Fair play., 1898-09-24
SET UP A GOVERNMENT.
The Philippine Insurgents Under AgutS
naldo Inaugurate National Assem-. !
bly, with Great Enthusiasm.

Manila, Sept. 1.-THE Philippine na@
fional assembly was inaugurated at
Malolos Thursday with great enthust-
lsm. There were thousands of vis-
itors from the provinces and great
display was made. Aguinaldo, at nine
u clock in the morning, entered the
hall of the convent recently occupied
by the Spanish local government. 1t
is an extremely plain room, adorned
only with some religious pictures.
The insurgent leader was in evening
dress according 20 the Spanish Gus
tom.
Aguinaldo Received with Cheers-Cries or
"vIva America"
Aguinaldo, who was received with
cheers and also with cries of Viva
America" by the large crowd of ma
tives inside and outside the hall, read
Il decree convening the members. who
included several Spaniards. He next
read a message eulogizing the army
md thanking the friendly natives
which had set the historical example
Of liberty and had assisted a down.
trodden race.
Invoked the Spirit of Independence.
Continuing, Aguinaldo urge ntly and
eloquently exhorted the assembly to
| follow the noblest principles" and in
voked the "spirits of the martyred
FilipinOs."
The assembly then adjourned for the
5ay.
Accused Spanish Delegate of Attempting
to Undermine tho Constitution.
A Spanish delegate suggested that
business be resumed in the afternoon,
but a Filipino objected and accused
the Spaniard of attempting to un-
Ierrline the constitution. To this the
opaniard replied that he was sincere
republican and that his only desire
was the welfare of :he country. There
upon the Filipino apologiZed and the
proceedings terminated.
During the afternoon many Amerl"
.ans and Europeans arrived and Agui-
laido was kept busy receiving visitors,
including the American consul.
Believes Their Freedom Attained.
The correspondent had private in
.erview with Aguinaldo. who is ex-
.remely unwilling to compromise him
self with the natives. He said that u
majority of the Filipinos had been
struggling for freedom fer years and
centuries, and that they now believe
hat object has been obtained.
Knows Nothing Of Autonomous Systems.
Aguinaldo professed entire ignorance
Of the autonomous systems in vogue
n the British colonies, of prOtectOrates
snd of American state autonomy. He
said he was unable to understand the
idea, and only understood absolute
independence Personally, he be-
lieved protectorate for the Philip
pine islands was necessary, but he
feared that the people would be disap-
pointed in this. He had not studied
political economy, and knew moth
ing about the various forms of govern
ment. He inquired whether Australia
was an American colony. and said he
had never heard of Malay protecto-
rate.
Boastful Ignorance.
Continuing, the insureent leader
said there was no need of protection
tor the Philippine islands, because the
Filipinos were able to cope with any
| army. He admitted that he had never
seen a foreign army, with the excep-
tions of the garrisons Mt Hong Kong
| and Singapore, and he had never seen
these troops on parade.
Acuinaldo declined to discuss the
| American army and protested his un-
| dying gratitude to the Americans. He
/ s.iid they had come to the Philippines
to fight the Spaniards only and. now
that thsY had finished the task, it
was to be expected that they would re-
"urn to America. He was unwilling to
| believe that the Americans would de-
'nlrud reward for an act of humanity
and he declined to admit the necessity
of quid pro qs.o.