The Philippines: Past and Present (Volume 1 of 2) by Dean C. Worcester
page 35 of 662 (05%)
page 35 of 662 (05%)
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Aguinaldo himself made the charge in his "Reseña Verídica" [18]
in the following words:-- "In this interview Consul Pratt told me that because the Spaniards had not complied with the agreement of Biac-na-bató, the Filipinos had a right to renew their interrupted revolution and advised me to take up arms anew against Spain, assuring me that America would give the Filipinos the greatest advantages (mayores ventajas). Then I asked the Consul what advantages the United States would concede to the Philippines, suggesting, when I had the proper opening, the propriety of making an agreement in writing, to which the Consul answered that he would report, by telegraph, on the subject to Mr. Dewey, who was the chief of the expedition against the Philippines, and who had ample powers from President McKinley. "On the following day, between 10 and 12 in the morning, we again took up the matter, Consul Pratt saying that the admiral had answered my inquiry by saying that the United States would at least recognize the independence of the Philippine government under a naval protectorate, but that there was no necessity to put it in writing, as the words of the admiral and the American consul were sacred and would be fulfilled, not being like those of the Spaniards, and finally, that the Government of North America was a very honourable Government, a very just and very powerful one." [19] On April 27, 1908, Pratt telegraphed the Secretary of State as follows:-- "General Aguinaldo gone my instance Hongkong arrange with Dewey coöperation insurgents Manila. |
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