Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-27
AN INTERVIEW WITH DEWEY.

of the dinner the President will give to the
admiral next Tuesday night.
AN INTERVIEW WITH DEWEY.
| The Admiral Talks Freely of the
Philippine Situation
In an interview with a New York Herald
reporter on the Olympia, soon after his ar
| rival yesterday, Admiral Dewey said:
I'VE have had delightful trp-a mag
nficent one. The trip home has been a
glorious one. I am glad to return, and so
| are all the officers and the men. too. They
are a splendid lot of fellows. the pick of our
navy: that means the best in the world. 1t
| was just like getting home to be received as
was in Hong Kong and all the other
places we stopped at Before I got to Ma
Mia the archbishop, with whom 1 after
ward became very intimate, had made the
remark that the American sailors were the
scum OF the earth.
When I got to Manila the archbishop
came on board one day while l was having
battalion drill the same boys who will
parade through the streets of New York
The archbishop was on The bridge. He was
looking at them intently when I turned to
him and asked. What do you think o. our
American SailorS?
He praised the men very highly. He
said he had seen the men of most navies
but nothing to equal ours. lie wondered
how we got such material. and l told him
| said We only took the hest men, and We
got closer to them and treated them better
than other countries. I proved the truth
of what / said by calling one Of the men
The man l had called was drawing $50 a
| month. The archbishop was surprised and
| told him that would pay whole regi-
ment of Spaniards.
How Luna Was disseminated.
Here is a picture of a Philippine general
who was murdered by order of Aguinaldo."
the admiral said handing a photograph to
me, on the back of which was written in
Spanish ITO the Archbishop of Manila FIR
Bernardino, Nesalado." The inscription had
been written by Luna.
Luna was the best man the Tilipnos
had" the. admiral continued. 1T was a
plot to assassinate him. A swor lsnan was
placed as a sentry and when Luna APP
peared the sentry simply stabbed him.
'Aguinaldo was Junior clerk in the navy
yard. He is smart fellow, and | under
stand him pretty well. But he has not the
brains to he a leader. There are some
able men behind him-lawyers and other
professional men-and Aguinaldo is their
tool or fgurehead
II really believed that this trouble in the
Philippines would have been over long be-
fore this 1t should have been. I suppose
that during the rainy season little was
done. In my opinion General Otis has
tried to do too much I told him so. He
is taking too many irons. No man can do
W
eral, governor and judge. No man can.
There Is the great trouble. The result is
very obvious when a man attempts to do
too many things at the time.
Cause of Filipino Distrust.
The Filpinos had been so badly treated
by the Spaniards that they are naturally
distrustful. There Is a difficulty that must
be surmounted. There Is no trouble when
we have come in contact with them and
say. We have given those we have come
in contact with confidence in our word
In time they will all understand that
we mean what we say; in time they will
learn Aguinaldo's infiuence-not Aguinal-
dos but the influence of the men who
stand behind him."
do you believe, admiral, that the Fill
plnos can govern themselves?"
AT the present time do not believe that
they can. but after awhile, / believe they
will become able to do So At the same
time, | believe that they are better fitted
for self-goVernment than the Cubans In
my opinion they are better people in every
way.
so far the trouble in the Philippines
is concerned, of course, that will come to
an end. and wish that the whole business
was settled now
Admiral Dewey then questioned as
to his feeling about becoming a presidential
candidate. He looked "a the inquisitor and
Smilingly replied:
Suggestion as to Presidency.
1t was suggested to him that he had been
mentioned as democratic candidate and
that General Joseph Wheeler should run
for Vice President on the ticket with him.
I'VE would make pretty mess of it,"
laughed Admiral Dewey. General Vince
Ter has had some experience in politics
and had forgotten 1t. He is a West Point
graduate. too. He would run the govern
ment regiment. You can't do that"
Admiral Dewey protested further against
his nominatio for office. saying he was not
a politician. that all his training had been
that of a sailor, and that he could not even
make a speech He said he would have TO
be satisfied with his lot.
Your son has been quoted as saying you
are a dyed-in-the wool republican," the adj
nliral was told.
Admiral Dewey laughed. HE knows
about as much about my politics as that
stick" he said, pointing to piece of wood
on the deck.
Will Not Discuss Germany.
When questioned about his relations with
the German admiral, Admiral Dewey re-
fused to drcuss that matter at all.
Admiral Dewey expressed great pleasure
that arrangements had been made with the
customs authorities to permit his Chinese
servants to land and participate in the pa
rade. Hes called one of his servants All
Ling to Him, as he talked. The Chinaman
saluted gfavely1and the admiral told him
what hadbbeen done.
Are you glad of it?' asked the admiral.
"Velly much,95 was the reply.
Then you and l will have to talk 1t
over" said the admiral.
All Ling, saluted and retired.