The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-17
TALK WITH AGUINALDO.
The Insurgent Chief Scheming for
"AbsOIute Independence."

MANILA, Sept. 16.-After adjournment of
the first session of the insurgent congress
at Malolos yesterday the correspondent of
the Associated Press had a private inter-
view with Chief Aguinaldo who is extreme
ly unwilling to compromise himself with the
natives He said that a majority of the
Filipinos had been struggling for freedom
for years and centuries and that they now
believe that object has been obtained.
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 independence" Personally he be-
lieved a protectorate for the Philippine ISL
ands 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 govern
ment He inquired whether Australia 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 Philip
pine islands, because the Filipinos were
able to cope with any army. He admitted
that he had never seen a foreign army
with the exception of the garrisons at
Hong Kong and Singapore, and he had
never seen these troops on parade. Agun-
aldo declined to discuss the American army
and protested his undying 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
it was to be expected they would return
to America. He was unwilling to believe the
Americans would demand reward for an
act of humanity and he declined 20 admit
the necessity of a quid pro quo.
The Filipino leader expressed himself con-
fident that the newly founded government
would build a navy ultimately. In the
meantime, he said, the great nations should
protect and aid a young nation. instead of
grabbing her territories. If the Americans
should refuse to withdraw the National AS
semby, he said, must decide the policy to
be pursued-a policy which he declined to
forecast.
Further conversation was prevented by
the strains of brass band, but General
Aguinaldo was interviewed also by a dozen
American journalists and one Japanese. A
Spaniard, supposed to be an officer ununi-
formed. traversed the town, sneering at and
denouncing the principal Filipinos. On his
resenting a friendly remorstrance, he was
placed under arrest.
Several Filipinos assure this correspond
ent that they have personally witnessed
horrible tortures at Iloilu-the feet of ma
tives held to a candle flame for hours, cleo
trio currents applied TO most sensitive parts
of the body and various unnamable atroc-
ities-all intended to extort confessions.
This is scarcely credible. but there are num-
erous alleged witnesses of such outrages
and several who show scars of recent origin
and unhealed. 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 several who were at
perfect liberty, having peaceful employment
nd apparently quite content to remain.