The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1900-07-27
NO. 10.
PROMISE OF DEWEY.
Filipino General Says 1t Was for Inde.
pendence.

pendence.
Sioux Falls, s. D., July 25.-A let
ter has been received by Senator K. F.
Pettigrew from one of the leading com.
manders of the Filipino army, giving
additional light on the claims of the
Filipino people as to the understanding
that was arrived at between them and
the Americans before the opening of
hostilities in the Philippines. The let
ter says, in part.
"Sinukwan Encampment. Philippine
Islands, April IL, 1900. Hons. r.. +.
Pettigrew and G.. f. Hoar, Sena tors,
Washington Gentlemen: | have read
IN some American papers that Admiral
Dewey. compelled by you and other
senators, lovers of truth and justice, to
answer whether he made to us formal
promises of independence, stated that
he had never promised independence
to the Filipinos.' !, who, in the name
OF the Filipino people, and OF General
Agulnaldo, and as representative of
both, have had the honor to confer sew
eral times with the admiral, make to
you the following statements, that YOU
may use them as you think convenient:
In April, 1898, wheE the rupture of
hostilitles between America and Spain
became imminent, and in the absence
OF my chief, General Aguinaldo, who
was then at Singapore. | solicited,
through the American consul at Hong
Kong, Mr.. Wildman, to have some in.
terviews with Admiral Dewey, with
the object of continuing the interrupted
negotiations between General Aguinaldo
and Admiral Dewey, through Mr..
Wood, the commander OF the American
gunhoat Petrol. My petition was fay.
orably received, and went with Mr..
Andrew Garchitorena, another Filipino.
on board the Olympia, in the bay Of
Hong Kong
"Once on board, the following inter-
view. in French, took place through the
flag interpreter:
"Filipino-Admiral, it having come
to our knowledge that a war between
your country and Spain is imminent, we,
who have fought the latter for our in.
dependence, are willing, in obedience
to the desires manifested by you TO
General Aguinaldo, through Mr.. Wood,
to take part in the war as allies OF
America, SO long as it be carried on
with the object Of freeing from the
yoke of Spain her colonies, giving them
their independence.
Admiral Dewey--The American
people, champions of liberty, will
undertake this war with the humani-
tartan object Of freeing from the Span.
ish yoke the peoples under it, and we
will give you independence and free.
dom, as we have proclaimed to the
world at large.
'Filipino-We are very grateful for
this generous manifestation of the great
American people, and being made
through an admiral of their navy, we
value 1t more than written contract
and therefore place ourselves at your
entire disposal.
Admiral Dewey-I place at your
disposal the ships OF my fleet for the
conveyance Of both the Filipino leaders
and the arms you may get. Moreover.
think my government is willing to
supply You with arms and ammunition.
"Filipino-We are very thankful to
you for this new generosity Of the Amer
Ican people, and you may be sure that we
are ready to fight at your side fol the
OF the Philippines, even
without arms, as we have done during
jhe recent revolution.
"Admiral Dewey--America is rich
N every respect she has territories
jparsely inhabited. Besides, our con-
Ititution prevents territorial expan-
ion outside OF America; therefore.
he Filipinos may be sure OF their indie.
'endence, and not bit OF their land
hall be taken from them.
After these conclusive and formal
tatements, the conversation turned TO
ther details concerning the state Of
he county,"
The letter is signed TX. Alex
ndrino." lie is Filipino general
vho recently surrendered to the
" srican forces.