Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-23
rh. rruth About AauInaIdo.

AEuinaldo was recognized as the leader
OF the Filipino insurgents in the contest
with Spain before Admiral Dewey appear
ed in Manila harbor and demolished the
Spanish ships. Spain made feeble resist
ance and the American victory was COM
pIete. Admiral Dewey proved himself
a naval captain OF renown and consum-
mate ability.
When Spain retired then the admiral
and Aguinaldo were face TO face as TO the
disposition that should be made OF the
Filipino country.
Il Is said By some that Admiral Dewey
did not Ofrer to Agulnaldo any assurance
OF the ultimate freedom OF the Philippines
as an independent government, and by
Others II Is said that Aguinaldo became
thoroughly satisfied that his people would
be granted all they were seeking TO wrest
from Spain before Admiral Dewey crossed
the Pacific ocean during the Spanish
American war.
OF course there could be honest mis-
takes made. in discussing the future Of
Aguinaldo's countrymen. growing out Of
the difficulties OF the two languages and
the Impressions made upon the minds OF
the little brown men OF the Orient thereby.
Whatever Admiral Dewey VIII tell US
OF his part in the matter We may be
sure he viii believe 10 be the correct
statement. but somewhere and somehow
Aguinaldo and his followers were changed
from friends TO enemies OF the American
people. He led the insurgents az that is
q proper term for a people intent on win
ming their civil and religious liberty from
their oppressors) until he was himself
captured BY General Funston and con-
fined as a prisoner OF war.
1t now transpires that Aguinaldo was
decoyed into Imprisonment by the use OF
forged letters. and the military authorities
defend their employment OF forged let
tiers as being one OF the legitimate meth
DDS OF modern warfare.
IL Is quite probable that forgery Is fire.
ouently used by some military men. but
there must be a ge0ral desire among all
fair and honorable soldiers to make for
gerry a dernier resort. II. indeed. IL can be
shown 10 be proper. even In exceptional
cases. as now claimed.
II would also appear that the Filipino
ehieftain has a substantial grievance in
the employment OF methods which he
disdained 10 use for himself.
To compress the whole matter in a nut
shell this great big. rich American nation
jumped on a puny little one with both
feet. ali the time hattering Aguinaldo
with professions OF friendship. which were
neither honest or necessary. under the
prevailing conditions OF the time Gen
the fOrger. but General Macarthur vigor-
ously disputes the Funston claim. He as
sumes all responsibility OF trapping Aguin-
aldo By means OF forgery. II must be a
day of small men when the great Amer
fcan army which costs the country mill
lion Of dollars each week n the Philip
pines could not conquer poor Aguinaldo
IN a more honorable way. IL looks dis
reputable 70 those OF US who are heartily
ashamed OF the whole proceeding.
And IL Is further disclosed that ten
year old boys were brave enough 10 carry
arms and die like Filipino men in defense
OF their homes and native land
Just think Of the boys you know who
are ten years old and fancy these chill
dren as Filipino soldiers. TO be met Dy
Krag muskets and Calling guns in the
hands Of our stalwart American troops!
The spirit that moved these little boys
will not be crushed out by forged letters
Of decOy or a general order TO massacre
the inhabitants above ten years old.
So far as I am able, 10 discover We have
been rushing from bad 70 worse since this
start for conquest was made and IL the
United States has reputation as a brave
nation IL must certainly be set down, in
view OF all these tragic happenings as q
brutal and unfair one. I'd rather be in
Aguinaldo's shoes than I'm Funston's or
MacArthurfs