The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1899-09-29

New York, Sept. s7.-In his first in
terview on American shores since the
memorable battle of Manila bay, Ad-
miral Dewey talked Of the Philippine
situation. He emphatically expressed
his absolute confidence in the ability Of
the United States to settle the ques-
ton and as emphatically declined, even
with a show Of irritation, TO talk about
the attitude Of Admiral Deidrichs at
Manila. He punctured the talk Of his
accepting the nomination for the pres
idency and denied that the FiGpinOs
were now capable Of running their
own government. He spoke in a san
guine way OF his health. AguinaldO
he stamped as a figurehead. In an
answer TO a question regarding the sit
uatiOn IN the Philippines, Admiral
Dewey wheeled half way round on his
heel and said brislzIy:
There are good many questions on which
may be expected 70 talk, but viii have to de-
fer 70 great extent my opinions until have
reported % Washington shall 90 there on
Tuesday, and cannot say how long ny stay at
the capital viii be So long as the government
sees 1t 70 keep me the I shall stay. As 70 the
Philippines, I am no talzer; never was Ihave
often wished that 1 could talk, but never
made q speech. and I'm too Old 70 learn those
tricks. You know as much about the Phil
ippines as do Any intelligent American Citi-
zen who has followed with the right interest
what has happened there since We whipped the
Spanish feet knows as much Of that problem as
or any man aboard ship.
Ever since left the islands have read eT-
erything bearing upon the islands and what has
transpired there since we Left that could OBJ
tain At the time I left L said that the insur-
gents were on their last legs It's got 70 come
They can't stop IL. They cant hold out against
the army and navy I believed then that they
would be una. le 70 secure arms and ammuni-
tiOn. without which they could not wage war,
but 1 have learned through the newspapers
since that they have received the necessary
supplies That must be stopped and the insur-
gents VIII then be II little strength They are
good so .Clers, splendid ones, and their powers
OF endurance are remarkable
The criticism aimed at Gen. Otis
from certain quarters was mentioned,
and Dewey said, with quickening in
terest:
The last thing that L told Otis when left Ma
Mia was this: You're trying to do too much -
He's down there wearing himself out, and more
than once have told him that II he did not give
up some Of his work or come home he'd die
there in "a year, and believe It, too Gen. Otis
IS unusually pains. aking man. and he's not
only COVE nor general and directing the move
ments Of the army in the fed, but he's working
with might and sCul-at every thing that comes
under his notice in the way Of putting down the
rebellion and bringing order out Of chaos in the
islands.
Gen Otis has some exceptionally able lieu
tenants and he should utilize them With the
new troops being hurried 70 him and our com
paratiTe familiarity OF what we have % over
come, think the outlook is a cheering one.
Asked if the FihpinOs are yet capa-
bic Of self-goTernment the admiral
said:
No, they are not, but in time they viii be- I
will say this much, though, for the FilipinOs.
They are more capable Of governing themselves
than the Cubans are. Some Of them. I doubt
not are now capable Of administering affairs,
but tn great majority Of them have the cTudest
ideas Of an honest and efficient government
Their greatest fault IS this: They don't know
the meaning Of the word honesty OF course.
like ali lIalays who have had educational ad-
vantages, they are wonderfully capable Of imi-
tatiTe construction ind are admirable artisans
when trained
AguinaldO is nothing but a fgurehead- He IS
only OF average intelligence and ability. The
brains are back OF him. In Manila he is held at
his true worth. and there they know who is re-
sponsible for what successes, II any, that have
attended the efforts OF the FiipinOs 70 rebel
against our government. Aguinaldo was only a
clerk IN the navy yard at Manila before he took
the field against the Spanish The men who
actually have the most influence among the
Filipinos are numb Of lawyers, unquestiOn-
ably able men I have very fine cane made Of
native wood and trimmed with gold that was
presented TO ne by AguinaldO before the insur-
gents became our enemies 50 FAR as that goes,
We are friends yet