Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-28
DEWEY AGAIN HEARD
Tells Why He Distrusted
Aguinaldo.
rs CLOSELY QUESTIONED
OBJECTS TO THE METHOD OF
SS-EXAMINATION.
Refuses to Answer Inquiries in Way
to Criticise Oficers-Differences
With Gen. Anderson.

the statement made by the admiral at the
first days proceedings concerning the
proffer made by the Spanish governor gen
eral to surrender to him.
Senator Carmack called attention to the
fact that the press reports made 1t appear
that he had said that during the next
twentyfour hours after the destruction of
the Spanish fleet on May l there had been
several proffers of surrender on the part of
the governor
The admiral replied that he had said that
between May l and August 13 the governor
general had sent word to him more than
once that he would be pleased to surrender
to the navy. The first proffer. he said, was
made in May through the English consul,
and subsequent proffers were made through
the Belgian consul. At the time, the admi-
raj admitted, Aguinaldo had begun opera
tions around Manila, and was working to-
ward the city.
Taking up the thread of the investigation
where it was dropped yesterday, Senator
Carmack asked the witness if all the
trouble in the Philippines had been due to
Aguinaldo. Il won't say that the admiral
replied, but he continued, Il will repeat
that if we had had 5000 troops at Manila
on May l the city could have been taken
possession of, and we would have had, at
least for the time, no trouble with the ma
tives They were our friends them
IN reply 10 OtneT questions put Dy Send-
tor Carmack concerning Agunaldo the ad-
miral said: Il think you are making too
much of Aguinaldo. He was mere figure
head and was surrounded by stronger men
than himself. Mabini was one of these and
General Luna, whom he had killed, was
another"
Replying to another question the admiral
said it was the general report through
out the east that in 1897 Aguinaldo had be-
trayed his people to the Spaniards for
money. Nor did he remember that this
report had been denied by American Off
GERS in the Philippines. Among other Off
GERS quoted in this connection was Cen
eral Greene, and the admiral called at
tention to the fact that General Greene
had not given his authority. If he said,
"Agoncillo told him l don't think the au-
thqrity was good
Lived Like Prince
"Why do you say that Aguinaldo took
the lions share of the property gathered
by the insurgents?''
Because he was living at Malolos like
prince. He had nothing when he landed
at Manila, and he could have procured the
means for this ostentation in no other way
He began Immediately after arrival to take
every dollar in sight. 1t may be urgrateful
in me to state the fact, but it is true that
he sent cattle to me-herds of them-for
the ships. The stock were taken from the
Philippine people"
WAS any statement made of this cir
cumstance at the time?"
NO; that is war, as you know
Continuing his reply to this question the
admiral said the Philippine army was then
only mob and without organization and
had to be fed and clothed. He did as
many others have done-he made the coun-
try support him.
did you regard that proceeding as pil-
lage and loot?"
We'll, we didn't do that way. For in
stance, took all the coal in sight, but 1
paid for it."
Senator Patterson-"Do you refer to
Aguinaldo taking property for the support
OF the army as loot and pillage?'
Admiral Dewey-"That is one part of it"
Senator Carmack-"You didn't object at
that time?"
Admiral Dewey-"No; but he soon got be-
yond me-"
Excused From Making Criticism.
A number of questions were asked in re-
gard to statements made by Generals
Greene, Bell and others, but the witness
asked to be excused from criticising Off
GERS of the army, and the chair (Senator
Beveridge) said that he was not required
to answer any questions the replies to
which would involve such criticism. There
upon the admiral said he was very glad"
and Senator Carmack said he knew of no
such rule, but he supposed he would have
to submit. =.
The admiral added that no opinions by
others would change his own opinions of
Aguinaldo.
Senator Carmack-"Then is 1t a fact that
you took man to Manila to be a leader of
the native people who had but recently be-
trayed those people for bribe?"
Admiral Dewey-"I think that would
have made no difference: the country was
under reign of terror
Then you wanted a man who could or
ganize the natives?'
No; didn't want any one. Agunaldo
and his people were forced upon me by
Consul Pratt and others
Did the consul and others have any DOW
er TO force these people upon you?'
Pressure From Consuls.
Yes, by constant pressure. didn't want
the Filipino refugees because 1 didn't be-
lieve that half dozen Of them would do
any good in view of the report that thou
sands would rise up in insurrection upon
our arrival in Manila. I thought they
would play very small part
Then you placed the country at the
mercy Of man who would plunder and
his services?'
This question the admiral declined to an
sWer and Senator Patterson took the Wit
ness, asking If Aguinaldo had ever talked
to him on the basis of selling out to the
Americans. The admiral replied in the
negative and Mr.. Patterson then asked if
the Philippine leader had ever asked him
for money.
The reply was that Aguinaldo had asked
him to exchange gold for Mexican dollars.
Il was pretty sure as to where he had
gotten the dollars as he hadn't brought
them with him." said the admiral '.and /
thought that the fact that he wanted gold
was pretty good indication that he was get
ting ready to leave. That was one thing
which made me think that the man was
feathering his own nest, but it was only a
suspicion
Here the admiral again referred to Aguin-
aldos style at Malolos and Senator Patter-
son asked II that style had not served the
purpose of inspiring the admiration of his
followers and holding their allegiance.
To this inquiry the witness replied that
the style was probably more inspiring to
them than to those from whom the property
had been taken"
Do you think that Is proper testimony,
asked Mr.. Patterson, and Chairman Beyer-
fdge interfered with strong protest against
against Admiral Dewey. He con-