Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-06

SENAIOh etAl IN
the United States. He said they had in
structed all their connections to render
every aid to our forces in Manila.
July Is Mr.. Wildman wrote to the Secre-
tary of State. expressing his views on the
then reported policy of the United States
government to allow the Philippine Islands
to return to Spain. Among other things.
he said, after giving the particulars of his
long residence and intimate acquaintance
among the people of the Straits Settle
ments: II consider the forty or fifty Philip
pine leaders with whose fortunes | have
been very closely connected both the supe-
riors of the Malays and the Cubans. Aguin-
aldo, Agoncilo and Sandico are all men
who would be leaders in their separate de-
partments in any country. while among the
wealthy Manila men who live in Hong
Kong. and who are spending their money
literally for the overthrow of the Span
iards aud the annexation to the United
States men like the COrteZ family and the
Para family would hold their own among
bankers and lawyers anywhere. In spite of
statements to the contrary, l know they
ere fighting for annexation to the United
States first, and for independence secondly.
In fact / have had the most prominent
leaders all call on me and say they would
rot raise one finger unless | could assure
them that the United states Intended 20
give them United States citizenship if they
wished It, There has been systematic at
tempt 10 blacken the nametof Asuinaldo and
terms of their surrender 70 Spanish forces
a year ago this month. 1t has been said
that they sold their country for gold, but
this has been conciusively disproved, not
only by their own statements but by the
speech of the late Governor General Rivera
in the Spanish senate. | was in Hong
Kong September, 1897. when ASuinado and
his leaders arrived. under contract with the
Spanish government. They waited until
the LIST of November for the payment of the
money promised the widows and orphans of
the insurgents and the fulfiilmsnt of prom
ised reforms. Only $4,000, Mexican, was
ever placed TO their credit" -
Mr.. Wildman says that on the breaking
out of the " ar he received a delegation
from the insurgent junta ard they bound
themselves to obey all laws of civilized
warfare, and to place themselves absolutely
under the orders of Admiral Dewey if they
were permitted to return 10 Manila.
Insurgents With Dewey.
He says that on April 81, after another
conference, he agreed on behalf of Dewey
to allow two of the insurgent delegations
to accompany the feet to Manila, he going
with them. 1t was only later that he pre-
vailed on Admiral Dewey to allow Aguin-
aldo to go.
Referring to Aguinaldos organization of
a government, he says it was an absolutely
necessary step to maintain control over the
natives.
III conclusion, Mr.. Nlldman says: Il
wish to put myself on record stating
that the insurgent government of the Phil
ippine Islands cannot be dealt with as
though they were North American Indians,
willing to be removed from one reservation
to another at the within of their masters
If the United States decides not to retain
the Philippine Islands its 10000 600 people
will demand Independence, and the attempt
of any foreign nation to obtain territory or
coaling stations will be resisted with the
same spirit with which they fought the
Spaniards."
On August Assistant Secretary of State
Moore cabled Mr.. Wildman: IF you wrote |
Aguinaldo as repored by Hong Kong CORE
spondent of the Daily Mail your action is
disapproved and you are forbidden to make
pledges or discuss policy"
Never Made Pledges.
Replying on the 7th also by cable Mr..
Widman said: Never made pledges or
discussed policy of America with Aguinaldo |
further than to try and hold him to prom
Use made before Dewey took him to Cavite, |
believing it my duty, it being understood
that my influence is good. If report con-
trary l disavow."
Explaining this dispatch by letter Mr..
Widman said he had not undertaken to
correct the representations of the press
concerning himself, and referring to his |
own and Consul Williams attitude toward |
the insurgents he said: I'VE believed they |
were necessary evil and that if Aguinaldo |
was placed in command and was accept |
able to the insurgents as their leader Adj |
miral Dewey or Gen. Merritt would have |
some one whom they could hold responsible |
for any excess. We made him pledges |
and exacted from him but two, viz, to |
obey unquestionably the commander of the |
United States forces in the Philippine |
Islands and to conduct mis- warfare on |
civilized lines He was in and out of the |
consulate for nearly month, and l be- |
I fplrn l.;
have acquired some influence with him. |
Agunaldo has written me by every oppor- |
tunity, and believe he has been frank with |
me both regarding his actions and his |
motives. I do not doubt that he would |
like to be president of the philippine re- ,
public, and there may be small coterie of |
his native advisers who entertain like am |
bition, but I am perfectly certain that the !
great majority of his followers and all the |
wealthy and educated Filipinos have but |
the one desire-to become citizens of the |
United States. AS for the mass of the I'M |
educated natives they would be content |
under any rule save that of the friars.
AEuinaIdo's Character.
Returning to Aguinaldo, MI. Widman |
says the latters letters were largely per-
sonal in their nature.
His letters" the consul says, "are child |
ish, and he is far more~fnterested in the |
kind of cane he will carry or the breast |
plate he will wear than in the figure he will |
make in history. The demand that he and |
his junta have made upon my time is ex- |
cesslve and most tiresome. He is man |
of petty moods, and l have repeatedly had |
letters from Consul Williams requesting |
me to write to Aguinaldo friendly letter |
congratulating him upon his success and |
reminding him of his obligations. 1 do not |
care to quote Admiral Dewey, as his letters |
are all of a strictly personal nature, but l |
feel perfectly free to refer you to him as to !
my attitude and actions"
Mr.. Wildman acknowledged that he wrote |