New-York tribune., 1900-03-11
AMERICA md THE PHILIPPINES.

SIXTO LOPEZ REVIEWS HIS ARGUMENT WITH
COLONEL DENLY AND IS ANSWERED.
In this weeks issue Of The independent sxto
Lopez, secretary Of the Filipino Commission which
visited Washington returns to his controversy with
Colonel Denoy, OF the United States Commits
soners 70 the Philippines Mr.. Lopez contends that
there alliance. least. "a cooperation
between the American and the Filipino forces and,
that being the case, ne argues that the Mckinley
Administration was guilty Of treachery toward the
Filipinos in attempting TO purchase the islands
seize them by force
Mr. Lopez quotes a dispatch sent by Consul-Gen-
eraI Pratt, of Singapore, 70 Admiral (then Commo-
dore) Dewey week before the battle OF Manila
Bay, reading thus;
"Aguinaldo, insurgent leader here Will come
Hong Kong arrange with Commodore for general
cooperation insurgents Manila, if desired
To which there came the reply: Tell Aguinaldo
come soon possible. DEWEY"
Mr. Lopez then quotes from letters by Brigadier-
General Anderson Aguinaldo showing the desire
for cooperation and expressing thanks for assist
ance. He denies that anything in the Filipino lead
ers letters or proclamations shows that AguinaIdo
favored the idea Of the Philippines being held by
America colony. and quotes the proclamation
OF June IS, 1898 part of which reads
thar The sPratton Of my wRoe fe the naf oD
tect OF all efforts and strength is nothing else
but your independence
To this Colonel DENLY makes answer in the same
issue calling attention the fact that Mr. Lopez
does cite single act showing that there was
cooperation but only kind and courteous words
OF General Anderson and Consul General Pratt
On rhe other side. he says. there the positive
denials of Admiral Dewey and General Merritt. and
much more proof. On July Is Aguinaldo 70
General Anderson advising him dsembark
North American troops, "as no formal agreement
yet exists between the two nations" So that up
20 July IS 1885 Aguinaldo did not think there
military cooperation. On that day Consul-GeneraI
Pratt wrote 10 the Secretary OF State regarding the
meeting OF the insurgent leader, General Emilio
AgUnaldo and Admiral Dewey, and saying Il
declined even 10 discuss with General Aguinaldo
the future policy OF the United States with regard
20 the Philippines, that. in accepting his
said cooperation, II would consider itself pledged
70 recognize any political claims which he might
pat forward
Colonel DENLY then takes up General Anderson's
part in the proceedings and SAYS:
This officer was temporarily in command in Luzon
until General Merritt shoulq arrive -...,,,o-
and he wrote IN very kindly manner 70 Agu-
took him a long time 70 get what ne wanted, and
ne only got anything at last by informing Agu-
naldo July q 1873 mat II ne could not secure
them for hin, y will have to pass you and make
requlsiuon directly on he people
Throughout General Andersons correspondence
Aguinaldo shows himself anxious 20 pre-
avoids committing himself 20 any acknowledgment
OF Aguinaldos civil control
Colonel Denby then proceeds to demolish the
guments Of Mr.. Lopez in the following language:
1 retterate therefore that there was no Co
operation that is, Joint action in military
attons by the American and Filipino forces. Senior
Lopez has a good deal say in criticism upon my
comments the advantages derived by US from
the military operations OF the FIlipinos There
need be no verbal qu!bbIing in the criticism
made. I repeat the statement that the mill
tary operations ot Aguinaldo and MS followers
served some extent 20 prepare the way for the
taking OF Manila. / would GetTaCt nothing from
the military prowess whlch was sho~h IN oNel
powertug and capturing many Spaniards- II must
said however that the controlling causes IN The
defeat OF the Spauards were the deeds OF our own
soldiers and sailors The battle of Manila Bay
fVGs ~ rha fare af ne
Ssnor Lopez declares that / am in error in stat
ing that aguraldO favored anything but aoSo-
Iufe Independence. Perhaps I am-but when Oscar
r Williams says in a dispatch TO his Government
under date Of June 6. 1888. that council was held
June p TO form provisional government. fnat ne
was urged 20 attend did not do so. and that
General AellinaIdo told to-day that his friends
all hope that the Philippines would be held as
colony OF United states II would seem that
he agreed with 'all his friends''-especialy- as ne
did deny that he did.