Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-17
ASSEMBLY OPENS.
FiIipanos Make Great Dis
play at MaIoIos, Thursday.
Aguinaldo Appears in Evening Dress
and Is Received With Cheers.
Processes Great ignorance Of Protectorates-
Careful Not to Compromise Himself.

Manila, Sept. 16.-The Philippine ma
tional assembly was inaugurated al
Malolos, yesterday, with great enthu-
siasrn. There were thousands Of visit
tors from all the provinces and a great
display was made. Aguinaldo. at 9
o'clock in the morning, entered the hal
of the old convent recently occupied
by the Spanish local government. IT
is an entirely plain room. adorned only
with some religious pictures. The in
surgent leader was in evening dress.
The others wore ordinary costumes.
Aguinaldo was received with cheers
ard also with cries of Viva America"
by the large crowd of natives inside
and outside the hail. He read a decree
concerning the members, who included
several Spamards. He next read a
message eulogizing the army and
thanking the friendly nation which had
set the historical example of liberty
and had assisted down trodden race.
eloquently exhorted the assembly =,
Follow the noblest principles" and in
voked the spirits Of the martyred FL
ipinos." The assembly then adjourned,
for the day.
A Spanish delegate suggested TIA.
business be resumed, in the afternoon,
but Filipino objected and accused
the Spaniard of attempting to under
mine the constitution To this the Span
lard replied that he was a sincere Re-
publican and that his only desire was
the welfare Of the country Thereupsn
the Filipino apOlogized and the pro-
ceedings terminated. During the at
ternoon, many Americans and Euro
peans arrived and Aguinaldo was kept
busy receiving visitors, including the
American consul.
The correspondent of The Associa ted
Press had a private interview with Ag-
Cinaldo who is extremely unwilling 70
compromise himself with the natives.
He said that a majority of the Filipi-
nos had been struggling for freedom
fd years and centuries and that they
row believe that object has been at
tanned.
Aguinaldo professed entire ignorance
of the autonomous systems in vogue in
he British colonies, of protectorates
and Of Americans state autonomy. H.
said he was unable to understand the
IDEA and only understood absolute in
dependence.
Personally he believed a protectorate
for the Philippine Islands was neces-'
sary, but he feared that the peopl.
would be disappointed in this. He had
not studied political economy and knew
nothing about the various forms Of
government. He inquired whether
Australia was an American colony and
said he had never heard of a Malay
protectOrate.
Continuing, the insurgent leader said
shere was no need of protection for the
Philippine Islands, because the Filipi-
nos were able to cope with any army
He admitted that he had never seen 4
foreign army, with the exception of the
garrisons at Hong Kong and Singapore,
and he had never seen those troops on
parade.
Aguinaldo declined to discuss the
American army and protested his IN
dying gratitude to the Americans.
He said they had come to the Philip
pines to fight the Spaniards only and
now that they had finished the task it
was to be expected that they would re-
turn to America. He was unwilling to
believe that the Americans would de-
mand reward for an act of humanity;
and he declined to admit the necessity
of quid pro quo.
The Filipino leader expressed himself
confident that the newly founded gov
eminent would ultimately build a
navy. In the meantime. he said the
great nations should protect and aid
a young nation instead of grabbing her
territories. If the Americans should
refuse To withdraw. the National As
sembly. he said must decide the policy
to be pursued-a policy which he de-
clined TO forecast.
Several FilipinOs assure this corre-
spondent that they have personally
witnessed horrible tortures at Noilo-
the feet Of natives held to a candle
flame for hours, electric currents APP
piled to the most sensitive parts Of the
body and various unnameable attroci-
ties-all intended, to extort confession.
This is scarcely credible; but there are
numerous alleged witnesses of such
outrages and several who show scars Of
recent origin and unheafed. SOsne say
they escaped only through bribing the
Spanish officials.
1t is natural that there should be
yearnins for revenge upon the Spanish
prisoners at Mali1os; but these are NOT
maltreated.