The Minneapolis journal., 1902-06-27
LOOT And MONEY
Aguinaldo's Sole Objects in the
Philippines, Says Dewey.
HAD NO IDEA OF INDEPENDENCE
Merritt Did Not Take Much stock in
the Spanish Agreement to Sur
~ render Manila.

w julie 1t.-~<AuI!lt al A|SVSJ
continued his testimony before the senate
committee on the Philippines to-day. Re
plying to questions put by Senator Pat
terson he said that he had begun negotia-
tions with the governor general Of the
philippines. General Jaudenes. for the
Surrender Of the city and the negotiations
were conducted through the Belgian con-
sui, who, after the death of the British
consul. had been very courteous In act
Ing as go-between. 1t was diplomatic
negotiation, no letters being written. The
admiral said he had informed General
Merritt ofsthe proffer of General Jaudenes
but he did not believe that Merritt had
taken much stock in it. I assured him
that such was the case,'' said the admiral,
but told b i'm of the arran cement that be-
fore the surrender should take place, /
was to engage an outlying fort and make
the signal according to the interna tional
code, do you surrender after which the
Span1ards We're to hoist the white flag on
the southern bastion. I may say that
was the first to discover the flag, not
whist anding had stationed fifty men to
look out for it. 1t was thick day and
chanced to be the first 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 men
toned but that it had not been his (Dew-
eys): business to communicate with any
one except the commanding officer. Asked
by Mr.. Patterson to explain his statement
that General Merritt had not accepted
the report that the Spaniards bad agreed
was only his belief. II don't believe" he
said, that the general entirely trusted
the Spanish authorities. Still he did
not say so in SO many words. may add
that have since learned that some of the
Spanish officers were tempted to fire at
Us, though they did not do so. Even my
own flag lieutenant did not accept their
proffer as In the best faith. knew,
however, that they would surrender, for
Understood the straits they were in
Replying to question as to whether
the agreemnt to surrender had been made
public at the time of the attack upon
Manila, Admiral Dewey said he thought
not There are he said, lots OF things
which are not communicated to the pub
Ic.' -. ....-... .
Mr. Patterson sought to secure from
Aguinaldo had issued a proclamation of
independence to the Filipinos about the
time of the sinking of the Spanish squad
ron but the admiral said he did not re-
member it although it was possible, that
he might have done so. ~ ,s..
Mr.. Patterson then read the paper for
warded by Consul General Pratt, May 20,
1898, in which the Philippine leader said
that Providence had opened the way for
independence to the Filipinos and spoke
Of the Americans as their liberators. The
admiral said, however, that he did not
remember to have seen the paper. He
had given Aguinaldo printing press and
probably he used this press for getting
out his proclamations. ..
In reply to question the admiral said
that Consul Williams, who had been sta
toned at Manila, was an honest man,
although perhaps quite enthusiastic. The
admiral did not, however, remember to
have promised to- Aguinaldo his cordial
teo-operation' as the consul had reported
For the purpose of making inquiry con-
| corning some of the representations o1
| Consul General Wildman, located al
Hongkong, Mr.. Patterson asked concern
miral said: Hes dead-I'd rather moi
! say. He was very able man-an able
| consul" ,Ss.-.
! Mr.. Patterson then read Mr.. Wildman's
letter Of July 1S, 1898, -; saying thai
Aguinaldo had conducted himself in q
dignif1ed manner, ETC., and the admira
assented to the truth of this statement
Speaking of Aguinaldo's loyalty the ad
miral said he had become suspicious o.
that leader before the receipt Of his
proclamation of July IL. He said: 81
began to suspect that he was not loyal tc
! us yhen he demurred to moving out o1
Cavite when our troops arrived
"You mean that they were thinking
more Of their own independence than o.
us - ..=.s ...--.t. -, - -,..-
"Yes." ..--. =.
Admiral Dewey also testified concern
ling the arms sent to Manila by Aguin
aldo, and Senator Dietrich asked the ad
miral il che did not believe that tht
arms were purchased with money pre-
yiously paid by Spain to secure peace ant
that it was his intention to use the none,
/ to foment another insurrection for the
purpose Of gain"
| The admiral's reply was: Exactly So ;
| ! Admiral Dewey said he had forwarded
the proclamaticns Of Aguinaldo to Wash
ington without reading them. THE days
and nights were not long enough for my
work at that time said the admiral;
! tSince you have asked my opinion said
he in answer to question, II will say
| I believe Aguinaldo was there for gain,
for loot, for money, and that indepen-
dence never entered his head
Senator Carmack asked him why he fur
nished such man arms and helped to
organize his army, to which the admiral
replied that "all was fair in war and
there were no American troops in the
islands to oppose the spaniards. When
he assisted Aguinaldo he did not call him
| a robber and plunderer, but the 'insur-
gent leader
..'I say think he was there for loot and
money he continued.
"Do you think be was there for any
thing else?'' he asked, turning to Senator
Carmack.
| 81 do," the senator responded.
well, l swear DON'T" said the admir-
al, emphatically. g
| Answering several quest ions the admir-
al said he thought he knew Asuinaldo
better than General Otis. General Bell, OF
any other officer, as he saw more Of him
| He had net been in Manila forty-eighi
hours before I saw he was there for loot
he was then taking everything he could
| lay his hands on from everybody, and
| expect he got the lions share
The inquiry ended rather sharply at Il
o'clock. Senator Carmack asked: "You
don't know Of single dishonest act or
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