hed
in the _Springfield Republican_, so far as it relates to reported
conversations with me, or actions of mine, is a tissue of falsehood. I
never, directly or indirectly, promised the Filipinos independence. I
never received Aguinaldo with military honors, or recognized or
saluted the so-called Filipino flag. I never considered him as an
ally, although I did make use of him and the natives to assist me in
my operations against the Spaniards." [48]

As Dewey's allegations flatly contradict those of Aguinaldo, we
must choose between the two. While I have no doubt as to where
the choice will fall, I will now submit some additional matter of
interest. Let us first consider the history of the "Resena Veridica"
in which Aguinaldo makes the charges above quoted. On September 12,
1899, Buencamino wrote of it to Apacible in Hongkong, saying:--

"This work is entitled 'Resena Veridica de la Revolucion Filipina' in
which Don Emilio relates in detail his acts with Admiral Dewey. It has
been distributed to the Consuls and you are ordered to reprint it there
translated into English and send some copies to the United States,
even though only a thousand, if you deem it advisable. Send copies
also to Europe, Senor Agoncillo taking charge of the publication. If
the Agent you may have selected for the United States should still be
there, it would be advisable for him to take a copy of the pamphlet
with him for its publication.

"This is an order of the Government which I take pleasure in
transmitting to you for due execution." [49]

But there was a change of heart about giving the pamphlet to the
consuls, for under date of September 30 Buencamino wrote:--

"We have not distributed them here in order that Otis may not
counteract the effects that we desire to produce with this publication,
through his usual machinations. Nor do we believe it advisable to
make this pamphlet public in those colonies before your arrival in
the United States." [50]

To this letter he added in cipher the following postscript to Pablo
Ocampo, in charge of Aguinaldo's correspondence in Manila:--

"At last moment--Nota bene:

"Don't deliver any copy of the 'Resena Veridica' to the Consuls,
even though it was so directed in the beginning of the letter. All
except one, which is for you, will be sent to Hong-kong, Don Pedro de
la Vina being bearer of the same, as also of the other documents. The
copy intended for you is neither to be divulged nor published,