Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-11

that quarter, will do so in the exercise OF
the rights which the state of war confers,
and will expect from the inhabitants,
without regard to their former attitude to-
ward the Spanish Government, that obed-
fence which will be lawfully due from
them"
To the above Consul General Pratt re-
piled that II declined even to discuss with
Gen. Aguinaldo the question of the future
policy of the United States with regard to
the Philippines held out no hopes to him
OF any kind committed the government in
no way whatever, and in the course OF
our condolences, never acted upon the as
sumption that the government would co.
operate with him-Gen. Aguinaido--for
the furtheraNce of any plan of his own,
nor that, in accepting his said co-opera-
ton, it would consider itself pledged to
recognize any political claims which he
might put forward"
This confidential dispatch was entirely
satisfactory regarded the original nego-
tiations between Mr.. Pratt and Aguinaldo
But through the news dispatches there
came to Washington report of the ad-
dress OF congratulations delivered by Mr..
Bray's delegation. This prompted Score
| tary Day to write again to Consul General
Pratt, saying it has occasioned feeling
| of disquietude and a doubt as to whether
some of your acts may not have borne a
significance and produced an impression
which this government would be compel
led to regret. The address presented to
YOU by the twenty-five or thirty Filipinos
who gathered about the consulate disclos-
es an underst andng on their part that the
object of Admiral Dewey was to support
the cause of Gen. Aguinaldo. and that the
ultimate aim of our action is to secure
the independence OF the Philippines under
the protection of the United States"
Mr. Pratt reiterated his denial that he
whatever
ignition of independence. He took occa-
sion to express his surprise and annoyance
that matters which he had attempted ia
keep secret had in some way been made
public and given false Interpretation in the
newspapers of Singapore.
1t was not until late in the summer that
the Department of State at Washington
fully realized the leading role that Agui-
naldo's Engiishman was playing at Singa
pore. The intrigue went on. Mr. Brays
agency in the persistent demands for I'm
Pine independence became known. That
agency extended far beyond the news
paper dispatches sent out from Singapore
and Hong Kong. 1t was credited with the
authorship of proclamations purporting tc
be from Agunaldo growing in Emporium
} ity for recognition OF Filipino indepen
dence.
} This Englishman continued the adviser
) OF Aguinaldo and his iunta. lie promoted
the policy of independence until it was
} firmly implanted in the Tagal mind. Ill
impressed the Tagal leaders with the con
: fidence that they could dictate to th'
7 American Government. He coached tn
. Filipino movement to its position of opei
antagonism toward American authority
German Admiral caused irritation b!
facts OF supposed unfriendliness, Vol
{ Diedrichs' doings were child's play com
= pared with the able bodied intriguing o
: this British subject to thwart the purpos
! es of the United States.