The San Francisco call., 1899-09-13
AN ISSUE OF FACT.

doing things in a small way 1t chooses to advocate
Imperialism and to submit reasons for our Phfppine
policy which have existence in fact and to argue
from them as its premise
Replying that able paper says that The Call SAID;
"The Filipnos had already conquered all OF Luzoh
outside of Manila when the Americans appeared.
This, even if true would be no answer to the Ore
gonian's Bandits, indeed, were largely IN
control of the country outside Manila but Agaln-
aldo that national independence was nope
less had sold out to the Spanards tor heavy sum
and left the country, and Spain was increasing her
preparations to crush the bandits when the Americans
appeared"
We must again admonish the Oregonian that mis-
representation of what The Call said is an impro-
prety that requires an apology and that general
Misrepresentation of the facts is wrong pohcy,
which it should not pursue We did not say that the
Fipinos had conquered Luzon outside OF Mania
when the Americans appeared. The facts, as we
stated them are historical, and we quoted one OF
Dewey's officers in their support.
The Filipino insurrecton against Spain was ter
minated by solemn treaty in which SPAN agreed 10
pay an indemnity to Aguinaldo OF 100000 and TO IN
stitute the reforms in administration which the ma
tves demanded. In his report to the State Depart
ment our Consul, Wildman, at HongkonS, says
There has been systematic attempt blacken the
the terms of their surrender the Spanish 1t has
been said that they sold their country for gold but
this is concusvey disproved, not only by their own
statements but by the speech of the late Governor
General Rivera in the Spanish Senate, June II, 1893
He said that Aguinado undertook to submit II the
Spanish Government would give certain sum TO the
widows and orphans OF the insurgents. Rivera then
admits that only part OF the sum was given 10
Aguinaldo, and that he (Rvera) did not find it ex-
pedent to keep the other promises made
Artacho. follower of Aguinaldo, desired to divide
this money between the native leaders, but 1t is IN
evidence that Agunaldo refused saying IT was trust
fund for his country and should be used to renew the
insurrection if Spain failed TO keep the treaty and
to institute the reforms which it promised She did
fail as Rivera admitted. The moment armed ress-
tance ceased she violated her solemn promise,
Wildmans report continues that he opened nego-
tiations with Aguinaldos Cabinet after consultation
with Admiral Dewey, and that Agunaldo in
Singapore. where Consul Pratt was negotiating with
Admiral Dewey for his return to Luzon. Wildman
sent him to Cavte on the McCulloch May 10, 1853.
Wildman then says: Immediately the arrival OF
Agunaldo at Cavite he issued a proclamation, which
had outlined for him before he lett forbdding pil
lage and making it a criminal offense to matreat
neutrals He OF course organized government OF
which he was dictator, absolutely necessary step
he hoped to maintain control over the natives, and
from that date until the present time he has been
uninterruptedy successful in the field and dgnihed
and just al the head of his government The insur-
gents are fighting from freedom from Spanish rule
and rely the we'll known OF justice that con
trolls all the actions OF our Government to their
future"
Following events in their chronological order,
next witness is that ardent imperiast ex-Minister
John Barrett appointed to Siam from Oregon. In
an address at Shanghai China, last January, Mr. Bar
rett said: Il saw Aguinaldo put aboard United
States dispatch boat in Hongkong harbor last May,
by permission OF Admiral Dewey and Consul General
Wi1dnan for the direct purpose of going to Cavte
to organize army and temporary government TO
make war the Spaniards in cooperation with the
American forces. He has organized an army out of
nothing which he has developed into force Of 10000
men, armed with modern rifles. He captured all
Spanish garrisons the island of Luzon outside of
Manila so that when the Americans ready to
proceed against the city they were not delayed and
troubled with country campaign. Moreover, he has
organized government which has practically been
administering the affairs OF that great island since
the American occupation of Manila, which
tainly better than the former (Spansh) administra
ton"
One of Dewey's officers, writing from 1oilo, says:
"Agunaldo reached Cavite May 20, 1885, at which
time there was no evidence, that knew Of OF
native organization. He created army in short
time and Immediately commenced to win victories
These to at the time astonishing, for he de-
feated detachment after detachment of the Spanish
army, took fort after fort, captured regiments with
arms and ammunition, and in few months had cap
tured every Spanish soldier in the island OF Luzon
or had driven those not captured into Manila. Time
and again | have witnessed whole battalions of Span
ish soldiers marched as prisoners into San Rogue.
Before August I3, I8o8 these insurgents had actually
captured the whole of Luzon, except Manila and
Cavite After taking all OF Luzon, with the excep-
tions named they conquered the Spanish in the ISL
ands of Negros and Cebu and before reached 1loo
they had this city and the whole island of Panay
which it is situated Besides these there hundreds
Of smaller islands which are under the authority of
Aguinaldos government at Maloos More remark
able to me than Agunados military actions has been
the civil organization which he has perfected through
out these islands, which governs and rules them