Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-07-27
FROM 4 REBEL GENERAL.
Alejandrino Charges That Admiral
Dewey Promised the Filipinos
Their Independence.
WRITES A LETTER TO pETTIsaEw,
He Gives q Converaasion Alleged to Have
Occurred ON Board the Olympia ut
Hong Kong Prior to Battle of Manila
Says Dewey Placed His Ships ut the
Disposal OF Leading FnBplnoa.

Sioux Falls, S. D., July IA letter
has been received by Senator Petit
grew from one of the leading com
manders of the Filipino army giving
additional light on the claims of the
Filipino people as to the understand
ing that was arrived at between them
and the Americans before the open
ing of hostiities in the Philippines
The letter says in part:
I have read in some American papers
that Admiral Dewey, compelled by you
and other senator's, lovers of truth and
justice, to answer whether he had made
TO us formal promises Of Independence.
stated that he had never promised In
dependence to the Fflipinos." I, who,. in
the name of the Filipino people and Of
Gen. Aguinaldo, and as a representative
or 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 tnink
more convenient:
In April. 1898. when the rupture of hos
tilities between America and Spain be-
came imminent, and in the absence of
my chief, Gen. Aguinaldo. who was then
at Singapore, I solicited through the
American consul at Hong Kong, Mr..
Wfldman, to have some interviews with
Admiral Dewey, with the object of con-
tinufng the interrupted negotiations be-
tween Gen. Aguinaldo and Admiral Dew
ey, through Mr.. Wood, the commander
of the American gunboat Petrol. My
petition was favorably received and
went with Mr.. Andres s. Garchitorena
another Filipino, on board the Olympia
in the bay of Hong Kong.
Once on board, the following interview
In French took place through the flag
lieutenant, AAr. Brumley, acting as inter-
prefer:
Filfpino-Aomfral, having come to our
knowledge that war between your coun-
try and Spain Is imminent, we, who have
fought the latter for our Independence
are willing, in obedience to the desires
manifested by you to Gen. Aguinaldo
through Mr.. Wood, to take part in the
war as allies of America, so long as it is
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 humanitarian object of
freeing from the Spanish yoke the peo-
pies under it, and will give you indie
pendence and freedom, as we have pro-
claimed to the world at large.
BfIpino-We are very grateful for this
generous manifestation of the great
American people. and being made through
more than 81 written contract, and there
upon place ourselves at your entire dis
posal.
Admiral DeweyI place at your dis
veyance 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 American
people,, and you may he sure that we are
ready to fight at your side for the indie
pendence Of the Philippines, even with
out arms. as we have done during the
recent revolution.
Admiral DeweY-America is rich in
every respect; she has territories sparsely
Inhabited Besides; CUR constitution for
bids territory expansion outside of
America, therefore the Filipfnos may be
sure Of their independence and not a bit
Of their land shall be taken from them.
After these conclusive and formal state
ments the conversation turned to other
details, concerning, the state of the coun-
try.
The letter Isl signed II. Alejandrino."
He is a, Filipino general who recently sur
rendered t0' the American forces.