Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-06-27
MANILA'S CAPTURE.
Admiral Dewey Says City
Surrendered to Him.
Never Recognized Aguina|do's Gov
ernment--Little Use for Him.
FiIipiro s Very Ungrateful for Breaking
With Americans.

v.
concerning the early operations at Ma
Mia when he was in command of the
American naval forces in Philippine
waters. The admiral's statement con-
tributed an important addition to the
history of the surrender Of the city of
Manila This consisted of a positive
statement by the admiral, that the
city had been surrendered to him at
the time that the Spanish fleet was
sunk. and that when the city did sur
render it was in pursuance of a definite
understanding between him and the
Spanish government
The admiral was seconded by Senator
Lodge. He said he had first heard of
Aguinaldo and his friends about April
l. a month before the battle of Manila
bay. when it became certain that there
was to be a war
Il then heard there were a number
of Filipinos who desired to accompany
the fleet to Manila" he continued. All
of them We're young and earnest. did
not attach much Importance to them
or what they said. The day before we
left Hong Kong, l received a telegram
from Consul Gen. Pratt, located at
Singapore, saying that Aguinaldo was
at Singapore and would join me at
Hong Kong. l replied "All right; tell
him to come aboard" but l attached so
little Importance to the message that I
sailed without Aguinaldo and before he
arrived. There were then many prom
Uses as to what the Filipinos would do,
but | did not depend upon them. Con-
,,,,I
arrival and the firing of the first gun,
&c. 1000 Filipinos would rise. None did
arise. and l frequently joked him on
this point.
Admiral Dewey said the Spanish gov
eminent wanted to surrender the city
to him after the destruction of the fleet
and that he dewey would have ac-
cepted the formal surrender if he had
had 5000 troops to garrison the city. He
told about Aguinaldo's arrival, saying
he put him ashore and told him to or
ganizc his people. Aguinaldo came
back discouraged and wanted to go to
Japan. but the admiral told him to con-
tnuc his efforts.
The admiral said he paid no atten-
ton to AgunaldO's first proclamation
of the independence of the Flliplnos.
Speaking of Aguinaldo's military opera
tons. he said he did wonderfully in
whipping the Spanish.
Admiral Dewey said emphatically
that he never had recognized Aguin-
aldo's flag; hen ever called Aguinaldo
general but addressed him as Don
Emily" The admiral said he had never
given the Philippine republic the
slightest recognition, that he had no
authority to do SO, and di not consider
it an organized government. He said
the Spaniards were fearful of the Fill
pinos entering Manila and therefore
surrendered to him in advance. He
said there was no need for the los OF
man in the capture of the city. No
gun would have been fired hut for the
desire of the governor, who SAID ms
honor demanded that a few shots pe
fired. so 81 had to fire and kill few
people, said the admiral
But the Spaniards did not fire be-
cause he dewey had warned them
not to do so.
He did not believe the Filipinos could
have taken the city unaided, but the
Spaniards were greatly demoralized.
The admiral said he never received &
letter from Consul Pratt telling him ne
must cooperate with Aguinaldo. lie
added that Pratt wrote a number OF
foolish letters about that time.
Admiral Dewey said he had written
the navy department that the t1lipinos
were more capable of self-goVernmeht
than the Cubans, because he saw that
Congress contemplated giving lnde-
pcndence to Cuba and he knew tha'
the American people had little lnfor-
nation concerning the Filipinos.
Admiral Dewey said that during the
naval engagement several guns had been
fired at him from the shore and that rs
soon as the Spanish squadron was de-
stroycd he steamed toward the city. send
ing word to the governor that If another
shot was fired he would fire on the CITY.
The governor replied, the adfnlrt
went on. that if | did not fire upon th'
city the batteries would remain Sileht
The Spanish flag was not taken down bu'
whit" flags were raised. 1t was u SUI SUI
render and if | mad had with me 5ps
troops with which to occupy the city
could have taken II and held ii. Inc
governor general sent word to me sew
erai times that he wanted to surrendei
TO mc-to the navy. | could not enter
tain his proposition of a formal surreI'
der because of the Lack OF troops TO take
possession of the city
The admiral said that. July 10, ASui-
n3ldo sent to him at Baccoor, his hrs'
proclamation of the independence OF thi
Philippines.
That proclamation" said the admiral
was the first intimation | had received
OF the aspiration of the Philippine peopi.
Tor an independent government. ASli
naldo had never told me that the mae.
pehdence of his people was his ann bu,
wnen the proclamation came l though
nothing of it"
When Senator Lodge asked the ADM
RAJ: Did YOU recognize the republic!
ne replied; Il did not.
wv nat would have been the effect OF
rctIItuns the Philippine forces. 70 en-
y" IN; ;nanila when our troops entered!
ne SpanlardS were very fearful or tue
result OF such a course and therefore
my surrendered to me in advance.
When asked in ere ss-examination If ~
nau not repeated his original statement
TO me navy department that the Filip:-
nos were more capable of Independent
government than the Cubans, Admira
pewey replied in the affirmative, saying
dld, Aud | stil think So
senator Carmack called Admiral Dew
attention to the fact that he hae
sNen arms to AgIinaldo notwithstand
iIis me governor general had told him h
Wouiu surrender the city al any time ans
asked why he had done so in the face
OF that understanding The reply WI!
10 the effect that he considered a prope
military act.
His reason for taking possession of Sl