The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1902-07-03
'bEl|11lES AGU|NALD0.s
~, sss- 5s -. n ssssss
Admiral Dewey, IN His Testimony,
Declares the Filipino Was a
Mere Figurehead.
LIVED HIea on INSURGENTS PROPERTY


Washington, June 30.-The third
days testimony given by Admiral
Dewey before thesenate committee on
the Philippines began with refer
ence to the statements made by the
Admiral at the first days proceeding
concerning the proffer made by the
Spanish governor general to surrender
to him. Senator Cormack called atten-
ton to the fact that the press reports
made it appear that he had said that
during the next "a hours after the de-
struction of the Spanish feet on May
/ there had been several protfers to
surrender on the part of the governor
The admiral replied that he had said
that between May and. August 10 the
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. At the
time, the admiral admitted, Aguinaldo
had begun operations around Manila
and was working toward the city.
Taking up the thread of the inyesti-
CATION where it was dropped Friday
Senator Carmack asked the witness il
all the trouble in the Philippines had
been due to Aguinaldo.
Ell won't say that" the admiral replied.
.'but," he continued. 81 will repeat that II
we had had 5000 troops at Manila on May
l. the city could have been taken posses
sion 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 Sem
ator Carmack concerning Aguinaldo. the
admiral said:
Aeuinaldo. He was mere fgurehead, ana
was surrounded by stronger men than nim-
self, Mahini was one Of these, and Gen.
Luna, whom he had killed, was another:
Replying to another question the ad-
miral said it was the general report
had betrayed his people to the Spaniafos
for money.
Nor did he remember that this report
had been denied by American officers In
the Philippines. Among other officers
quoted in this direction was Gen. Green,
fact that Gen. Green had not given his
authority. ST." he said, "Agoncillo TOLD
him, Il 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 Malolos like
prince He had nothing when he landed
at Manila, and he could have procured
the means for this ostentatton In no other
way He began Immediately after arrival
to take every dollar in sight. It 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 were
taken from the Philippine people,"
WAS any statement made of this cir
cumstance at the time %
mo: that is war. as you know"
Filipino Army q Mob.
Continuing his reply to this question the
admiral said the Philippine army was then
only a mob, and without organization. and
had to be fed and clothed. "He did as
many have 6one-ke made the country
support him."
Ibid you regard the proceeding as pill
lage and loot?"
s.Well, we didn't do that way. For in
stance, took all the coal in sight, but
paid for IT."
Senator Patterson-Do you refer to Agui-
naldo taking property for the support of
the army as loot and pillage?
Admiral Dewey-That is one part Of it.,
Senator Carmack-You didn't object at
that time?
Admiral Dewey-No, but he soon got be-
yond me-
objects to Criticising Army Omcers-
A number Of questions were asked in re-
gard to statements made by Gems. Green,
Bell, and others, but the witness asked To-.
be excused from criticlsing officers of the
army, and the chair Senator BeveTidget
said that he would not be required to an
swer 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 supposed he would have to sub
NIT. The admiral added that no opinions
by others would change his own opinion
of Aguinaldo.
Senator Carmack-Then is that fact
leader of the native people who had but
recently betrayed these people for bribeT
Admiral Dewey-I think that would, have
made no difference; the country was under
q reign Of terror.
ssThen you wanted man who could orr
ganize the natives?'
NO. didn't want anyone Aguinaldo and
| his people were forced upon me by Consul
Pratt and others.''
power to force these people upon you?''
Eyes, by constant pressure. didn't want
the Filipino refugees, because didn't be-
| lieve that half dozen Of them would do,
| any good, in view of the report that thou
sands would rise up in insurrection upon
our arrival at Manila. I thought they
would play very small part"
''Then you placed the country at the
mercy of man who would plumber and
rob. notwithstanding you had no need Of
his services 2" r.
This question the admiral declined to
| answer, and Senator Patterson took the
witness, asking If Aguinaldo had eyer.
talked 10 him on the basis of selling out
| to the Americans. The admiral replied In