The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-23
A FILIPINO's STATEMENT.
He Gives His Account of an Interview
with Admiral Dewey.

SIOUX FALLS, S. d., July PA letter
has been received by Senator r.. r. Petit
grew from one Of the leading commanders
of the Filipino army. giving additional
light on the claims of the Filipino people
as to the understanding that was arrived
at between them and the Americans. be-
fore the opening of hostilities in the Philip
pines. The letter which is dated: "Sinuk-
wan Encampment, Philippine Islands,
April 12," and addressed to the Hon. r.
f. Pettigrew and George F. Hoar. Sena-
tors. Washington" says in part:
Gentlemen: have read in some Ameri-
can papers that Admiral Dewey, compelled
by you and other senators. lovers of truth
and justice, to answer whether he had
made to us formal promises of independ-
ence. stated that he had never promised
independence to the Fflipinos /, who, in
the name of the Filipino people and of
General Aguinaldo. and as a representative
of his, have had the honor to confer sew
eral times with the admiral make TO you
the following statements that you may
use them as you should think more con-
venient:
I'm April, 1885, when the rupture of
hostilities between America and Spain be-
came imminent and in the absence of my
chief, General Aguinaldo, who was then at
Singapore, i solicited through the Ameri-
can consul at HongKong, Mr.. Wildman,
to have some interviews with Admiral
Dewey, with the object of continuing the
interrupted negotiations between General
Aguinaldo and Admiral Dewey, through
Mr.. Wood, the commander OF the Ameri-
can gunboat Petrol My petition was
favorably received and / went with Mr.
Andres Garchitorena, another Filipino, on
board the Olympia in the bay of Hong
Kong. Once on board the following inter-
view in French took place through the
flag lieutenant Mr.. Brumley, acting as in
terpreter:
knowledge that war between your coun-
try and Spain is imminent. we, who have
fought the latter for independence, are
willing, in obedience to the desires mani
tested by you to General Aguinaldo
through Mr.. Wood. to take part in the war
as allies of America, so long as ii be car
ried on with the object OF freeing from the
yoke of Spain her colonies, giving them
Admiral Dewey-The American people
champions of liberty, will undertake this
war with the humanitarian object OF free
ing from the Spanish yoke the peoples un-
der IT, and will give you independence and
freedom, aswe have proclaimed to the
world at large.
'Filipino-we are very grateful for this
generous manifestation of the great Amer
admiral of their navy, value il more
than a written contract and thereupon
place ourselves at your entire disposal.
Admiral Dewey-I place at your dis
posal the ships of my fleet for the con-
veyance of both the Filipino leaders and
the arms you may get. Moreover. 1 think
my government is willing 10 supply you
with arms and ammunition.
'Filipino-We are very thankful 10 you
for this generosity of the American
people, and you may be sure that We are
ready 10 fight at your side for the inde-
pendence of the Philippines, even without
arms. as we have done during the recent
revolution.
Admiral Dewey-America is rich in
every respect, she has territories sparseIy
inhabited. Besides, our Constitution pre-
vents territorial expansion outside of
America. therefore the Filipinos may be
sure of their independence and not a bit
of their land shall be taken from them.
After these conclusive and formal state
ments the conversation turned to other
details concerning the state of the coun-
try
The letter is signed ~. Alejandrino -
He is a Filipino general. who recently sur
rendered TO the American forces.