The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-09-16
Is Dewey's View as to
the Philippines.
WANTS A BATTLESHIP
SPanfards Assert that Germany VIII
Take a COaling SsaGon-Agufualdo
Calls an Assembly of Insurgents to
Decide Upon a Poliey-The Leader
interviewed on the Future of the
Islands-War Between Americana
and Insurgents Almost Precipitated

| Islands-War Between Americans
and insurgents Almost Preeipitated.
Manila, September 12.-Rear Ad-
miral Dewey says he considers the
situation critical. 1t is understood he
has asked for an additional cruiser
| and a battleship.
The S~paniards assert that Germany
will take a coaling station here and
that Spain will retain the remainder of
the islands.
b last Spanish garrisons at Ilocos
and Laguna have surrendered and the
whole island of Luzon is in the hands
of the insurgents, except Manila and
Cavite.
Aguinaldo went to Lelollos on Fri
day. He has announced his intention
of converting an assembly of the Flip
pinos on September 18th, in order to
decided upon the policy to be adopted
by the insurgents. The correspondent
here of the Associated Press has had
an interview with Aguinaldo, who
said there were $1,000 insurgents arm
ed with rifles. He added he could
raise loo, 900 men. Indeed, the insur-
gent leader pointed out that the whole
population Of the Philippine Islands
was willing to fight for their indie
p%endence. Continuing Aguinaldo said
he had 5000 military prisoners, includ-
ing 5000 in the vicinity of Manila, be-
side civil prisoners.
Later, Aguinaldo said the "provis-
iOnal government was now operating
twenty-eight provinces. He asserted
hat on August End they elected dele
oats, in numbers propOrtionate to the
population. AS to the Americans,
AguinaldO remarked that he consider
ed them as brothers and that the two
sovereign republics were allied against
a common enemy. When questioned
as to whether the future Filipino pol
icy would be absolute independence,
AguinaldO excused himself from re-
plying and asked what the Americans
intend to do.
The correspondent being unable to
answer this question, Aguinaldo con-
tinued: I'VE have been fighting for
independence for a long time. The
natives which profess to favor annex
alton are insincere. 1t is merely a
ruse to ascertain American views"
Asked if the Philippines would object
to the retention of Manila, AguinaldO
declined to answer.
Would the %Filippinos object to
A r1nrican rntaininO a Hn911nO station
if recognizing the independence of the
islands or establishing a temporary
protectOrate over them Aguinaldo
again refused to answer.
Pending the conclusion of the assem-
bly,, A%guinaldo said, he was confident
there would be no trouble between
America and the Filippinos. The in
surgent leader denied having received
a request from General Otis and Rear
| Admiral Dewey to withdraw his troops
to a prescribed distance from Manila
and Cavite and he declined to discuss
| the effect of such a request. Aguinal-
do further asserted that he had never
| conferred with the American authOri-
| ties since the capitulatiOn of Manila
and that he had authorized the
| insurgents to search or diSarm Ameri-
cans crossing the lines.
The correspondent closely question
| ed him about last Saturdays incident
when the Pennsylvania troops proceed
ed to establish a new outpost. The
Filippinos objected and nearly precipi-
tated hOstilites, ordering the Ameri-
cans to withdraw in twenty minutes.
They issued ammunition and intercept
ed the American achievements. FL
nally General Hale ordered all the
Pennsylvanians to advance, and the
rebels withdrew.
The local governor has explained
that the incident was a complete mis-
take, and has repudiated his subordi-
mates action. Aguinaldo declared to-
this correspondent that the Filipino
who made the trouble merely pretend
ed to be an officer and is entirely un-
connected with the insurgent army.
Aguinaldo complained hat the Span
iards were disseminating reports for
the of fomenting an~tagOnism
between the FilippinOs and the Amer
leans.
The whole interview conveyed the
impression that Aguinaldo desires abb
solute independence, regards the mis-
sion of the Americans here as accom-
plished, and expects their withdrawal,
lust as the French with Lafayette
withdrew after helping the americans
in the wal of independence, a
war of humanity" Just o Aguin-
aldo maintains the role Of extreme
friendship.