42/56 The acts of cruelty which were brought to my notice were hardly credible. I sent word to Aguinaldo that he must treat his prisoners kindly, and he said he would." He has further testified that he never as much as heard of independence until the appearance of Aguinaldo's proclamation of June 15, 1898:-- "_Admiral Dewey_.... Then when I heard that our troops were coming I asked him to withdraw his troops from Cavite and make room for our men. He demurred at this, but finally withdrew and established headquarters across the bay at a place called Bacoor, from which place on the 15th of June he sent me a proclamation declaring the independence of the Philippines. Was that the first? |