAT OFFICERS
OF the A Administration Secured an Alliance
with General Aguinaldo-He virtu-
ally Captured Manila and
Kept order.

The Anti-Imperialist League, of
Washington, desires to throw some light
on the United States commissioners, re-
port, on the Philippine war by setting
forth some facts to enable the public
to judge whether that report presents
the truth of history. These facts will
be taken from official documents, mostly
from the report of the Paris Peace COM
mission. [Senate Document No. g.,
Fifty-fifth Congress, third session.
The four members of the Philippine
commission who make this belated
statement acknowledge that Dewey in
vited Aguinaldo to come across the sea
to Manila; asked him for his help; arm
ed him and equipped him and his army,
and set them upon the Spaniards and
then they declare: There were no
conferences between the officers of the
Filipinos and our officers with view to
operating against the Spaniards, nor
was there cooperation of any kind.
There were never any preconcerted
operations"
CONSUL PRATT QUOTED.
Yet Spencer Pratt, United States con-
sui general, said April 80, 1898: II had
materially assisted the cause OF the
securing Aguinaldo's cooperation. Why
this cooperation should not have been
secured to US before 1 cannot under
stand. " General Thomas M. Ander-
son, commanding in Manila, addressed
"Senor Don Emilio Aguinaldo, COM
manding Philippine forces" on July 4,
1898, snd said to him:
Gen eral: The Unite States of
America, whose land forces 1 have the
honor to command in this vicinity, has
entire sympathy and most friendly
sentiments for the native people of the
Philippine islands. For these reasons L
desire to have the most amicable re-
lations with you, and to have you and
your people cooperate with us in mill
tary operations against the Spanish
forces" Two days later he wrote to
Aguinaldo:
General I would like to have Your
Excellency's advice and cooperation as
you are best acquainted with the re-
sources of this country"
The same month he wrote again:
1--WE are here to be-friend the Filipinos."
We hope that this proves that there
was no cooperation, and that the four
gentlemen uniting in the Philippine
commission report are mistaken.
ACCEPTED AGUINALDO'S AID.
These gentlemen further say: mo al
lance of any kind was entered into
with Aguinaldo." What Is an alliance?
Dewey invited Aguinaldo to join him,
gave him rifles and ammunition set him
on shore, encouraged him to organize
his government and accepted his aid for
months preceding the final capture of
Manila. Aguinaldo issued proclama-
ton to the natives saying:
"Die rather than to be ungrateful to
our American liberators! Where you
see the American flag flying assemble
in numbers! They are our redeemers!"
Our Luzon General, Whittier, testified
before the Paris commission that dur
ing the investment of Manila "all the
success was on the natives side, and
the Spaniards surrendered to them be-
tween 1000 and 5000 armed men, plenty
Of ammunition, and in good physical
condition" What is an alliance? Our
General Greene, commanding at Manila,
testified before the commission Be
tween 1000 and 5000 troops surrender
ed to Aguinaldo's army in June and
July. 1t constantly annoyed and
harrassed the Spaniards in the trenches,
keeping them up at night and wearing
them out with fatigue. 1t invested
Manila so completely in June that all
the supplies were cut off and the in
habitants as well as the Spanish troops,
were obliged to live on horse flesh and
buffalo meat and the Chinese on cats
and dogs. 1t captured the water works
and cut off the water supply" What is
an alliance If the cooperation Of two
armies fighting side by side for the
same object does not constitute one?
Why, Dewey himself wrote home,
"Aguinaldo did not take the city at this
time. as I have advised" If this does
not indicate an alliance what does 1t
indicate?
NO EVIDENCE PRESENTED.
In this report of the commissioners we
are told that reference is made to
Aguinaldo's demand that he be allowed
to loot Manila and take the arms of
the Spaniards." Unless they bring home
some evidence which has not been seen
before there is not a particle Of testi-
mony to prove this statement. For dur
ing this entire time Aguinaldo was is
suing proclamations attesting his
love and admiration for the Americans,
his confidence in their intentions and
the gratitude of his people for their
Intervention. One Of those manifestos
says: "Compatriots, Divine Providence
is about to place independence with
in our reach. The Americans, not from
mercenary motives, but for the sake of
humanity and the lamentations of so
many prosecuted people, have consider
ed 1t opportune to extend their protecting
mantle to our beloved country. Rather
blow your brains out that fire a shot
or treat as enemies those who are your
liberators!"
Moreover, our General Whittier, testi-
fed before the Paris commission: with