The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-06-27

to US when he demurred to moving out
of Cavite when our troops arrived"
You mean that they were thinking
more Of their own Independence than
of us2"
Yes
Admiral Dewey also testified concern
ing the arms sent to Manila by Aguin
aldo and Senator Dietrich asked the ad-
miral if "he did not believe that the
arms were purchased with money pre-
viously paid by Spain to secure peace
and that it was his intention to use the
money to foment another insurrection
for the purpose of gain.
The admirars reply was: Exactly
So"
Admiral Dewey. said he had forwarded
the proclamations of Aguinaldo to
Washington without reading them. THE
days and nights were not long enough
for my work at that time" said the ad-
niraL Since you have asked my
oDiniOn." said he, in answer to a ques-
ton, 7 viii say / believe AguinaldO
was there for gain, for loot, for money.
and that independence never entered his
head"
Senator Carmack asked him why he
furY ished sucf man arms and helped
organize his a y, to which the admiral
replied that "all was fair in war" and
there were no American troops in the
island to oppose the Spaniards. When
he assisted Aguinaldo he did not cali
him a robber and plunderer, but the
"insurgent leader"
4 say I think he was there for loot
and money" he continued.
Do you think he was there for any
thing else?" he asked. turning to Sem
ator Carmack
7 do responded the senator
*Wen, I swear I don't" declared the
admiral, emphatically.
Answering several questions the ad-
miral said he thought he knew Aguin-
aldo better than Generals Bell. Otis, or
any other officer, as he saw more of him
had not henn in Manila AZ hO11rS "a
fore l saw he was there for loot: he was
then taking everything he could lay his
hands on from everybody, and I expect
he got the lions share"
The examination ended rather alb
ruptly at 1 p. m. Senator Carmacl1
asked: You don't know Of single dis
honest act on the part of Aguinaldo, yet
you regard him as a thlef?3
Admiral Dewey said Il think [ shan't
answer that question" and, taking his
hat, left the room.
The examination of the admiral will
continue tomorrow
LATE THURSDAY TESTIMONY.
Washington. June Pin explanation
of his statement that the city of Manila
had surrendered on the day of the de-
struction of the Spanish fleet made be
fore the senate committee, Admiral
Dewey said that during the naval en-
gagement several guns had been fired
at him from the shore batteries and
that as soon as the Spanish squadron
was destroyed he steamed toward the
city, sending word to the governor that
if another shot was fired from the
shore he would fire on the city.
The governor replied" the admiral
went on. that if I did not fire on the
city the shore batteries would remain
silent. The Spanish flag was not taken
down, but white flags We're raised in to-
ken of surrender, and If had had with
me 5000 troops with which to occupy
the city could have taken it and held
a47 lar n fr
. 600 yards away and lay there q hours
During that time the governor general
sent word to me several times that he
wanted to surrender to ne-to the navy
I could not entertain his proposition Of
a formal surrender because of the lack
of troops to take possession of the
city"
The admiral said that after AguinaIdo
got his forces organized he occupied Ca
Vite. but when he dewey learned that
American troops were expected to ar
rive soon. he asked the F'ilipinos to re-
tire. They at first demuTed but I'LL
timately consented.
It was after this time on July 15
that Aguinaldo sent to him from Bacoor
his first proclamation of the independ-
ence of the asland.
THAT proclamation" said the admir-
al, was the first intimation I had ever
received Of the aspiration of the Phil
ippine people for an Independent gov
ernment. AguinaldO had never told me
that the independence of his people was
his aim, But when the proclamation
came I thought nothing of it. Indeed [
attached so little Importance to it that
1 did not cable it to Washington, but
left its transmissal to the nails
When Senator Lodge asked the ad-
miral: did you recognize the Philip
pine republic" he replied:
7 did not. I never gave it the slight
est recognition. I had no authority to
do so. and, beside did not consider it an
organized government. There was a
reign Of terror and the Philippine forces
were riding rough shod over the COM
munity, committing many acts Of
cruelty. I sent word to Aguinaldo that
he must treat his prisoners kindly, and
he replied that he would
What would have been the effect Of
permitting the Filipinos to enter Ma
Mia when our troops entered?"
The Spaniards were very fearful OF
| the result of such a course, and there
| fore they surrendered to me in advance.
/ That was all arranged, and there was
/ no need for the loss of a man in the
/ capture of the city. 1t was to be done
at signal, and no gun need have been
l Continued On Sixth Page)