The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-09-17
.AGU|NALOO IS IGNORANT
He Says He Doesn't Know What
Protectorate Is.
GRATEFUL TO AMERICA
But He Expects the Americans to With
draw. as the Filipinos Want Abso-
lutte Independence-AreA Able to
Manage Their Own Affairs.

Manila, Sept. 16.-The Philippine gen.
eral assembly was inaugurated at Malo-
los yesterday with great enthusiasm.
There were thousands of visitors from
the provinces and a great display was
made. Aguinaldo at 8 o'clock in the
morning entered the hall Of the con-
vent recently occupied by the Spanish
local government. 1t is an extremely
plain room, adorned only with some re-
ligious pictures. The insurgent leader
was in evening dress, according to the
Spanish custom. The others wore ordi-
nary costumes.
Aguinaldo, who was received with
cheers and also with cries of viva
America" by the large crowd Of natives
inside and outside the hall, read a de-
cree, convening the members, who in
cluded several Spaniards. He next read
a message eulogizing the army and
thanking the friendly nation which had
set the historical example of liberty and
had assisted downtrodden 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 the Spaniard
replied that he was a sincere republic
can and that his own desire was the
welfare of the country. Thereupon the
Filipino apologized and the proceedings
terminated.
During the afternoon many Americans
and Europeans arrived and Aguinaldo
was kept busy receiving visitors in
cluding the American consul.
The correspondent of the associated
press had a private interview with
Aguinaldo. who is extremely unwilling
to compromise himself with the natives.
He said that majority of the Filpinos
had been struggling for freedom for
years and centuries and that they now
believe that their object has been at
tanned.
Aguinaldo professed entire ignorance
of the autonomous system in vogue In
the British colonies, of protectorates
and of American autonomy. He said
he was unable to understand the idea
and only understood absolute inde-
pendence." Personally he said the pro-
tectorate 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 gov
ernment He inquired whether Aus
tralia was an American colony and
said he had never heard of a Malay
protectorate.
Continuing. the insurgent leader said
there was no need of protection for the
NH ss.IA h.
pinos were able to cope with any army.
He admitted that he had never seen
foreign army. with the exception of the
garrison at Hong Kong and Singapore.
and he had never seen these troops on
parade.
Aguinaldo declined TO discuss the
American army and protested his un-
dying gratitude to the Americans. He
said they had come to the Philippines
to fight the Spaniards only, and now
that they had finished the task, ii was
to be expected that they would return
to America. He was unwilling to be-
lieve that the Americans would demand
a reward for an act of humanity, and
he declined to admit the necessity of
quid pro quo.
The Filipino leader expressed him
self confident that the newly founded
government would build navy ulti-
mately. In the meantime, he said, the
great nations should protect and aid
any young nation. instead of grabbing
her territory. 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
Further conversation on the ques
tion was prevented by the strains of
a brass band, but General Aguinaldo
was interviewed also by dozen Amer
lean journalists and one japanese.
A Spaniard, supposed to be an Off
Ger, ununiformed, traversed the town
sneering at and denouncing the princi-
pie of the Filipinos. On his resenting
a friendly remonstrance, he was placed
under arrest.
Several Filipinos assured the corre-
spondent that they have personally
witnessed horrible tortures at lloilo-
the feet of natives held to a candle
flame for hours, electric currents ap-
Piled to the most sensitive parts of the
body and various unnamable afro
cities-all intended to eXtort confess
sion This is scarcely credible, but
there are 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.
1t is natural that there should be
yearning for revenge upon the Spanish
prisoners at Malolos, but these are not
maltreated. The correspondent saw
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