Evening journal., 1898-09-13
DEWEY IS WORRIED.
Wants a Cruiser and a Bat.
tleship Sent to Him.
SITUATION CONSIDERED CRITICAL
Last spanish Garrison In LuzoH Sur.
renhers-An Interview sith Agui-
nnIdo-He Says There VIII
BE No Trouble There.

MANILA. Sept. 1S--Rear Admiral
Dewey says he considers the situation
critical. 1t is understood he has asked
for an additional cruiser and battle
ship.
The Spaniards assert Germany VIII
take a coaling station here and that
Spain viii retain the remainder Of the
islands
The last Spanish garrisons at Ilocos
and Laguna have surrendered, and the
whole Of the island OF Luzon is in the
hands Of the insurgents. except Manila
and Cavite.
Agunaldo went 10 Malolos on Friday
He has announced his intention OF con-
vening an assembly OF the Filipinos on
Sept. 10 in order TO decide upon the
policy TO be adopted by the insurgents.
In a recent interview Agunaldo said
there were $1,000 insurgents armed with
rifles. He added he could raise 100 900
men. Indeed, the insurgent leader point
ed out, the whole population OF the Phil
ippine islands was willing to fight for
their independence.
Continuing, Aguinaldo said he had
1900 military prisoners. including 5000
In the vicinity Of Manila, besides civil
prisoners
government was now operating 2S prov
inces He asserted that on Aug they
elected delegates in numbers proper
tionate TO the population.
AS TO Americans. Aguinaido remarked
that he considered them as brothers
and that "the two sovereign republics
were allied against a common enemy"
When questioned as to whether the
future Filipino policy would be abso-
lutte independence Aguinaldo excused
himself from replying. Aguinaldo con-
tlnued:
1--WE have been fighting for lndepend-
ence for a long time. The natives who
profess TO favor annexation are insin-
cere. 1t is merely a ruse to ascertain
American views"
Asked II the Filipinos would object to
the retention Of Manila, Aguinaldo de-
clined 70 answer
Would the Fillpinos object to America
retaining coaling station II recognize
ing the independence Of the islands or
establishing a temporary protectorate
over them?
Aguinaldo again declined TO answer.
Pending the conclusion of the assem-
bly, Aguinaldo said he was confident
there would be no trouble between
America and the Filipinos
The insurgent leader denied having
received a request from General Otis
and Rear Admiral Dewey to withdraw
his troops to prescribed distance from
Manila and Cavite and he declined to
discuss the effect of such a request
Agulnaldo further asserted that he
had never conferred with the American
authorities since the capitulation OF Ma
Mia and that he had never authorized
the insurgents TO search or disarm
Americans crossing the lines.
He was closely questioned about last
Saturdays incident when the Pennsyl-
vanla troops proceeded to establish a
new outpost. The Fillpinos objected
and nearly precipitated hostllIties, or
dering the Americans to withdraw In 20
minutes. They issued ammunition and
intercepted the American re-enforce-
ments, Finally General Hale ordered
all the Pennsylvanians to advance, and
the rebels withdrew.
The local governor has explained that
the incident was a complete mistake
and has repudiated his subordnate's
action. Aguinaldo declared to your
correspondent that the Filipino who
made the trouble merely pretended to
be IAN officer and is entirely uncon-
nected with the insurgent army.
Aguinaldo complained that the Span
iards were disseminating false reports
for the purpose Of fomenting antag-
onism between the Filipinos and the
Americans"
The whole interview conveyed the inn
preston that Aguinaldo desires abso-
lutte independence. regards the mission
of the Americans here as accomplished
and expects their withdrawal. "iust MS
the French, with Lafayette, withdrew
after helping the Americans IN the war
Of independence. a war Of humanity"
Just now Aguinaldo maintains the
role Of extreme friendship.