The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-11
DEWEY'S EMPHATIC DENIAL.
MADE no ASSURANCES OR PROM
Uses TO AGUINALDO.
The Admiral, I'm an Interview, In
dIgDantIy RepeIs Statements
That Have Been Made-Is Prepar-
ing Statement for the senate.

NEW YORK, Feb. lo.-The Tribune
saws: II have never by word. act or in
timation, either personally or through
representative, conveyed to Aguinaldo or
any of his associates the assurance that
the United States government would
recognize Filipino independence"
The foregoing statement was made by
Admiral Dewey in the most en-
phatic tone last night This declaration
was brought forth in a discussion con-
corning the repeated assertion that Ad-
miral Dewey. while in the Philippines,
consulted with Aguinaldo and told him
that the United States government would
recognize the independence of the Philip
pines The statement was elected prin-
cipally by an article bearing upon this
subject which was sent in to the Tribune
for publication.
The article was shown to the admiral
In his apartment at the Waldorf-Astoria.
The admiral read the article carefully.
The article contains a letter signed by
Howard w. Bray, who is alleged to have
acted as interpreter between Aguinaldo,
Consul General Pratt and Admiral Dewey.
Mr.. Bray asserts that Agdnaldo had an
interview with United States Consul Cen
eral Pratt at Singapore on April rs, 1895;
that the conditions of Aguinaldo's policy
were clearly stated; that these were sub
mitted to Dewey and that the latter
cabled with all haste to Hongkong. and
that Dewey brought back Aguinaldo to
Luzon under promise of independence.
When Admiral Dewey had read the arti-
Gle he said impressively.
II have some reports. documents and
statements before me which l intend,
upon my return to Washington, to sub
init 10 the committee on foreign relations
1T Is better. however, to strike this lie
as 1t arises, and / will answer the charge
as 1t comes. l never saw this man Bray
] never knew him ! never heard OF him
the pay of the junta. SO far as this story
concerns me there is not word of truth
In It,"
Admiral Dewey then took up a report
which he had before him. II was type
written. and destined to go to the SEN
ate. 1t was made by Lieut. r. r. Hall,
chief engineer Of the Petrol. 1t was vo-
luminous document and set forth in detail
ALI negotiations which Capt Wood. at the
time In command of the Petrol. who act
ed as Admiral Dewey's representative.
had with the Filipino junta in
Hongkong. Lieut.. Hall set forth how the
Filipinos. through banker named Levy,
asked for an interview with representa-
tive OF Admiral Dewey. The interview
was arranged, and Lieut.. Hall kept the
appointment In his report he tells in
detail of the meeting. who attended 1t,
and what was said. The salient point
made by Lieut. Hall is concerning Aguin-
aldo's attitude at that time. This inter-
view was at Hongkong on April g. 1895
When Aguinaldo was asked" so Lieut.
Hall, who is now at the Brooklyn navy
yard, reported. what part he intended
to take In the war which seemed inevita-
BILE between Spain and the United States.
he replied that he had made an agree
ment with the Spanish government to
leave the Philippines: that he had receiv-
ed a promise OF a sum of money for so
doing, part Of, which money had been
paid, and he did not care to break his
word or take any part In the probable
war between Spain and the United
States.
II never had any dealings with Emilio
Aguinaido." continued the admiral. you
see, I never even called him general
You see now just where the matter rests
want you to nail this lie hard. You can
say. as coming from me, that II is alb
solutely false.