The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-16

naldo knew at all times since the break
ing out OF the war that he had never had
from any person who had any authority TO
make IL.
1 propose TO prove these propositions
from the official m
The evidence is conclusive not only that
such authority was not given, but II was
expressly denied. and the admiral. the gem
erals and the consuls were all warned
against having political alliances with the
insurgents. Thus. Secretary Long tele-
graphs to Dewey on May IS. only a few
days after Aguinaldo arrived at Manila, as
follows: 1T is desirable as far as possible
and consistent for your success and SAFETY
not 10 have political alliances with the in
surgents or any faction in the islanos That
would incur liability TO maintain their
cause in the future" bureau Navigation.
z. 101.)
On June 16. 1895. the State Department
wrote TO Consul Pratt:
This government has known the Philip
pine insurgents only as discontented ana
rebellious subjects of Spain. and is not ac-
quainted with their purposes.
IL In the course OF your conferences win
General Aguinaldo you acted upon the as
sumption that this government would CO.
operate with him for the furtherance OF
his cooperation IL would consider itself
pledged to recognize any political schemes
which he may put forward, your action was
unauthorized and cannot be approved"
On June IL the State Department tele-
graphed to Pratt:
Avoid unauthorized negotiations with
Philippine insurgents"
June %. 1898, the department telegraphs
to Pratt:
THE department is pleased to learn that
you did not make any political pledges TO
Aguinaldo.' (Sen. Doc. 62, p. 350.)
On Aug. 4 the State Department tele-
graphcd Mr.. Williams. in answer TO his
statement that he had declined To be pres
ent at the organization OF their govern
ment:
Your course while maintaining amicable
relations with the insurgents in abstain
ing from any participation in the adoption
OF their so-called provisional government is
approved" (Sen. Doc. 81, p. 1881
On Aug. G the State Department tele-
graphed TO Consul Wildman:
You are forbidden to make pledges or
discuss policy" (Sen. Doe. 81, p. $780,
AGUINALDO KNEW IT.
Knowing. as Aguinaldo did, that our con-
sui general at Singapore had no authority
to promise independence, he must certainly
know that Consul Wildman. at Manila, had
no such authority.
AS to Dewey, we have the same evidence,
for General Anderson. as he states in his
article in the North American Review last
February, visited Aguinaldo with Dewey
on the lst of July, 1898, only a few days
after A~guinaldo had established his revolu-
tionary government, and he said:
Il told him that l had no author
ity to recognize his government"
On July % General Anderson writes To
Aguinaldo: Il observe that your Excellency
has announced himself as a dictator and
proclaimed martial law. As / am here
simply in a military capacity, / have no
authority to recognize this assumption. |
nave no orders from my government on the
llhIaar nnA CO q - nc n aaa -oArfn vnrar
independent status has not been recognized
394.)
A few days after this Consul Williams,
on Aug. 4, has an interview with Aguin-
aldo and a conversation regarding the de-
STABILITY Of annexation and independence.
But Williams states in his report to the
department that he told Aguinaldo that
the conversations were friendly, but moi
fetal. on his part. When General Merritt
came TO Manila in reply to Aguinaldo he
directed Major Bell to say COtis Report,
T. 20: That l have every disposition TO
represent literally the government al
Washington, which j know is inclined TO
deal fairly with him and his people, but,
not knowing what the policy of that gov
inner will be, i am not prepared to make
any promises except that in the event OF
the United States withdrawing from these
islands care will be taken to leave him in
as good a condition as he was found by the
forces of the government"
Not only was no authority ever given Il
promise independence, but Aguinaldo knew
that no one with whom he conversed oil
co~rresponded had such authority. How die
he know this? He was distinctly informed
of Ii by the consuls with whom he con,
Versed as well as by the commanding gen
erals of our army.
When our war broke out with Spain. Mr.
Pratt was our consul at Singapore and OF
the 9th of April, he had an interview will
Aguinaldo which is described in a repor
made only four days afterward TO the Stat
Department. Mr.. Pratt said: ~ took 4
upon myself, whilst explaining that L haC
no authority to speak for the government
to point out the danger of continuing In
dependent action at this stag etc" GSen
Doc, 62, p. 342.l
On April 30 Pratt reported again: 9Th.
general further said that he hoped tn,
United States would assume the protection
Of the Philippines for at least long enough
to allow the inhabitants to establish a gov
eminent of their own for the organization
Of which he would desire American view!
and assistance. These questions 1 told hin
/ had no authority to discuss" lSen. Doc
G., p. 343.1
Aguinaldo knew therefore when he Ief
Singapore that he had no promise or assur
ance OF any kline from the United State:
government as to its future course; thai
Pratt was not authorized TO speak.
NO PROMISE EVER MADE.
But, more than this. no promise of indie
pendence was ever made TO Aguinaldo at all
On June 27 Dewey telegraphed to the Sec
rotary of the Navy: 1.-The United State.
has not been bound in any way 10 assis
the Insurgents by any act or promise anC
he IAguinaldol is not to my knowledge com
mitted to us" bureau Navigation, p. 103.
Admiral Dewey says Qst Rep. Philippin,
Commission): "No alliance of any kind wa!
entered into with Aguinaldo nor was any
promise of independence made to him ther
MAY IS, 1889 or at any other time" Ant
in Dewey's letter 10 Henry Cabot Lodg'
read in the Senate, the admiral says: HI
never alluded to the word independence
in any conversation with me or my officers
The statement hat l received him will
military honors or saluted the s~o-calleC
Filipino flag is absolutely false"
General Merritt goes even further in al
article III the New York Independent, Jan
4 last. He says: There was positively n,
agreement between Aguinaldo or any o
his representatives and himself that looked
toward cooperation between us" On Jul,
2S. 1888. Consul Pratt wrote to his govern
ment: Il held out no hopes to him OF an.
kind, committed the government in no way
| whatever, and in the course of our confer
ences never acted upon the assumption tina
the government would cooperate with hin
| Tor the furtherance of any plan of his own
| ISen. Doc. 81, Z. 35S.1
On Aug. o, 1895, Consul Wildman reporte'
| from Hong-Kong: 1--WE made him GAguin
| aldoJ no pledges but extracted from hin
but two. 10 wit: To obey unquestioningly III
| commander of the United States forces IL
the Philippine islands. and to conduct hi
! warfare on civilized lines" [Sen. Doc. 6.
+. 339.1
The Anti-imperialists. driven from ever,
other resource, are relying upon what the