The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-09

MISTAKE OF AN AGUINALDOITE.
In his speech TO the Democratic conven-
ton Mr.. Ralston turned his attention to
the Philippine question, saying that the
contention of the administration runs coun-
ter to that OF Admiral Dewey, who has
tened to argue in a cablegram to the Navy
Department the capability of the Filipinos
for self-government." That is Mr.. Raj
ston's version of a matter which is now
history. The fact is that, on June o. near
ly two months after his victory. Admiral
Dewey, in answer to an inquiry relative to
cablegram Of 254 words. of which the last
twenty-eight words was an expression Of
opinion that the Filipinos are more capable
of self-government than the natives of
Cuba. The remainder of the dispatch is
devoted to a declaration that, while he had
allowed Aguinaldo to take arms and am
munition from the Spanish arsenal, ''the
United States has not been bound in any
way to assist the insurgents by acts or
promises" Mr.. Ralston did not notice the
first 225 words of Admiral Dewey's dis
patch, the contents of which caused it to be
sent. but declared that ne FASTENED to
argue by cablegram of the fitness of the
Filipinos for self-government. The Indiana
champion OF Aguinaldo proceeds to declare
that our representatives treated these Fill
pinos at first ''as worthy allies" and that
they were given to understand that our
rIyrnoaa IN cao frot thay <xo< <bcfr
dependence
It IL not probable that Mr.. Ralston has
read the report Of the Philippine commits
sion, which the President sent to the Sem
ate on Feb. 2. Possibly he has read it. but
assumes that his listeners had never heard
of it. Admiral Dewey had had months of
experience with the Filipinos after his ex-
preston that they are more capable of
self-government than the Cubans," and
before he signed the report of the commits
sion. of which he declared that he ''in-
dorsed every word Of IT." The report Of
the commission closed with several opin-
ions. which are numbered one two, three,
etc. The second Of these declarations,
which can be found In the files of any real
newspaper, Feb. or 4. 1900, reads as fol-
lows:
The Filipinos are wholly unprepared for
independence. and II independence were
given them they could not maintain it.
Eighteen months contact with the Fill
pinos had led Admiral Dewey to adopt a
different conclusion than that which Mr..
Ralston quotes. The further inference
xx-hi
speech was that Admiral Dewey sent the
cablegram because he desired that the
United States and it's people should declare
for the independence of the republic which
Aguinaldo had set up by proclamation. The
first opinion. attached to the report of the
Philippine commission. which Admiral
Dewey Endorsed every word" reads as fol-
lows:
The United States cannot withdraw from
the philippines. We are there, and our
duty bids US remain there. There is no es-
cape from eur responsibility to the Fill
pinos and to mankind for the government
Of the archipelago and the amelioration of
the condition Of its Inhabitants.
Now. as to treating Aguinaldo as an ally,
as Mr.. Ralston intimated, nothing of the
kind was done. Indeed, since Aguinaldo
made himself the head of a dictatorial gov
eminent there was not much opportunity
to consider him as an ally. There is no
statement but that of Aguinaldo's that he
was treated as an ally was given any
promise of independence whatever In
dispatch dated June 6 Admiral Dewey said:
II have not entered into any alliance with
the insurgents" IN a note to Senator
Lodge, dated Jan. 30. 1900. Admiral Dewey
said: 1.-The statement of Aguinaldo in the
Springfield Republican, so far as it relates
to me, is tissue of falsehood. never
promised him, directly or indirectly. indie
pendence for the F'ilipinos; he never ut
tered the word independence in any con-
versation with me or my officers; the state
ment that / received him with military
honors saluted the Filipino flag is abso-
utely false" Aguinaldo having said that,
in the presence of General Anderson, Ad-
miral Dewey had promised him recognition,
is denied by General Anderson himself 1t
is the testimony of General Anderson. Gen.
eral Greene and General Macarthur that,
| from the landing of our troops until he be-
gan open war. he assumed a hostile atti-
tude.
Mr. Ralston may accept the unsupported
word Of Aguinaldo against Admiral Dewey.
| Generals Merritt. Anderson. Otis and other
| Americans If he chooses. If he does it is
| because attorney takes the word of his
| client In preference to the best testimony
| against him.
PROGRESSING BACKWARDS
| The spirit of the platform adopted by the