The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1900-10-06
AeulNALpoWAs RRlREp.


was not bribed by the Spanish to
leave the Philippines for good,
That question had been so thorough
" disposed of that it is something
Of surprise to find Democrats still
trying to bubble over it. A few
facts relative to this matter might
be pertinent at this time and as
they are all takenfrom documentary
evidence and the statements of re-
liable and well informed persons
there need be no hesitancy about
receiving them. Aguinaldo was
actually bought for $500, 900, Next
can money. The deal contemplated
$500, 900 but Aguinaldo neither ex-
pected that much nor did the Span
ish officers with whom he negotiated
expect to pay it. The $500, 900
were paid to Aguinaldo, and some.
forty of his friends upon the con-
sideration that they should leave
the Philippine Islands and remain
away during the pleasure of the
Spanish government" There was
some sort of a treaty known both
to Aguinaldo and the Spanish Cap
tain General to be a swindle in
every respect except as to the pass
age of the money. The money was
| paid, to get which the bank was
robbed, or what amounted to the
same thing it was coerced under
threats of the Captain General, to
issue to Aguinaldo and his friends
certified check on the Bank of
Hongkong. At that time Aguin-
aldo was the leader of small force
in the Philippines and was making
a good deal of trouble for the Span
lsh Captain General who conceived
the idea that it was easier to buy
Aguinaldo than to fight him. In
order to justify himself with his
own government the Captain Cen
eral very much exaggerated Aguin-
aldo's Importance, which gave him
an opportunity to pose as a pacif-
Gator of the Philippines and in case
of any future disturbance he could
blame it to some one else. The
Captain General was very much
displeased because Aguinaldo's de-
parture did not cause even a tenn
f porary suspension of hostilities, and
the instruction, which had become
habitual with the Filipinos, went
right along as if nothing had hap
pened. This simply indicates the
position which Aguinaldo actually
held among his own people. But
Aguina1do carried the sack which
made him the leader of the iunta
(which afterward located on back
street in Hongkong. The alleged
treaty between Aguina1do and the
Captain General provided for the
payment to Aguinaldo of $500, DOC
and the institution of certain re.
; forms. 1t was never intended, how
: ever, that any part Of the treaty
should be fulfilled except the pay
; ment of one-half the money. 1Oi
course the reforms were never car.
ried out and they were never ex.
. pected to be. Aguinaldo himself
never expected that there would be
, any reforms. He knew the Spanish
> Eoficer too well for that; but later
f he made failure to carry out these
5 reforms, pretext for charging bad
, faith, but there was no breach ol
, faith on either side because there
? was no sincerity in the transaction.
After receiving the sack Aguinaldc
; and his "compatriots'' went direct
+ to Hongkong, transported there al
Spanish expense. The whole crowd
numbered about forty. The Span.
, ish bride gave to each $4,000.
f Aguinaldo was in favor of keeping
the money in lump bat one of his
''compatriots" demanded his share
and to appeaseSShin he was given
J, $1,000. In this way the case was
for the present kept out of the
courts but at later day, ON account
of trouble over the division, the
l..