The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-08-03

tween America and Spain. At that
ii me this so-called general claims to
have said to Admiral Dewey that it was
evident war was imminent between
Spain and the United States, and that
they, who were the adherents Of Agui-
naldo, were willing to take yart as
"allies of America" so long as the war
was carried Oh with the object of free
ing her colonies from the yoke of Spain
and giving them their independence.
To this statement Of an alleged CONVEX
sation had, as it will be observed, some
time before the battle of Manila took
place, General Ilejandrino claims that
Admiral Dewey said:
"The American people, champions of
liberty, will undertake this war, with
the humanitarian object of freeing from
the Spanish yoke the peoples under it,
and will give you independence and
freedom as we have proclaimed to the
world at large. America is rich
in every respect, she has territories
sparsely inhabited, besides our consti-
tuition prevents territorial expansion
outside Of America; therefore the Fill
pinos may be sure of their independence
and not bit of their land shall be
taken from them"
Dewey Denies 1t.
Putting aside the fact that at that
time no one had discussed the
question of expansion and no one
had brought up the objection put by
this Filipino general in the mouth of
Dewey, s'our constitution prevents terri
torial expansion outside of America, >"
Admiral Dewey, himself, gives the
direcs lie to this letter. He charges
that it is a "tissue of falsehoods I" He
said at no time did he ever promise in
dependence to the Filipinos, and he
adds: 81 had no power to do 500
In this connection, it is we'll to quote
letter written by Admiral Dewey to
Senator Lodge early this year, at a
time when the claims of Aguinaldo
We're given publication in the Anti I'M
perialist press of this country
Dewey to Senator Lodge.
WASHINGTON, D. G., January 80,
19O0.-Dear Senator Lodge: The state
ment of Emilio Aguinaldo, as recently
published in the Springfield Republi-
can, SO far as it relates to me, is tissue
of falsehoods. I never promised, di-
rectly or indirectly, independence for
the Filipinos. never treated him as
an ally, except to make use of him and
the soldiers to assist me in my opera
tions against the Spaniards He never
alluded to the word independence" in
any conversation with me or my Off
GERS.
The statement that l received him
with military honors, or saluted the So
called Filipino flag, is absolutely false.
Sincerely yours, GEORGE DEWEY.
Only a short time before an insur.
gent bullet killed General Lawton, he
| wrote a letter to the Hon. John Bar.
rett, former United States minister tc
Siam, which may in the light of subse-
quent events almost be taken as pro-
phetic. This letter. which reached its
destination after the sorrowful news OF
General Lawton's death had traversed
the ocean, was as follows:
Lawton's Prop hetic Words.
II would to God that the whole truth
Of this whole Philippine situation
could be known by everyone in America
as know it. If the real history, inspira
ton and conditions of this instruction
and the influences, local and external
as well as the actual possibilities OF
these islands and people and their 1ela
tions to this great East could be under
stood at home, we would hear of nc
more talk of unjust shooting of gov
eminent into the Filipinos, or hauling
down the flag in the Philippines. Il
the sO-called anti-imperialists coulG
honestly ascertain the truth on the
ground, and not in distant America
they, whom believe to be hones
men misinformed, would be con
WINGED OF the error OF their statement
and conclusion, and of the unfortu
nate effect OF their publications here
If am shot by a Filipino bullet, 1t may
as well come from one of my own men
because know from observation, con
firlned by captured prisoners, that tn,
! continuance of fighting is chiefly due t,
reports that sent out from America
Brave General Lawton was shot, ant
the responsibility for his death rest
somewhere. 1t is also true, as h,
stated in the letter above, that the con
tinued instruction against the attempts
of the United States to provide stabl,
government for the Philippines is fos
tered by the arguments, platform and
speeches of Democratic politicians
Democratic press and Democratic can
didates.
Epigams From R0Osevelt's Speech.
mo matter how honest and brave
man may be, if he is natural borl