New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-10

associates the assurance that the United
States Government would recognize Filipino
independence.
ADMIRAL. DEWEY.
The foregoing statement made by Admiral
Dewey in the most emphatic tone last night.
This declaration was brought forth In dis
cussion concerning the repeated assertions that
Admiral Dewey while in the Philippines con-
suited with Agunaldo and told him that the
United States Government would recognize the
independence of the Philippines. The statement
elected principally by an article bearing
upon this subject which sent in to The
Tribune yesterday for publication. The article
shown to the Admiral in his apartment at
the Waldorf-Astoria last evening after he had
dined. With him at the time Mrs. Dewey.
The Admiral read the article carefully. It Is
as follows:
Senators Lodge and HawIey Of Massachu-
setts and Connecticut respectively, in the United
States Senate Washington. Wednesday
last, created scene by giving the lie to
statement by General Aguinaldo that Admiral
Dewey had recognized the Filipino Republic.
The following letter from H. w Bray may
throw some light on the subject which even
Admiral Dewey will not dare to dispute E.
Spencer Pratt. Consu-Cieneral of the United
9ste5 Aar S fgSs desnr,od Wr Rray as an
English gentleman of high standing, who, after
fifteen years residence a merchant and
planter in the Philippines, had been compelled
by the disturbed condition of things resulting
from Spanish misrule. to abandon his property
ana leave there. and he states IN the same dlS-
patch that this Mr.. Bray acted as interpreter
between General Aguinaldo himself Consul
General PratD and Admiral Dewey. The inter-
view with Admiral Dewey took place at Hong
kong, that with Consul General Pratt at Singa-
pCre on April 26, 1898. and Mr.. Bray thus
writes:
food for reflection by Americans generally, who
value their National word of honor pledged to
the American Consul-General in my presence while
It is undignifed and unworthy of a great Nation
be guilty of such duplicty and now say the Con
matter nn n Of 70 fdSt the consu dd not offer it Of his
own responsibility. but acting under Instructions
In the first interview the conditions of General
to DsWey and the istter cabied his acceptance,
requesting AgqInald2 to proceed with every cry, pos,
he'd at midnight by the Consul 10 look up Aguinaldo
and communicate The telegram to him in order
that he might catch a steamer leaving at daylight
in the morning It is no use TO argue tnat es Dewey
published in IN April 1899 We learn that Dewey
agTeeabv with his disc-etioi /. he brought back
Aguinado 70 Luzon gndST der the promise 1 OF K In6e
supplied him with several ;argoes of arms and
ammunition. No amount of official or diplomatic
oeh'ai can 'i'e' '''e'e Howard W. BRAY.
When Admiral Dewey had read the article, he
said mpressvely:
1 have some reports, documents and state
ments before me which intend, upon my re-
turn to Washington to submit 70 the senate
Committee on Foreign Relations. 1t is better,
however to strike this lie as it arises. and L
will answer the charge as IL comes. l never
saw this man Bray never knew him. never
heard of him except a disreputabe adventur-
er in the pay of the Philippine Junta. So far as
this story concerns me there isn't word of
truth in II.
Admiral Dewey then took up a report which
he had before him. 1t typewriter. and
destined to go to the Senate. 1t was made by
Lieutenant r. p Hall. chief engineer of the
PetreI 1t was vOluminous document, and set
forth In detail all negotiations which Captain
Wood, at that time in command of the Petrol,
who acted as Admiral Dewey's representative,
had dealing with the Philippine Junta in Hong
Kong Lieutenant Hall set fort! how the Fill
pinos through a banker named Levy. asked for
an interview with a representative of Admiral
Dewey The interview was arranged. and Lieu
tenant Hall kept the appointment. In his
port he tells in detail of the meeting; who at
tended it and what was said. The salient point
made by Lieutenant Hall is concerning Agui-
naldo's attitude at that time. This Interview
was at Hong Kong, on April 6, 1898
when Agunaldo was asked. Lieutenant
Hall who is now at the Brooklyn Navy Yard,
reported what part he intended TO take in the
war which seemed inevitable between Spain and
the United States. he replied that he had made
an agreement with the Spanish Government to
leave the Philippines; that he had received
promise of sum of money for so doing. part
of which money had been paid and he didn't
care to break his word or take any part In the
probable between Spain and the United
States
II never had any dealings with Emilio Agui-
naldo" continued the Admiral You see, L
never even called him General You see now
Just where the matter rests want you to nail
this lie hard. You say as coming from
that 1t is absolutely false