The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-07-01

Of Ax.isalae.s Loyalty.
He Was There for Gain. Loot and
Meney-Iadepenaeace Never En-
tered His Head.

4AA@ 1&AA&* ia
Dewey continues his testimony before
the senate committee on the Philip
pines today. Replying to questions
put by Senator Patterson he said that
he had begun negotiations with the
goysrnor-general Of h PHILIPPINES.
General Jaudenes for the surrender Of
the city and the negotiations were
concluded through the Belgian consul.
The admiral said he had informed Gen.
leral Merritt. OF the prefer OF General
Jaudenes. but that he did not believe
that Merritt had taken much STOCK
in IL. I assured him that such was the
ease" said the admiral. but told him
lof the arrangement hat before the
surrender should take place / was to-
engage an outlying fort m make the
signal according to the International
code Do you surrender after which
the Spaniards were TO hoist the white
nag on n Southern Bastion. I may
say that i was the first to discover the
mag. Notwithstanding I n stationed
Infty men TO look out for IL. It was q
thick day. and / CHANGED TO be the
Idrst to discover it"
He also said he had read the testi-
mony OF General Macarthur. saying
that he knew OF no agreement of the
kind mentioned. but that IL had not
been his Oewey's) business to COM
Imunicate with IN n except the COM
manding officer.
| Mr.. Patterson sought to secure from
Admiral Dewey an admission that
Aguinaldo had issued a proclamation
OF independence to the Fflipinos about
the time OF the sinking OF the Spanish
squadron. but the admiral said he did
not remember IL although IL was pos
sible that he might have done so.
Mr.. Patterson .hen read the <paper
forwarded by Consul General Pratt
May 20, 1885. in which the Philippine
Leader said that Providence had OPEN
ed the way for independence to the
~Fflipinos and spoke OF the Americans
as their liberators. The admiral said,
however. that he did not remember to
nave seen the paper. He had. he said.
given A~guinaldo i printing press and
probably he used this press for getting
out his p~roclalamtions.
In reply to a question the admiral
said that Consul Williams who had
been stationed at Manila was an hon.
est man. although perhaps quite en-
lthusiastic. The admiral did not, how
ever. remember to have promised to
Aguinaldo his cordial cooperation"
as the consul had reported.
Speaking Of ~Aguinaldo's loyalty the
witness said that he had become sus-
lpfciouS OF the leader before the recent
OF his proclamation of July 18th. He
said, Il began to suspect that he was
not loyal TO us when he demurred to
moving out of Cavite when our troops
arrived"
Admiral Dewey said he had forward
ed h proclamations of Aguinaldo to
Washington without reading them. The
days and nights were not long enough
for my work at that time said the
sGinra Won hara arEal ms
opinion" said he, in answer to a ques-
ton II will say / believe Aguinaldo
was there for gain, for loot, for money
and that independence never entered
his head"
Senator Carmack asked the witness
why he had done so much to aid a man
who he regarded as "a common rob-
Der and p~lunderer."
The admiral did not reply immed-
lately. His face Redeemed and he
laughed He then said the senator had
not quoted accurately. but he admitted
that he had said Aguinaldo a gone
to Manila for piliage and plumber. He
added. you know the old saying that
all Is fair in war;"
"Dou you consider IL fair in war To
assist a known plunderer and robber
In an enemy's territory to pillage with
out restraint"
II believe it is as 1 read history"
4 AhC ol Edlu "utn hC dSSk6AGo
Aguinaldo he did not call him a robber
and ~plunderer, but the "insurgent lead
err
Il say I think he was there for Loot
land money" he continued. do you
think he was there for anything else?'
he asked turning to Senate Carmack.
IL do" responded tn ~esenator.
We'll / swear ! don't" said the add
miral emphatically.
Answering several questions the adj
miral sal he thought he knew Aguin-
aldo better than General Otis, General
Bell or any other officer. as he saw
more OF him. He has not been lin
Manila forty-eight hours before I saw
he was there for loot, for he was tax
ing everything he could lay his hands
on from everybody and I expect he got
the lions share"
The inquiry ended rather abruptly at
IL o'clock. Senate Carnlack asked:
You o know of a single dishon-
est act on the part Of Aguinaldo yet
you regard him as a thiefn
Admiral Dewey rose and said:
Il think i shan't answer thai uuenw