The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-06-28

Nothing VIII Alter His Opinion
of AguinaldO.

Washington. June 28.-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 proceedings. concerning the
DrOffer made by the Spanish governor
general to surrender TO him. senator
Carnack called attention to the fact
that the press made it appear that ne
had said during the next "A hours RIter
the destruction of the Spanish feet on
May l. there had been several prcee-E'fS
of surrender on the part Of the COVER
nor. The admiral replied that he had
said that between May and August -
thu governor general had sent word to
him more than once that he would be
pleased to surrender to the navy. The
first prefer he said, was made in May
through the English consul and subse-
quent prOffers were made through the
Belgian consul. At the time the ad-
miral admitted. Aguinaldo had begun
operations around Manila and was
working toward the city.
Taking up the thread of the investi-
cation where it was dropped yesterday
Senator Carmack asked the witness If
all the trouble in the Philippines had
been due TO AguiHaldO.
Il won't say that" the admiral re-
Piled but" he continued, Il viii re-
peat that if we had had 5000 troops at
Manila on May I, the city could have
been taken possession Of and We would
have had at least for the time, no trou-
BILE with the natives. They were our
friends then"
In reply to other questions put by
Senator Carmack. concerning Agui-
naldo, the admiral said:
II think you are making too much out
of Aguinaldo. He was a mere dgurehead
and was surrounded by stronger men
than himself. Mabini was one Of these
and Cen Luna, whom he had killed,
was another"
Replying to another question the ad-
said general rpn0rf
throughout the east that in 1897 Aguin-
aldo had betrayed his people to the
5paniards for money. Nor did he re-
member that this report had been de-
MED by American officers in the Phil
ippines. Among other officers quoted in
this connection was Gen. Greene and
the admiral called attention to the fact
that Gen Greene had not given his
authority If" he said "AgOnCillO
told him I 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 AIalolos like
a prince. He had nothing when he
landed in Manila and could have pro-
cured the means for this OStentauOn IN
no other way He began Immediately
after arrival to take every dollar in
sight Tt may be ungrateful in me to
state that fact. but it is true that he
sent cattle to me-herds of them-fOr
the ships. The stock was taken from
the Philippine people"
was any statement made OF this
circumstance at the time2"
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 or
SANITATION and had to be fed and cloth
ed He did as many have done-he
made the country support him"
Did you regard that proceeding as
pillage and loOt2"
r-T1 q
instance. I took all the coal in sight,
but I 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
Senator carmack-"You did not OBJ
ject at that time2
Admiral Dewey-''ryo. but he soon got
beyond me"
number of questions were asked in
regard to statements made by Generals
Greene Bell, and others, but the wit
ness asked to be excused from CRITICS
ing officers 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. ThereupOn the admiral said
ne was very glaC' and Senator Car
mack said he knew of no such rule
but he supposed he would have to sub
nit The admiral added that no opin-
Ions by others would change his own
opinion of Aguinaldo.
senator Carma ck-'-Ihen is that a
fact that you took a man to Manila 10
be leader Of the native people who had
but recently betrayed those people for
Admiral Dewey-"I think that would
have made no difference; the country
was under a reign of terror"
Then YOU wanted a man who could
organize the natives?"
No. I didn't want anyone. Aguinaldo
ana ms people We're forced upon me by
Consul Pratt and others"
Did the consul and others have any
power to force these people upon you2''
es, by constant pressure. I didn't
want the Filipino refugees because
did not believe that a half dozen of
them would do any good in view Of the
report that thousands would rise up in
insurrectiOn upon our arrival at Ma
Mia I thought they would play a very
Then you placed the country at the
mercy of man who would plumber and
rob Notwithstanding you had no need
Of his services 2'
This question the admiral declined to
answer and Senator Patterson asked If
AguinaldO had ever talked to him on
the basis of selling out to the Ameri-
cans. The admiral replied in the mega
tive 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.
was pretty sure as to where he had
COTTON the dollars, as he had not
brought them with him. said the ad-
miral and u thought that the fact that
he wanted gold was pretty good indica-
ton that he was getting ready to leave
That was what made me think that the
man was feathering his own nest, but it
was Qnly a suspicion"
Here the admiral again referred to Agui-
ualdQ's style at MalolOs and Senator Pat
terson asked If 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 proper
ty had been taken
do YOU think that is proner festiroo-
N.Y. asked Mr. Patterson. and Chairman
Beverage interfered with a strong protest