Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-29
FILIPINO ARMY ONLY A MOB
Without Organization When Spanish Sur
rendered the Islands to Americans.
AGUINALDOs tootING CAMPAIGN
Admiral Says He Had No MONEY when
He Went 20 islands, but
Grew Rich in
PiI1aging.

the senate committee on the Philippines
began with a reference to the statement
made by the admiral at the FIRST days
proceeding concerning the prefer made by
the Spanish governor general to surrender
TO him.
Senator Carmack called attention to the
fact that the press reports made 1t ap-
pear that he had said that during the next
twenty-four hours after the destruction Of
the Spanish feet on May 1 there had been
several proifers OF surrender on the part
Of the governor The admiral replied that
he had said that between May 1 and August
10 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 sub
sequent proffers we're made through the
Belgian consul. At the time, the admiral
admitted, Aguinaldo had begun operations
around Manila and was working toward the
city.
Taking up the thread Of the investigation
where It was dropped yesterday Senator
Carmack asked the witness II all the trou-
BILE in the Philippines had been due to
Aguinaldo. II won't say that the ad-
miral replied, but" he continued, II will
repeat that IL we had had 5000 troops at
Mdullh on May L the city COulQ nave D6eu
taken possession Of and we would have had,
at least for the time, no trouble with the
natives. They we're our friends then"
Making Too Much of AGuinaldO.
In reply to other questions put by Senator
Carrnack, concerning Aguinaldo. the ad-
miral said: "I think you are making too
much OF Aguinaldo. He was a 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 throughout
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 oficers
In the Philippines. Among other officers
quoted In this connection was General
Greene and the admiral called attention to
the fact that General Greene had not given
his authority. IT, he said, Agoncillo told
him, l don't think the authority was good"
why do you say that Aguinaldo took
the lions share Of the property gathered
by the insurgents?"
Because he was living at Malolos like q
prince. He had nothing when he landed in
Manila and 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 ungrsteful
in me to state the facts, but It Is true that
he sent cattle to me-herds Of them-for the
ships. Stock were taken from the Philip
pine people"
was any statement made Of this circum-
stance at the timer" .
mo; that is war, as you know"
Philippine Army Only a Mob.
Continuing his reply to this question, the
admiral said the PHILIPPINE army was then
only a mob and without organization and
had to. be fed and clothed. He did as
many have done-he made the country sup
port him"
Did you regard that proceeding as pill
laEe and loot?"
"well. we didn't do that way. For in
stance, I took all the coal in sight, but I
paid for IT,"
Senator Patterson-Do you refer to Agui-
naldo 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.
a numDer OF QuehIloub were ASKED In re-
gard to statements made by Generals
Greene, Bell and others, but the witness
asked to be excused from criticising ON
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
Fuch rule, but he supposed he would have
to submit. The admiral added that nc
opinions by others would change his OWL
opinions of Aguinaldo.
AsuinaIdo Forced Upon Dewey.
Senator Carmack-Then is It a fac. that
you took a man to Manila to be a leader Of
the native people who had but recently be-
trayed those people for a bribe7
dmiral Dewey-I think that would have
made no difference; the country was under
A reign Of terror.
Then you wanted a man who could or
ganize the nativee7"
mo. l didn't want anyone. Aguinaldc
and his people we're forced upon me by Con.
sui Pratt and others.
Ibid the consul and others have AM
power to force these people upon your"
Yes, by constant pressure. didn't wan
the Filipino refugees because ] didn't be-
lieve that a half dozen of them would d.
any good in view of the report that thou.
sands would rise up in insurFection upol
our, arrival at Manila. l thought the!
would play q very small part"
Then you placed the country at tn,
mercy Of a man who would plumber an
rob. Notwithstanding you had no need o
his services?"
Declines to Answer.
, This question the admiral declined to an
swer and Senator Patterson took the wit
ness. asking II Aguinaldo had ever talke,
/, to him on the basis Of selling out to tn
Americans. The admiral replied In tn
negative and Mr.. Patterson then asked 1
the Philippine leader had ever asked hin
for money. The reply was that Agulnald
had asked him to exchange gold for Mexi
can dollars.
IT was pretty sure as to where he ha
gotten the dollars, as he hadn't brough
= them with him." said the admiral, and
a thought that the fact that he wanted gol
A was pretty good indication that he Wa
a getting ready to leave.
1 THAT was what made me think that tn
man was feathering his own nest. but
was only a suspicion"
h Here the admiral again referred to Az
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