THE PiriLIPl'IXE ISLANDS AM) THEIR EXMROXMEXT 11 



tlieir labors and for tlie wisdom of tlieir i-ei>ort. If tlie nietlu)ds they 

 recommend are followed closel}', there is little doubt that the ends 

 desired will soon be accomplished. 



AGL'INALDO AND HIS POWEIJ 



Of Agiiinaldo I can say that he is undoul)tedly a man of much 

 executive capacity. He has also a degree of personal magnetism, 

 mingled with sufhcient iiersistency, energy, and shrewdness to l)e a 

 successful leader of his people. He does not, however, impress one 

 as possessing stability of character. It is difhcult, in conversing with 

 him, to catch and hold his eye. His glance could be called shifting. 

 He dresses with remarkable taste and neatness, and makes a favor- 

 able impression on those who meet him, but he does not inspire con- 

 fidence among foreigners. Were temptations to i)ersonaI power re- 

 moved from him, I believe that he would be a greater influence for 

 good than for wrong, but under ordinary circumstances his personal 

 ambition controls his motives and methods. Having known him 

 first at Hongkong, before he returned to the Philippines, and later 

 at Cavite, Bakor, and ]\Ialolos,I speak from extended acquaintance, 

 in which 1 was al)le to note carefull}' his characteristics. Having 

 been familiar with what passed Ijetween him and Admiral Dewey, 

 and having discussed the matter repeatedly with ])oth of them, I can 

 say, in utmost frankness and honesty, that Admiral l)ewe.y never, by 

 written or spoken word, gave Aguinaldo any assurances whatsoever 

 of indej»endence. He simply and only treate<l him as a friend fight- 

 ing a common enemy. Aguinaldo, however, with natural shrewd- 

 ness, saw tiie o[)portunity to impress ui)on his peoi)le the fact that he 

 was supported by the American Government, and so told them ; other- 

 wise it would have been diMicult to secure their general support in 

 forming a government and in mobilizing an army. This fact was often 

 impressed upon me by the l^'iiipino leaders who were not entirely in 

 .sympathy with Aguinaldo, l)Ut understood his metluxls and jilans. 



When men declare that we are shooting independence into the 

 Filipinos, or an; establishing a. governiiiciit withniit the cousfiit of 

 the gov(!rne(l, they must bear in mind, lirst, tiiat Aguinaldo's govern- 

 uu'.i\i was estaiilished almost entirely by the use or show of force, in 

 that he organi/f(l an army at ('a\ite and then sent garrisons (o all 

 important points, from Aparri on the north to Zamlioanga on the 

 south, everywhere impressing the people, who hail no modern arms^ 

 M'ilh his strength and conipfjling them to acknowjfil'jT his authority ; 



