Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-09-17
INDEPENDENCE ONLY.
Aguinaldo Discusses the Hopes Of
Philippines Insurgents.
THEY DONoT WANT ANNEXATION

i OO NV w aIt A4tA'D~A - - - y ~
He Declares That the Fiiipinos Who
Profess to Favor Annexation Are
erely a Ruse TO Ascer-
tain American Views.
Manila. Philippine Islands. Sept. 10
Rear Admiral Dewey says he consid-
ers the situation critical. 1t is under
stood he has asked for an additional
cruiser and a battleship. The Span
iards assert that Spain will take q
coaling station here. and that Spain
will retain the remainder of the islands.
The last Spanish garrsons at Ilocos
and Laguna have surrendered and the
whole of the island of LuZon is in the
hands of the insurgents, except at
Manila and Cavite.
Acuinaldo went to NIalolos on Fri
day. He has announced his intention
of converting an assembly of the Fill
pinos on Sept Is. in order TO decide
upon the policy 10 be adopted by the
insurgents.
a correspondent here has had an in
terview with Aguinaldo. who said there
were e. 900 insurgents armed with ri
fes. He added he could raise 100000
men. Indeed. the insurgent leader
pointed out. the whole population of
the Philippine Islands was willing to
fight for their independence.
Continuing, Aguinaldo said he Lad
5000 military prisoners including 5000
in the vicinity of Manila. besides civil
prisoners.
Later Aguinaldo said the provincial
government" was now operating Is
provinces. He asserted that on Aug. ,
they elected delegates. in numbers
proportionate to the population.
AS TO the Americans. Aguinaldo re-
marked that he considered them as
brothers and that "the two sovereign
republics were allied against common
enemy"
When questioned as to whether the
future Filipino policy would be abso-
lutte independence. Aguinaldo excused
himself from replying, and asked what
America intends to do.
The correspondent being unable to
answer this question. Aguinaldo con-
tinued:
We have been fighting for indepen-
dence for long time. The natives who
profess to favor annexation are insin-
cere. It is merely ruse to ascertain
American views
Asked If the Filipinos would object
to the retention of Manila, Agulnaldo
declined to answer.
would the Filipinos object to Amer
ica retaining q coaling station. II recog-
nizing the independence Of the islands
or establishing a temporary protecto-
rate over them?"
Aguinaldo again declined to answer.
Pending the conclusion Of the assem-
bly,. Aguinaldo said. he was confident
there would be no trouble between
America and the Filipinos.
The insurgent leader denied having
received a request from General Otis
and Rear Admiral Dewey to withdraw
his troops TO prescribed distance
from Manila and Cavite, and he declin-
ed to discuss the effect of such a re-
quest.
Aguinaldo further asserted that he
had never conferred with the Ameri-
can authorities since the capitulation
Of Manila. and that he had never au-
thorized the insurgents TO search or
disarm Americans crossing the lines.
The correspondent closely questioned
him about last Saturdays incident.
when the Pennsylvania troops proceed
ed to establish new outpost. The
Fliipinos objected and nearly precipi-
tated hostilities, ordering the Ameri-
cans to withdraw in 20 minutes. They
issued ammunition and intercepted the
American reinforcements. Finally
General Hale ordered all the Pennsyl-
vanians to advance. and the rebels
withdrew.
The local governor has explained that
the incident was a complete mistake,
and has repudiated his subordinates'
action. Aguinaldo declared to this COR
respondent that the Filipino who made
the trouble merely pretended to be an
officer, and is entirely unconnected with
the insurgent army.
Aguinaldo complained that the Span
iards were disseminating false reports
for the purpose of fomenting antagon-
ism between the Filipinos and the
Americans"
The whole interview convened the
impression that Aguinaldo desires alb
solute independence, regards the mis-
sion Of the Americans here as accom-
plished. and expects their withdrawal
Just as the French with Lafayette
withdrew after helping the Americans
in the war Of independence, a war OF
humanity"
Just now Aguinaldo maintains the
role of extreme friendship.