The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-09-14
CRITICAL
Rear Admiral Dewey Desires
an Increase of His Ma
val Forces.
Insurgents Hold the Island of
Luzon Except Manila
and Cavite.

MANILA, Sept 13.-Rear Admiral Dewey
says he considers the situation critical. 1t
is understood he has asked for an additional
cruiser and a battleship.
The Spaniards assert that Germany will
take coaling station here and that Spain
will retain the remainder of the islands.
The last Spanish garrisons at Ilocos and
Laguna have surrendered and the whole
island of Luzon is in the hands of the in
surgents, except at Manila and Cavite.
Aguinaldo has gone to Lelollos. He has
announced his intention of converting an
assembly of the Flipinos Sept. Is in
order to decide upon the policy to be adopt
ed by the insurgents.
The correspondent here of the Associated
Press has had interview with Aguinaldo,
who said there were 81, 600 insurgents armed
with rifles. He added he could ~aise &c., 800
men. Indeed, the insur.ent leaier pointed
out, the whole population OF the Philip
pine islands was willing to fight for their
independence.
Continuing Agunaldo said he had 5000
military prisoners, including 5000 in the vi
cinity of Manila, besides civil prisoners.
Later Aguinaldo said the provisional gov
eminent was now operating IS provinces.
He asserted that on Aug. they elected
delegates in numbers proportionate to the
population.
AS to the Americans. Aguinado remarked
that he considered them as brothers and
that THE two sovereign republics We're al
lied against common enemy"
When questioned to whether the flu
turc Filipino policy would be absolute in
dependence. Agunaldo excused himself from
replying and asked what America intends
to do.
The correspondent being unable to answer
this question: Agunaldo continued
FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE.
1--WE have been fighting for independence
for long time. The natives who profess
to favor annexation are insincere 1t is
merely ruse to ascertain American
views
Asked if the Filipinos would object to the
retention of Manila, Aguinaldo declined to
answer.
Would the Flipinos object 20 the Ameri-
cans retaining a coaling station if recog-
niZing the independence of the island. or
establishing a temporary pIotectorate over
them?'
AguinaldO again refused to answer
Pending the conclusion of the assembly
Aguinaldo said that there would be no
trouble between Americans and the Fill
pinos.
The insurgent leader denied having re-
ceiVed request from Gen. Otis and Res
Admiral Dewey to withdraw his troops to
a prescribed distance from Manila and Cav
tie and he declined to discuss the effect of
such a request
Aguinaldo further asserted that he had
never confided with the American author
tiles since the capituat ton of Manila. and
that he has never authorized the insurgents
to search and disarm Americans crOssino
the line.
SATURDAYS INCIDENT
The correspondent closely questioned him
about last Saturdays incident when the
Pennsylvania troops proceeded to establish
new outpost. The Filipinos objected and
nearly precipitated hostlities, ordering the
Americans to withdraw in twenty
minutes. They issued ammunition
and intercepted the American reinforce
ments. Finally Gen. Hale ordered all
the Pennsylvanians to advance and
the rebels withdrew. The local governor
has explained that the incident was COM
plete mistake, and has repudiated his sub.
ordinates' action. Aguinaldo declared to
this correspondent that the Filipino. who
made the trouble, merely pretended to be
an officer. and is entirely unconnected with
the 1nsurgent army. Aguinaldo complained
mat the Spanlards were disseminating false
reports for the purpose of fomenting an
tagonism between the Filipinos and the
Americans.
The whole interview conveyed the i'm.
preston that Aguinaldo desires absolute in.
dependence, regards the mission of the
Americans mere as accomplished. and ex-
poets their withdrawal Just as the French
With Lafayette withdrew after helping the
Americans in the war of independence. a
of humanity'
Just now Aguinaldo maintains the role ~
extreme friendship