The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-09-17

MANILA. Sept. fs.-The Philippine gen
eral assembly Was iuaugu-ated at Malolos
yesterday with great enthusiasm. There
were thousands of visitors from the prov
inces and grea, display was made. Agui-
naldo, at s o'clock In the morning. entered
the hall OF the convent recently occupied
by the Spanish local government II Is an
extremely plain room adorned only with
some religious pictures. The insurgent
leader was In evening dress. according 10
the Spanish custom The others wore Or
dlnary costumes.
Agulnaldo. who was received with cheers.
and also with cries of Viva America" by
the large crowd of natives inside and out
side the hall, read decree convening the
members. who included several Snaniards.
He next read a message eaiogizlng the
army and thanking the friendly nations
which had set the historical example Of
liberty and had assisted a downtrodden
race.
Aguinaldo urgently and e.oquently ex-
horted the assembly to follow the noaless
principles" and invoked the "spIrits of tho
martyred FiapInos."
The assembly then adjourned for the DAY.
A Spanish delegate suggested that busl-
ness be resumed In the afternoon, but a
Filipino objected, and accused the Span
lard OF attempting 10 undermine the con-
s.itution To this the SpanIard replied that
he was a sincere republican. and that his
only deslre was the welfare of the country.
Thereupon the Filipino apologized and the
proceedings terminated.
During the afternoon many Americans
and Europeans arrived, end Agulnaido was
kept busy receiving visitors. Including the
American consul.
The correspondent OF the Associated Press
had "A private interview with Gen. Aggi-
naiao, who vas extremely unwilling 10
compromise himself with the natives. He
said that a majority OF the Fflipinos had
been struggling for freedom for years and
centuries. ard that they row believed taa.
their object had been attained. AguiDaldo
professed ignorance az the autonomous
system in vogue IN the British colonies. OF
protectoTates and OF American autonomy.
lie said he was unable 20 understand the
saeA anH only understood absolute !nde-
pendeace," Personally. he satd. he be-
;leved a protectora;e for the Philippine ISL
nnds was unnecessary buf he feared the
people wauld be disappointed IN this, He
had rot studied political economy and knew
nothing about the various forms of govern
ueni. He inquired whether Australia was
an American colony. ard said he had neyers
heard Of Malay pro'ectorais.
Tho !nsnrgens leader sait thet. was m
need OF protection fer the Philippine Isl
ands. because he FT}iyinos were abe 20
core with arv army. He admitted that he
had never seen foreign army with the
exception ot the gsrfisons al Hongkong
and Singapore. and he had never seen these
troops % parade
Exp~ef. Americans so Withdraw
AvufraI45 declined II discuss '1e Amer
.ran army. ard protested his undying graf
g.uae 20 the Anser.cans. fie sa}d they had
cs,se 70 The Philippines 10 Gghi SpanisFds
only. and now ;aat they had finished tie
taek. Il was % - expected t7ev would re-
tarn to America lie was unwilling n he-
reva shat the Americans would demand q
reward for az act Of humanity. ana &c de-
cnosf 70 adnl. the necessity ot oaia
pro gro.
T74a FTliylro leader expressed hlmaseis
a. c5naaent taat he newly fouraet gov~
ern~seu, Would hiflld sAvy ultimately. Tn
the meantime. be sa.4. TIE great nations
sagu.d protect ard aid any young natioa.
instead of grabbing her territory. II ths
Americans rhoul3 rsfare 70 withdraw. ,hs
national assesnssy. he sasg. mgss ae~!!e tie
policy to ~ g,z;rsae3-a poIscy salcfs he de-
elsness 70 forecast
FurtAer conTer~a'Aon was prevented by
lA' s''A'i's % : a.sE.. 0-aas s s--ss II -