Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-07-26
A FILIPlNO'S LETTER.
A Commander in the Rebel Army
Writes to Senator Pettigrew.
INTERVIEW WITH ADMIRAL DEWEY.
Gen. AIejandrino Gives Statement Of q
Conversation Said to Have Taken Place
on Board the Olympia Between
Himself and the Admiral.

on Board the Olympia Between
Himself and the Admiral
Omaha, Neb., July 23.--A special to
the World-Herald from Sioux Falls,
S. d., says: A letter has been re-
ceived by Senator Pettigrew from one
of the leading commanders of the
Filipino army, giving additional light
on the claims of the Filipino people
as to the understanding that was ar
rived ut between them and the Ameri-
cans before the opening Of hostilties
in the Philippines. The letter says
in part:
81 have read in some American pa
pers that Admiral Dewey, compelled
by you and other senators, lovers of
truth and justice, to answer whether
he had made to us formal promises of
independence, stated that he had
never promised independence to the
F'ilipinos.' |, who, in the name of
the Filipino people and of Gen. Agui-
naldo, and as representative
of both have had the honor
to confer several times with the
admiral, make to you the following
statements, that you may use them as
you should think more convenient:
''In April, 1898, when the rupture
of hostilities between America and
Spain became imminent, and in the
absence of my chief, Gen. Aguinaldo,
who was then at Singapore, solicited
through the American consul at Hong
Kong, Mr.. Wildman, to have some
interviews with Admiral Dewey, with
the object of continuing the inter-
rupted negotiations between Gen.
Aguinaldo and Admiral Dewey,
through Mr.. Wood, the commander of
the American gunboat Petrol. My pc
tition was favorably received and |
went with Mr.. Andres S. Garchito-
rena, another Filipino, on board the
Olympia in the bay Of Hong Kong.
"Once on board, the following in
terview in French took place through
the flag lieutenant, Mr.. Brumley, act
ing as interpreter:
"Filipino-Admiral having come to
our knowledge that a war between
your country and Spain is immi-
nent, we, who have fought the
latter for our independence, are
willing, in obedience to the de-
sires manifested by you to Gen. Agui-
naldo through Mr.. Wood, to take part
in the war as allies of America, so
long as it be carried on with the OBJ
iect of freeing from the yoke of Spain
her colonies, giving them their indie
pendence,
admiral Dewey-The American
people, champions of liberty, will UNI
dertake this war with the humanita"
rian object of freeing from the Span.
ish yoke the peoples under it, and will
give you Independence and freedom,
as we have proclaimed to the world
at large
"FilipinoAWe are very grateful for
this generous manifestation of the
great American people, and being
made through an admiral of their
navy. we value ii more than written
contract. and thereupon place our
selves at your entire disposal.
admiral Dewey place at your
disposal the ships of my fleet for the
conveyance Of both the Filipino lead
ers and the arms you may get. More
over, | think my government is will
ing to supply you with arms and am
munition.
"Filipino-We are very thankful to
you for this new generosity of the
American people, and you may be sure
that we are ready to fight at your
side for the independence of the Phil
ippines, even without arms, as we have
done during the recent revolution,
"Admiral Dewey--America is rich
in every respect; she has territories
sparsely inhabited. Besides, our con-
stitution prevents terrific expansion
outside of America, therefore the Fill
pinos may be sure of their independ-
ence and not bit of their land shall
be taken from them.
"After these conclusive and formal
statements the conversation turned to
other details concerning the state OF
the country"
The letter is signed 81. Alejan-
drino." He is a Filipino general who
recently surrendered to the Ameri-
can forces.