"
Note that there is here absolutely not one word of any promise
of independence made to Aguinaldo by Pratt or any one else. Is it
conceivable that Aguinaldo in describing "the negotiations which
took place during his absence in Singapore with the American Consul
of the English Colony" would, by any chance, have failed to inform
his associates in Hongkong of such an extraordinary and fortunate
occurrence as the promising by Mr. Pratt and Admiral Dewey that the
United States would recognize Philippine independence?
Sandico [33] thought that Aguinaldo ought to go, for--
"From conferences which he had with the Admiral of the American fleet
and with the American Consul in this colony, he believed that under
present conditions it was absolutely necessary for the President
to go to the Philippines, since, according to the American Consul,
Manila had been taken by said fleet, and a provisional government was
now being formed in that capital. The intervention of the President
in the formation of that government is undoubtedly essential, since
his prestige, which everybody recognizes, would evidently prevent
dissensions among the sons of the country, and it would be possible
thereby to obtain a perfect organization both for the military and
civil evolution of that country.
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