The times., 1899-12-04
TAeALs HAD NO PROMISE.
Former Consul General Pratt Makes
Statement

a. SAAAENhGhN-
NEW YORK, Dec. S.-Edward Spencer
Pratt. former Consul General for the
United States at Singapore, in an inter-
view, denies absolutely that he requested
or besought Aguinaldos cooperation in
the Spanish American war.
Mr. Pratt has come to New York after
having made a report to President McKin-
ley on the Philippine situation In speak
ing OF the Philippine question he said
that the conflict between the Americans
and the Filiplnos could have been avoided
by the display of a little diplomacy and
tact.
He says it is significant fact that there
was no trouble between the Americans and
Fflipinos while our Navy alone was in
the Philippines
Statements from Mr. Pratt as to ex-
actly what his understanding with Aguin-
aldo was when he first conferred with the
insurgent leader in Singapore have been
persistently sought. Mr. Pratt has Just as
persistently declined to give any public
information until he had reported to Presi-
dent Mckinley.
1t had been stated that Mr. Pratt. while
Consul General, had repeatedly requested
and besought Aguinaldo's cooperation our
ing the Spanish war and that he had dealt
with the insurgent leader in stated terms
wi AeAAI oCsNtu d. NOAStA NrthtEdi dS
Singapore for five years and half. He
was Consul General in Persia for five years
Asked IL he had requested AguinaIdo's
lid in stated terms Mr. Pratt said.
That is a mistake. The facts are these:
l was informed while Consul General in
Singapore. on April "a. 1898. of Aguinaldo's 3
presence in Singapore, and sought his ae-
quaintance. to gain information as to ex-
isting conditions in the Philippines.
taur 4-Tra fyfsz
Aguinaldo was in touch with the disaf-
fected elements in the Philippines, and that
he was ready TO organize them against the
Spaniards. / thought it advisable, to avoid
complications which l felt might arise
from independent action in this direction
on his part, to suggest to Aguinaldo the
advisabiIity OF first conferring with Admi-
raj then CommodoreJ Dewey. commander
of our naval forces at Hongkong
Il asked if he (Aguinaldo) would be
willing to go to Hongkong for this purpose,
should Commodore Dewey so desire.
Aguinaldo having agreed to this. at once
telegraphed to Commodore Dewey in cipher
as follows:
" 'Aguinaldo, insurgent leader, here.
VIII come to Hongkong. Arrange with
Commodore for general cooperation insur-
gents. Manila, IL desired. Telegraph
Il received the same night from Com
ing:
g" Tell Aguinaldo come soon as possible
This / communicated to Aguinaldo at
once, asking that he should see me In re-
gard to it. on the following morning. This
ne did. When | asked him il he was still
OF the same mind and was still prepared
70 go to HOugkong and confer with Dewey,
he said he desired to start by the first
available ship, with his seereary and aide
6p-pqTpgt Roth lIn. and panztdpf-
ing it important that he should proceed
directly from the ship on which he arrived
at Hongsong to Commodore Dewey's flag
hip, I telegraphed our Consul to arrange
to have an American Government launch
take him from the one vessel TO the ether.
Unfortunately. however Commodore
Dewey left before Aguinaldo arrived.
Aguinaidos departure to join Commodore
Dewey at Cayite was delayed. for what
reason l do not know. Eventually how
ever. he was taken on to Cavite by an
American gunbeat
Il did not make any promises of inde-
pendence to Aguinaldo during my two in
teryiews."
Are you prepared to state that no
promises of independence were made to
Aguinaldo by others ON behalf Of the
United States?' was asked.
Il can only speak for myself I cannot
speak for others" replied Mr.. Pratt.
WAS there any discussion as to the
policy likely to be pursued by the United
States in the Philippines"
'Agunaldo questioned me on the sub
feet. but l told him had not heen in
formed az to the policy of the United
States. and even IL l had been, he could
readily understand that I was not at
liberty to impart this information to
others -