Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-26
ADM|RA[ DEWEY HEARD
Early Operations in the Phil
.ippines.
MANILA. AT HIS MERCY
CITY PRACTICALLY SURRENDER
ED AFTER BATTLE OF MAY 1.
Relations With Aguinaldo-Proclama-
ton of Observation-Disclosures
of the Filipino Leader.

Admiral Dewey made statement before
the Senate committee on the Philippines to-
day concerning the early operations at Ma
Mia, when he was In command of the
American naval forces in Philippine waters.
The admrals statement contributed an i'm
portant addition to the history of the sur
| render of the city of Manila. This consist
ed of positive statement by the admiral
to the effect that the city had been sur
rendered to him at the time that the Span
ish fleet was sunk, and that when the city
did surrender it was In pursuance of a
definite understanding between hlmself anu
the Spanish governor general.
The admiral was questioned by Senator
Lodge. He said he had first heard from
Aguinaldo and his friends about April 1,
1898, a month before the battle in Manila
bay, when it became certain that there was
to be war "I then heard that there We're
a number of Filipnos who desired TO ac-
company the fleet to Manila, he continued
"All of them were young and earnest
did not attach much Importance to th2m
or to what they said The day before we
left Hong Kong l received telegram from
Consul General Pratt, located at Singapore,
saying that Aguinaldo was at SlnsaPore
and would Join me at Hong Kong. replled
All right; tell him to come aboard, put
attached so little Importance TO the mes,
sage that l sailed without Agulnaioo anu
tefore he arrived. There were then many
promises as to what the Filipinos would 90,
but | did not depend upon them Consul
Williams assured me that upon our ar ar
rival and the firing of the first gun 3o,on
Fiipinos would rise. None aad ARISE anu
frequently joked him ON this point.
Manila Reallyf Surrendered.
It was at this point that the admiral stat
ed that the city of Manila had surrenoereo
on the day of the destruction OF the SPAN
ish fleet ,.
He said that during the naval engagement
several guns had been fired at him from
the shore batteries and that as soon as
the Spanish squadron was-destroyed ne
steamed toward the city, sending woro 10
the governor that II another shot was hred
from the shore he would fire upon the city.
THE governor replied . the admiral went
on, that if l did not fire upon the city the
shore batteries would r. main silent. Inc
Spanish flag was not taken down, Dut
white flags were raised. 1t was a surren-
der and if 1 had had with me 5000 troops
with which to occupy the city could nave
taken it and held it, Il anchored my shlps
under his guns 200 yards. and lay there
twenty-four hours. During that time the
governor general sent word to me several
times that he wanted to. surrender to me
to the navy. could not entertain his propo-
sition of formal surrender because of
the lack of troops to take possession of
the city,"
Appearance Of Aguinaldo.
Admiral Dewey then told of the arrival
at Manila of Aguinaldo. saying he had
come from Hong Kong on the revenue cut
ter. McCulloch, and that upon his report
ing to him on his flagship he had told him
to go ashore and organize his army. Ac-
cordingly Aguinaldo had landed, but he
came back few hours afterward, appar-
emily discouraged, and asked leave Of abb
sence in order to go to Japan. The ad-
miral said that he dissuaded him from pur-
suing this course and urged him not to
give up. He advised him further to con-
tinue his efforts outside the American lines
and gave him seventy-fiye Mauser rifles
mon enemy" said the admiral, land 1
wanted his help
Continuing, the admiral said that after
Aguinaldo got his forces organized he oc-
cupied Cavite, but when he Dewey learned
that American troops were expected to ar
rive soon he asked the F'ilipinos to retire.
They at first demurred, but ultimately con-
sented.
1t was after this time, On July Is. that
Agunaldo sent to him from Baccoor his
hrst proclamation of the independence Of
the Philippines.
Aguinaldo's Proclamation.
THAT proclamation" said the admiral.
was the first intimation 1 had ever re-
ceived of the aspiration of the Philippine
people for an independent government
| Aguinaldo had neVerst told me that the in
dependence of his people was his aim. But
| when the proclamation came l thought
nothing of 1t. Indeed. attached so little
Importance to it that did not cable it to
| Washington, but left IT'S transmittal to the
! mails #
| He then told of Aguinaldo's military ope-
| rations toward Manila, saying that he did
wonderfully, whipping the Spanish many
| times. Aguinaldo had wanted to attack
| the city itself. but het etCDewey) had advised
against this course. The admiral said that
at that time his intercourse with the Fill
| pino chieftain was mpst friendly.
Indeed" he said, 'Aguinaldo and were
always on the most friendly terms. He con-
| s!dered me, think, the Hberator of himself
| and his people. I realty think he enter
tanned the highest aqmtTation for us be-
cause we had whipped the spaniards. who
had SO compIetefE dominated the Filipinos
| for 300 years.
Did Not Rseoenixe 6ilipinos.
did you ever recogaize his government? p
Senator Lodge asked
Never. Nor did Iyexer salute his flag, as
| was reported. lie hsssted aaf,ag on small
/ vessel that he had eoane into. possession Of
The admiral of the Getmanfiset notified me
| tive, adding that the nag mas only little
piece of bunting, ana that:any one could
run up piece of na1nting ON a private
ydCAt' 4<o, newer g2lutc1 Tue nag, ana,
| indeed, did not attakh any official signifi-
canoe to it or to. AguihaidoL- never called
him general but addressed him as Don
Emilio"
Did you recognize 3khe Philippine repub-
lic?" :
Il did not. newell gave i The slightest
| recognition. I7had NJ suhhorfty to- do so,
and beside did not cohsfaers 1t an organized
government. There was reign Of terror,
and the Philippine forces were riding rough
shod over the comm unitys committing many
acts of cruelty. sent word to Aguina lido
| that he must treat his prisoners kindly, and
| he replied that he wouId.s'
What would have been the effect Of per-
mitting the PhiHnpine forces to enter Ma
| Mia when our troops entersd?'
surrerasr Frearranged.
The Spauiards were very fearful Of the
result Of such course. and, thsxefnre, they
surrendered 70 me IN advance. That was
| all arranged. and there Was n& need for
the loss Of a man in the casSturesSf the city.
II was to be done at st6aal. and no gun
need have been firsd by ui. but Tor the de-
I sire Of the agverz,0r spenSpSat vU1,o a9fd his