Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1898-09-17
OUR REBEL FRIENDS
Aguinaldo, Like Gomez, Wants
Absolute independence.
HOW HE STARTED HIS CONGRESS.
In Evening Dress He Makes Speech
Eulogizing Everybody-A Private
Interview Says lie Expects the
Americans 10 Withdraw.

Americans TO Withdraw.
MANILA, Sept 1.-THE Philippine
national assembly was inaugurated at
Malolos Thursday with great enthusi-
asm. There We're thousands Of visitors
from all the provinces. and a great dis
play was made. Aguinaldo at o'clock
in the morning entered the hall of the
old convent recently occupied by the
Spanish local government. 1t IS an OK
tremely plain room, adorned only with
some religious pictures The insurgent
leader was in evening dress, according
to the Spanish custom The others
wore ordinary costumes.
Agulnaldo, who was received with
cheers and also with cries of viva
America by the large crowd of ma
tives inside and outside the hail. read
decree converting the members, who
included several Spaniards. He next
read a message eulogizing the army
and thanking the friendly nations
which had set the historical example
of liberty and had assisted a downtrod-
den race.
Continuing, Aguinaldo urgently and
eloquently exhorted the assembly to
follow the noblest principles" and in
voked the Spirits of the martyred Fill
pinos."
The assembly then adjourned FOR the
day.
A Spanish delegate suggested that
business be resumed in the afternoon,
but "A Filipino objected and accused the
Spaniard Of attempting TO undermine
the constitution. TO this tho Spaniard
replied that he was "A sincere republic
an and that his only desire was the
welfare OF the country. Thereupon the
ings terminated.
During the afternoon many Ameri-
cans and Europeans arrived, and Agui-
naldo was kept busy receiving visitors,
including the American consul
A newspaper correspondent had pri-
waite interview with Aguinaldo, who is
extremely unwilling to compromise
himself with the natives. He said that
a majority of the Flipnos had been
struggling for freedom for years and
centuries and that they now believe
that object has been attained.
Aguinaldo professed entire ignorance
of the autonomous systems in vogue in
the British colonies, OF protectorates
and of American state autonomy. He
said he was unable to understand the
idea and only understood absolute in
dependence" Personally he believed
protectorate for the Philippine islands
was necessary, but he feared that the
people 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
q Malay protectorate.
Continuing, the insurgent>leader said
there was no need Of protection for the
Philippine islands. because the Filipinos
were able 20 cope with any army. He
admitted that he had never seen for
elgn army with the exceptions Of the
garrlsons at Hongkong and Singapore.
and he had never seen these troops on
parade.
Aguinaldo declined TO discuss the
American army and protested his undy-
ing 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, II
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
e.
In the meantime he said. the great ma
lions should protect and aid a young
nation instead Of grabbing her terrific
ries. If the Americans should refuse TO
withdraw. the national assembly, he
said. must decide the policy to be pur-
sued, policy which he declined to fore
cast.
Further conversation was prevented
by the strains Of brass band but Cen
eral Aguinaldo was interviewed also by
a dozen American journalists and one
Japanese.
A Spaniard. supposed TO be an officer
ununiformed traversed the town. sheer
ing at and denouncing the principal
Filipinos on his resenting a friendly
remembrance he was placed under ar
rest
Several Filipinos assure this CORE
spondent that they have personally witt
messed horrible tortures at lloilo the
feet OF natives held 60 a candle flame
for hours, electric currents applied to
the most sensitive parts of the body and
various unnamable atrocities. all in
tended to extort confession This is
scarcely credible. but there are numer-
Gus alleged witnesses Of such outrages
and several who show sears of recent
origin and unhealed Some say they es-
capped only through briblng the Spanish
officials.
1t is natural that there should be a
yearning for revenge upon the Spanish
prisoners at Malolos but these are not
maltreated. The correspondent saw sew.
eral who We're at perfect liberty having
peaceful employment and apparently
quite content TO remain.
New PrOfessOrship For Cornell.
ITHACA, n. y, Sept 17.-Presiden
SnhlIrlnan has nnnnnnnna ~ Ii.