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, for strict reserve is required until those which are being sent arrive at their destination.” [51]

The reason for preserving such secrecy relative to this document until it could reach its destination and work its harm is of course obvious.  Its statements were so outrageously false that they would have been instantly and authoritatively contradicted had it been issued seasonably at Manila.

The truth is that Aguinaldo’s claim that he had been promised independence was a gradual growth.  Let us trace it.

On May 21, he wrote a circular letter to “My dear brother,” inviting the recipients and their companions to meet him at once, and arrange the best way to entrap all the enemy in their homes.

In this he says that he has promised the American admiral that they will “carry on modern war” and adds:  “Even if a Spaniard surrenders, he must be pardoned and treated well, and then you will see that our reputation will be very good in all Europe, which will declare for our independence; but if we do not conduct ourselves thus, the Americans will decide to sell us or else divide up our territory.  As they will hold us incapable of governing our land, we shall not secure our liberty, rather the contrary; our own soil will be delivered over to other hands.” [52]