The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-09-20
POISON FOR ACUINALDQ.
Spanish Prisoner Tried to Kill the
>>,...- Insurgent Leader.
STEWARD TASTED POISONED FOOD
And Immediately Dropped Dead-In-
surgcnts Actively Recruiting, Fear-
Ing II Return to Spanish Domination.
Agulnaldo's Friendly Message.

S"EShtS <AStiNciE AotiuitihE' Ituf-
ing II Return to Spanish Domination.
Agulnaldo's Friendly Message.
Manila, Sept. 2O.-The Republca 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 a movement which ap-
peared like tampering with bowl of
soup intended for Agundldo, where
upon the steward tasted spoonful Of
the soup and fell dead.
Eleven Franciscan fiiars are alleged
to have been engaged in the conspiracy.
The populacc, it Is further said, at
tempted to lynch all the Spanish plii-
Oners. but Aguinaldo intervencd.
At Saturdays session of the national
assembly. it appears Aguinaldo was alb
gent. but his representative related the
story of the outrage to the members,
VINO unanimously adopted the chair
mans proposal that they all so to
Agunaldo's house, express sympathy
with him and congratulate him upon
his escape.
During the evening a special thanks
giving service was held in the church
at Malolos. Soup intended for Aeuin-
aldo Is now subjected. it is stated, to
chemical analysis before being pre-
sented to the insursent leader and the
= Spanish prisoners are kept closely con-
fined.
The insurgents, urged by ccnsta.,,
rumors of the intention of America to
re-establsh Spanish rule in tie Archi-
Rtntr
their army. Hundreds from Manila are
cnlistng daily and troops are being
drilled everywhere. Great diligence il;
exhibited in initiating the formation
and manual, particularly in vollcy ar
Ing. The intrenchmcnts in certain po-
sitions are being strengthened. and a
vigilant line of picIets is kent 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 insurgent
treasury certain portion Of the fund
captured from converts, protesting to
reserve the remainder for the payment
OF their troops. BY this means they
keep practically iniepcndcn, of the
central authority and preserve the in
tesrty of their own command gen.
eral occupying enc rich province sent
to Aguinaldo S35, 900 in cash last week.
The agitation among the insurgents
4s stimulated by the clerical party,
which uses every effort to influence the
n
Evidence to this effect is absolutely
trustworthy, although Archbishop Do
zai and ether prominent ecclesiastics
strenuously deny all knowledge of such
action and solemnly disclgim personal
participation in it,
Strikes in all Industries are bocom-
Ing more extensive daily, and the labor
question is fast growing serious. The
Americans UNIV sry continue to pay
nearly three times thu usual Wages,
causing discomfort to spread rapidly
among every class of worimen. All
manufacturers are much hanpered;
the tramways are frequently stopped,
and railway operations are seriously
crippled and dlscontinuance of the
service is threatened. The strkcrs nat
urally drift into the insuySent ranks,
and consequently labor disturbances
Are not discouraged by the leaders.
The news from Washington that the
battlcships Oregon and Iowa have been
ordered here and that 50. 900 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 TO the hm-ri-
ran forces In the Philippines Aguinaldo
has given out the following signed
statcment for publication in the Uni
ted States:
"The Filipino government desires to
Inform the American governm' mt and
people that the many rumors circu-
lated regarding the strained relations
between the Filipino nd American
Forces are base. malicious ISLANDERS Of
The enemy to both parties, are without
any truth and are circulated for the
purpose of prejudiclng 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 he Of
the most friendly nature. and we have
Nithdrawn our forces from the suburbs
pf Manila as an additional evidence of
Dur confidence in the great American
tepublic."