The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-09-17

n ANiLA. Sept. i6--Thc Philip
Nh pine general assembly WAS IN
V auguraicd AZ Malolos yesterday
' Awith great enthusiasm. There
we're thousands Of visitors from the pr9F-
inces and a grca, display WIS made
Agu.naldo at o'clock this morning en-
tered the hall OF the convention recently
occupied b. the spanish local government
ment. The nmrgcnt leader was IN even
ing dress. according 10 spanish custom
Tho others wore ordinary costumes. Agu'
lnaldo. who was received with cheers ana
also with cries Of viva Amcrica" oy
large crowd Of natives inside and out
side the hall. read a decree oonvening the
members, who included several spanlardH'
He next read a message. eulogizlng the
army and thanking the friendly nations
which had set the heroic example OF hb-
| crty and had assisted a down-troddcn
race. Continuing. Aguinaido urgently ana
cloqucn,ly e1horicd the assembly 10 "iol'
low the noblcst principles" and invoked
the spirits OF tho mar,yrcd Filiplnos.
The asscmbly then adjourned for the
day
A spanish delegate suggested that 6lsl'
ness be resumed in the afternoon, but a
Filipino objected and accused the Spani-
ard OF attempting TO undermine the con-
sututlon. To this tho spanlard replied
that he was a sincere republican and that
kt A.s
country. Thercupon the Filipino apollo
gircd and the proceedings terminated.
During the afternoon many Americans
and Europeans arrived, and Agulnaldo
was kept busy receiving visitors. inelud'
lng the American consul.
The correspondent Of the Associated
Press had a private Interview with Agu-
iDaldo. who Ii extremely unwilling to com
promise himself with the natives lie
said that a majority OF the Flpinos had
been struggling for freedom for years and
centuries and that they now believe that
their object has been attained
Agunaldo professed entire ignorance OF
the autonomous system In vogue In the
British colonies. Of protectoratcs and oil
American automy. ne said he was un'
able to understand the idea. and only un-
derstood absolute independence" Per-
sonaliy. ho said. n protectorate for the
Philippine islands was necessary but he
feared that the people would be disap-
pointed In this, He had not studied po-
llucal economy and knew nothing about
the various forms Of government. lie in
oulred whether Australia was an Ameri-
can colony. and said he had never heard
Of the Malay proteetorate.
Continuing the lnsuWent leader said
there was no need OF protection for the
Philippine islands. because the FilIpinos
were able TO cope with any army. lie ad-
mitted that he had never seen foreign
army. with the exception OF the garrlsons
at Hong Kong and Singapore, and he had
never seen these troops on parade
Aguinaldo declined TO discuss the Ameri-
can army and protested his undying
gratitude to the Americans, He said they
had come to the Philippines to fight the
spanlards only, and now that they had
finished the task II was TO be expected
that they would return to America. He
was unwilling 10 believe that Americans
would demand reward FOR an act of hui
manity. and he declined to admit the
necessity OF quid pro quo.
The Filipino leader expressed himself
as confident that the newly founded gov
ernment would build a navy ultimately,
In the meantime he said, great nations