The Washington times., 1902-06-05
Buencanino Comments
on Theatric Utterances
of Filipino Leaders.
EXPLAINS CHANGE OF VIEWS
ciples He Had Fought for When He
Read Paris Treaty and Provisions for
Government.

Senior Felipe Buencamino continued
mittee on Insular Affairs yesterday.
Mr.. Jones continued his questioning
and was several times interrupted by
the chairman and other members of the
committee who thought that some of his
questions were not relative to the sub
ject, as when Mr.. Jones endeavored to
discover whether the witness consid-
cred the Roman Catholic faith enlight-
ened religion.
Mr.. Jones continued to quote from
the memorial submitted to Congress.
quotation was read by the Virginia
Representative TO the effect that the
only way in which 20 put an odious
sovereignty over the Filipinos would be
to kill about 100000 of them.
Those Who Said "Die" Still Living.
Mr.. Jones asked If the witness still
adhered to that statement.
The witness said that the true facts
beginning with Aguinaldo, were still
living.
Mr.. Jones replied:
But is it not true that you your
self are one OF them. and are now en-
jcying a fat Office under the United
statcs?" but Chairman Cooper imme-
diately objected to the question.
When Mr.. Jones raised the question
whether the witness had been actually
captured, he replied with emphasis that
he was the only one OF Aguinaldo's sec
retaries who had been. imprisoned. all
the others having surrendered and been
given their liberty, while he had been
in custody for five months
Mr. Jones read from the memorial a
statement in regard to the sequence
of President McKinIey's moves in the
outbreak of hostilities and asked II it
correctly represented his views on that
point MIR. Buencamino replied that it
did then and does still.
Promises Not Made.
He explained that they were given TO
understand that Dewey had made prom
Uses to Aguinaldo. which were subse-
ouently contradicted by President Nc
kinney, and it developed that Dewey |
never made any such promises. so that
il his opinion was different now 1t was |
because the promises never existed. He |
said that he would prefer not to disclose |
any of Aguinaldo's secrets unless com
PEELED to do so by the committee, but .
that he would state that this caused .
him to separate himself, as did others,
from Aguinaldo in a perfectly honora
BILE way.
Representative Jones read from the
statement to the effect that !
1t was unquestionable that the Filipinos
were not the aggressors, for they real
lied that if they acted on the offensive
hey would not secure any aid, material
o. moral, and that such action would
have been suicidal. asking if that rep
resented his views. Mr.. Buencamino re-
Piled that that was and is the honest
conviction of himself and his associ-
ites on that point
The Afternoon Session.
At the afternoon session Mr.. Buen-
amino continued his remarks. prefac-
ng them by statement that he did
lot desire any remarks he had hereto
ore made to be construed as meaning
hat he is now in favor independence
or the Filipinos. explaining that he had ]
dvocated their independence when he |
elieved Dewey had made such promises |
o Aguinaldo, but has not done so ,
ince.
Representative Jones spent some time !
4 compiling statistics as TO the length I
I his service under the Spanish gov r
with Aguinaldo, and with the
nited States.
In answer to questions from the l
hartman as to the manner in which O
guindldo was treated. the witness ex- S
lained that ne lived in a palace. the a
mt OF which was $500 Mexican per {
onth. was furnished a retinue of ser
ants and allowed l6 Mexican pesos Il n
ly b
so it seems Aguinaldo has been do c
g pretty we'll, too remarked the
IA rman. b
The witness took pains TO explain, "
'weyer, that while he received about S