Washington sentinel., 1900-02-10
AguinAldo's Word


WhatsoeVer the question, wher-
soever raised, and by whomsoever
discussed, It is fair to calmly hear
both sides. To condemn unheard
and to ignore a plea without seri.
Gus consideration are acts that de-
fne a tyrant. Indeed it is the in
variable characteristic OF tyrant
that he refuses to listen to any
presentation OF facts not his own,
that he scouts as absurd the possi-
bility OF his being himself in error
and that he arrogantly employs all
the force at his command to COM
pei people to think as he does and
act as he wills.
Aguinaldo has at last presented
his chronicle of events to the
American people. In September,
at Jarlac, the capital Of the Philip
pine Republic, the President wrote
out a carefully prepared document,
setting forth the facts in the case,
as he understood them. He calls
this his Authentic Review OF the
Philippine Revolution" Itwould
make about two pages of the SEN
TINEL, published in full. 1t came
accidentally into the hands OF Mr..
I.y ing Winslow, the efficient Sec.
retary OF the New England Anti
ImperiaIist League, and was by
him carefully translated and
offered to the press Of the country.
We have not room for any sat
isiactory abstract of this remaTka-
bic a1d authoritative document.
Whether il is in all particulars ac-
curate we do not know, but it can
scarcely be more incorrect than the
statement OF those members Of our
Administration who have inten-
tionally and deliberately lied with
the purpose Of making che Ameri-
can people believe that the Fili-
pinos began the war, when, from
Mckinley down, they know from
Otis's own reports that he began
il, and that he afterwards refused
to consider Aguinaldo's appeal Tor
peace. The document certainly
has a plausible sound, and it
agrees. in the main, with what our
own generals and consulS have
told us. The FIRST half is devoted
to a narrative OF events preceding
the proclamation of Philippine In
dependence, on June IL, 1893, and
tells OF the victories oi Aguinaldo's
troops over the Spaniards and OF
DeweY's eager cooperation and ex-
pressions of gratitude. We quote
some characteristic: paragraphs:
Toward the emo Of June visited
Admiral Dewey, who complimented me
on the rapid victories OF the Philippine
revolution, but informed me that the
German and French admirals had asked
him why be had consented that the
FIipinos should use on their ships flag
which was not recognised; to which he
had replied, that the Fillpinos were
using this flag with his knowledge and
consent. apart from which they had by
their valor and resolution in the war
against the SpsniaTds deserved to make
use Of this right for the future.
On the first day of fSeptember ordered
that all the Philippine ships should
display our ensign, our small navy being
the first to carry out the order. Our
navy comprised about eight Spanish
steam launches and five other ships Of
larger tonnage. They were at once
prepared In our arsenal for gunboat
service. with guns OF nine and eight
centimeters, which were taken from the
ships Of the Spanish squadron.
o how beautiful and graceful our
banner looked waving from the top
mastS of our ships on the waters of
Manila Bay, amongst the ensiens Of
other great nations, before whose ships
ours came and went carrying the emblem
of liberty and independence How we
reVered aud admired 1t, born as It was
brave Philippine army IN sight oi the
vanquished troops of the Spanish
Government
The heart swelled with JOY, the soul
was filed with pride, and patriotism felt
herself satisfied on viewing this glorious
spectacle.
This is a pathetic record Of pat
riotism and devotion. Dewey
compliments the beauty OF the Fill.
ipino flag and asked Aguinaldo to
give him one to carry back to
America, adding. says the record,
"Trust to my word, which /
pledge, that the United States will
recognize the independence OF this
country" Aguinaldo at once sent
the Admiral flag.
But presently came Merritt from
Mckinley; and then followed mis-
understandings. The Filipinos
were first ignored; then driven oui
OF the city they had virtually cap.
tured; then insulted; then brutally