The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-29
AGUINALDO A FIGUREHEAD Surrounded by Stronger
 Men Than He. THE TESTIMONY OF DEWEY FilipInos are Not Capable of
 Self-g0vernment. Had He Trusted Them He Would Have Received the Surrender
 of the City of Manila
 from Spanish.
THE TESTIMONY OF DEWEY

Washington, June 2s-The third days testimony given by Admiral Dewey be- lore 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.
 Senator Carmack called attention to the lact that the press reports made IT ap- near that he had said that during the next "A hours after the destruction Of the Spanish fleet on May l there had been ,everal proffers of surrender on the part of the governor.
 The Admiral replied that he had said that between May and August 1S 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 subse- quently proffers were made through the Belgian consul. At the time, the Ad- miral admitted, AguinaIdo had begun op- erations around Manila and was working towards the city.
 Taking up the thread of the investiga- tion where it was dropped yesterday. Senator Carmack asked the witness 1T all the trouble in the Philippines hao been due to Aguinaldo.
 "I won't say that" the Admiral re- piled but" he continued, "1 will repeat that if we had had 5000 troops at Ma nila 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 Lhen."
 Making Too Much Ado.
 In reply to other questions put by Sen ator Carrnack. concerning Aguinaldo. the Admiral said:
 T think you are making too much Of AguinaIdo He was mere hgurehead end was surrounded by stronger men chan himself. Mabini was ono ot those. and General Luna, whom he had killed. was another.
 Replying to another question the Ad- miral said it was the general report throughout the east that in 1897 Aguinal- 10 had betrayed his people to the Span lards for money Nor did he remember that this report had been denied by American officers in the Philippines. Others officers quoted in this connection was General Greene and the Admiral
  Greene had not given his authority. "If," he said. "Aguoncillo told him, don't think the authority was good.' Why do you say that Aguinaldo took the lions share of the property gathered by the insurgents?"
 Lived Like a Prince.
 Because he was living at Malolos like a prince. He had nothing when he land ed at Manila and he could have procured the means for this ostentation in no other way. He began immediately after ar- irving to take every dollar in sight. It may be ungrateful in me to state the fact, but 1t is true that he sent cattle to me-herds of them-for the ships. The stock was taken from the Philippine peo- pie.
 was any statement made of this cir cumstance at the time?"
 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 organization and had to be fed and clothed.
 He did as many have done-he made the country support him.
 Did you regard that proceeding as pillage and loot?"
 well we did not do that way, . For instance. took all the coal in sight but l paid for it
  AslIinaldo taking property for the sup port of the army as loot and pillase? Admiral Dewey-That is one part of 1t. Senator Carmack-You did not object at that time?
 Got Beyond Dewey.
 Admiral Dewey-No, but he soon got beyond me.
 number of questions were asked in regard to statements made by Generals kttf hn Uyif asked to be excused from criticising offl- cers 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 he was very glad" and Senator Carmack said ne knew of no such rule, but he supposed he would have to submit. The Admiral added that no opinions by others would change his own opinions of Aguinaldo. Senator Carmack-Then is 1t a fact that you took a man to Manila to be g leader of the native people who had but recently betrayed these people for 6 bribe?
 Admiral Dewey-I think that would have made no difference as the country was under a reign of terror.
 Then you wanted a man who could organize the natives?"
 No I didn't want any one. Aguinaldc and his people were forced upon me bS consul Pratt and others"
 Did the Consul and others have any mower to force these people on your"
 .'Yes. by constant pressure. I didnt want the Filipiuo refugees because I diC not believe that half dozen of then VI rild do any good in view of the repor that thousands would rise up in insur rection on our arrival at Manila. thought they would play very smal part"
 .Then you placed the country at thu mercy of man who would plunder and rob notwithstanding you had no need oi his strvices?'
 This question the Admiral declined tc answer and Senator Patterson took the witness asking if Aguinaldo had evei