The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-07-01
ADMIRAL DEWEY AGAIN BEFORE
Philippine committee
TOO MUCH OF ACUINALDO
He was a Mere Figure-Head-WhoI
PrOceedings is Discussion of the
InsurEent Leader-He Took the
Lions Share in Everything-Dewey
and Anderson Did Not Get Along
Very weII-Does Not Think the
Natives Capable Of SeIf-Govern-
ment.
Iuent.

Washington, June 2S-The third days
testimony given by Admiral Dewey be-
fore the senate committee on the Phil
ippines began with a reference to the
statement made by the admiral at the
first days proceeding concerning the
proffer made by the Spanish governor
general to surrender to him. The ad-
miral replied 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 con-
sui and subsequent proffers were made
through the Belgian consul. At that
time the admiral admitted, Aguinaldo
had begun operations around Manila
and was working towards the city
Senator Carmack asked the witness if
all the trouble in the Philippines had
been due to Aguinaldo.
a,s4-swont say that the admiral re-
piled, but" he continued, Il will repeat
that if We had had 5000 troops at Ma
Mia on May 1, the city could have been
taken possession of and we would have
had, at least for the time no trouble
with the natives. They were our friends
then"
In reply to other questions put by
Senator Carmack, concerning Aguinal-
do. the admiral said
Il think you are making too much of
Aguinaldo. He was a mere figurehead
and was surrounded by stronger men
than himself. Mabini was one of these
| and General Luna whom he had killed,
was another"
The admiral said it was the general
reDort throughout the east that in 1897
Aguinaldo had betrayed his people to
the Spaniards for money. Nor did he
remember that this report had been de-
MED by American officers, in the Phil
ippines.
why do you say that Aguinaldo took
the lions share of the property gather
ed by the insurgents?"
Because he was living at Malolos
like prince. He had nothing when he
landed at Manila and he could have
in no other way. He began immediate
ly after arrival to take every dollar in
sight. 1t may be ungrateful in me to
state the fact, but it is true that he
sent cattle to me-herds of them-for
the ships. The stock We're taken from
the Philippine people,
Continuing. his reply to this question
the admiral said the Philippine army
was then only a mob and without or
ganization and had to be fed and cloth
ed. He did as many others have done
he made the country support him."
Did you regard that proceeding as
pillage and loot?'
We'll, We didn't do that way. For
instance, 1 took all the coal in sight,
but paid for it,
Senator Patterson-Do you refer to
Aguinaldo taking property for the sup
port of the army as loot and pillage?
Admiral Dewey-That is one part of
it.
Senator Carmack-Then you took a
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 a reign of terror.
Then you wanted man to organize
the natives
mo; 1 did not want any one. Agui-
naldo and his people We're forced upon
me by Consul Pratt and others"
Then you placed the country at the
mercy of a man who would plunder and
rob notwithstanding you had no need
Of his services?'
This question the admiral declined to
answer and Senator Patterson took the
witness, asking if Aguinaldo had ever
talked to him on the basis Of selling out
the Americans.
The admiral replied in the negative
In answer to pressing questions the
admiral said he and General Anderson
did not agree very well, but he added
that he was there to tell what he knew
and was not responsible for what others
said.
.I don't like your questions" he said
to Senator Patterson, "and don't think
I ought to be required to answer them"
Senator Beveridge presiding, said the
admiral need not make replies. Both
Senators Beveridge and Dietrich asked
questions to bring out the fact that the
admiral upon further acquaintance with
the Filipinos felt they were not capa-.
bic of self government.
Th., admiral was then excused =. =