The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-17
Cannot Understand the Idea Of Aus
tonOmy or a Protectorate.
ISLANDS NEED NO PROTECTION.
The Philippines Are Able to Cope With
lie Has Never Seen Foreign
ATmy-Protcsts Undying
Gratitude To tho
Americans.

MANILA, Sept. l6--The Philippine
National Assembly was inaugurated at
Malolos yesterday with great enthusiasm.
There were thousands Of visitors from
the provinces and a great display made.
Aguinaldo, at o'clock in the morn
Ing. entered the hail of the convent re-
Gently occupied by the Spanish local gov
ernment 1t is an extremely plain
room. adorned only with some religious
pictures. The insurgcnt leader was I'm
evening dress. according TO the Spanish
custom. The others were ordinarily
costumed.
Agulnaldo. who was received with
cheers and also with cries OF viva
America hy the large crowd Of natives
inside and outside the hall. read de-
cree cOnvening The members who IN
cludcd several Spanidrd1. lie next read
90 message eulosi2lng the army and
thanking the friendly nations which had
500 thc historical example OF liberty and
had assisted down-troddcn race.
(. onluu.Lg AeuinaldO urgently and
: .enuy rAh0rrd the assembly -
.ll0w the uobiost principles and IN
loAad the Spirits Of the martyfca Ilii-
piuos.'
Tire Assembly then adjourned for thc
day.
HE REl Eitf3
During the afternoon 4. tuv fmoric -
and Europeans arrived and A,uinaldo
was kept busy receiving visitors, inc.ud-
ing the American cons.L
The correspondent Of tie Associated
Press had private interview wlth
j .l u. I.H ..r trt.. %.
compromise himself with the natives. TO
said that e majority oi the Flllpinos had
been struggling Tor freedom fnr years
and centuries and ll-at thcy now believe
that object has been obtained.
Aguinaldo professed entire ignorance OF
the autonomous systems in vogue IN tho
British colonies. Of proicrtoroies and ~
American State autonomy. io said 10
was unable to understand the idea and
only understood absolute Independence.
VERY INGENIOUS.
Personally, he believed "a protcctorate
for the Philippine Islands was ncccsssry.
but he feared that the people would bo
disappointed In this. He had not studied
political economy, and knew nothing
about tho various forms Of government.
lie inquired whether australia was an
American colony. and said he had never
heard Of a Malay protectorate
there was no need of protection for 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 exception ~ the garrisons
al Hong Kong and Singapore. and he had
never seen these troops on parade.
Aguinaldo declined 10 discuss the Amer
lean army and protested his undying
gratitude to the Americans
THEY CAN GO HOME NOW.
Aguinaldo declined 10 discuss the
American army and protested hts undy-
ing gratitude 10 the Americans. He
said they had corle to the Philippines to
fight the Spaniards only. and. now that
they had finished the task 1t was to DO
expected that they would return TO
America He was unwilling 10 believe
that the Americans would demand re-
ward for an act of humanity and he de-
cinod 10 admit the necessity OF quid
pro quo.
The Filipino leader expressed himself
confident that the newly founded gov
ernment would build a navy ultimately.
In the meantime. ne said. the great ma
tiOns should protect and aid young ma
ton instead Of grabbing her territories.
II the Americans should refuse to with
draw. the National Assembly, he said
policy which ne declined 10 forecast
Further conversation was prevented
by the strains OF a brass band but Gene
raj Aguinaldo was interviewed also by n
dozen American journalists and one Jap
anese.
4 Spaniard. supposed 10 be an officer
un-uniformed. trayersed the town, sneer-
ing al and denouncing the principal Fill
plnos On his resenting friendly re-
monstrance he was placed under arrest.
SPANISH ATROCITIES.
Several Filipinos assure this cOrrespon-
dent that they have personally witnessed
horrible tortures at Iloilo. The feet OF
natives held 20 a candle flame for hours.
electric currents applied 10 the most SEN
sitive parts OF the body and various un-
nameable atrocities--all intended 10 ex-
tort confessions. This IS scarcely credi-
table. but there re numerous alleged
witnesses OF such Outrages and several
who show scars Of recent origin and un-
healed Some say they escaped only
through bribing the Spanish officials.
II is natural there should be n yearning
for revenge upon the Spanish prisoners
| ar Malolos. but these are not maltreated.
| The correspondent saw several who were
| az perfect liberty. having peaceful em-
ployment, and apparently quite content