Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-09-24
AGUINALDo IN Peril.
Philippines Insurgent Leader Mar
rowly Escaped Poisoning.
STEWARD TASTED POISONED FOOD

And Immediately Dropped Dcad-In-
surgcnts Actively Recruiting, Fenr-
Ing IL Return to Spanish Domination.
Aguinaldo's Friendly Message.
Manila, Sept. 2O.-The Republica Fill
pima asserts that an attempt was made
10 poison Aguinaldo last Friday night.
A steward. it is alleged, saw Spanish
prisoner who had been allowed his free
dom make n movement which ap-
peared like tampering with a bowl of
soup intended for Aguinaldo, where
upon the steward tasted spoonful of
the soup and fell dead.
Eleven Franciscan friars are alleged
to have been engaged in the conspiracy.
The populace, it is further said, at
tempted to lynch all the Spanish pris-
oners, but Aguinaldo interviewed.
At Saturdays session of the national
assembly, 1t appears Aguinaldo was alb
sent, but his representative related the
story of the outrage to the members.
who unanimously adopted the chair
mans proposal that they all so to
Aguinaldo's house. express sympathy
WIFI ulll anu NPOiA
his escape.
During the evening special thanks
giving service was held in the church
at Malolos. Soup intended for Aguin
aldo is now subjected. it is stated. to
chemical analysis before being pre-
scented to the insurgent leader, and the
Spanish prisoners are kept closely con-
fined.
The insurgents, urged by constant
rumors of the intention of America to
re-establish Spanish rule in the Archi-
pelago continue actively recruiting
their army. Hundreds from Manila are
enlistinG daily and troops are being
drilled everywhere. Great diligence is
exhibited in initiating the formation
and manual, particularly in volley fir
ing. The intrenchments in certain po
sitions are being strengthened. and 4
vigilant line of picliets is kept out
side the suburbs At the same time
the attitude of the insurgents is much
more friendly than it was before the
evacuation.
Several thousand rifles have recently
been landed and four new MaXims have
also been received. The provincial
leaders are paying into the insurgen:
treasury certain portion of the fund
captured from converts. processing to
reserve the remainder for the payment
OF their troops by this means they
keep practically independent of the
central authority and preserve the in
tegrlty of their own command. A gen.
eral occupying one rich province sent
to Aguinaldo S35 900 in cash last week
The agitation among the insurgents
is stimulated by the clerical party,
which uses every effort to influence the
natives against American occupation.
Evidence to this effect is absolutely
trustworthy. although Archbishop Do
zal and other prominent ecclesiastics
strenuously deny all knowledge of such
action and solemnly disclaim personal
participation in 1t.
Strikes in all industries are becom-
ing more extensive daily. and the labor
question is fast growing serious. The
Americans unwisely continue to pay
nearly three times the usual wages,
causing discomfort to spread rapidly
among every class of workmen. All
manufacturers are much hampered;
the tramways are frequently stopped
and railway operations are seriously
crippled and discontinuance of the
service is threatened. The strikers nat
urally drift into the insurgent ranks,
and consequently labor disturbances
are not discouraged by the leaders.
The news from Washington that the
battleships Oregon and Iowa have been
ordered here and that 10000 tons of coal
would be shipped Immediately is inter-
preted by the Americans as proof of
the intention of the government to
hold the Island of Luzon.
To set at rest the oft repeated stories
of insurgents opposition 10 the Ameri-
can forces in the Philippines Aguinaldo
has given out the following signed
statement for publication in the Uni
ted States:
1.-THE Filipino government desires to
inform the American government and
people that the many rumors circu-
lated regarding the strained relations
between the Filipino and American
forces are base. malicious ISLANDERS OF
the enemy to both parties. are without
any truth and are circulated for the
purpose of prejudicng the appeal of
the Filipinos for their release from
the oppression and cruelty of Spain.
The relations Of our people and yours
have been and will continue to be of
the most friendly nature. and we have
withdrawn our forces from the suburbs
of Manila as an additional evidence OF
our confidence in the great American
republic"