The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-09-13
ACU|NALDO'S AMBITION.
No Desire For Annexation to the
United States.
WANT ONLY INDEPENDENCE"

He Declares That the Fiilpinos Who
Profess to Favor Annexation Are
Insincere Merely a Ruse to Ascer-
tain American Views.
Manila, Philippine Islands, Sept. 49,
Rear Admiral Dewey says he consid-
ers the situation critical. 1t Is UNDER
stood he has asked for an additional
cruiser and a battleshp. The Span
iards assert that Spain will take a
coaling station here, and that Spain
will retain the remainder of the islands.
The last Spanish garrisons at llocos
and Laguna have surrendered and the
whole of the island Of Luzon is in the
hands Of the insurgents, except at
Manila and Cavite.
Aguinaldo went to Malolos on FRI
day. He has announced his intention
of convening an assembly of the Fill
pinos on Sept. Is, in order to decide
upon the policy to be adopted by the
insurgents.
A correspondent here has had an in-
terview with Aguinaldo, who said there
were $1,000 insurgents armed with RI
fles. He added he could raise 100000
men. Indeed, the insurgent leader
pointed out, the whole population of
the Philippine Islands was willing to
fight for their independence.
Continuing. Aguinaldo said he lad
5000 military prisoners. including 5.ea0
in the vicinity of Manila, besides civil
prisoners.
Later Aguinaldo said the provincial
government" was now operating 20
provinces. He asserted that on Aug. 2
they elected delegates, in numbers
proportionate to the population.
As to the Americans Aguinaldo re-
marked that he considered them as
brothers and that 1.-The two sovereign
republics were allied against a common
enemy"
When questioned as to whether the
future Filipino policy would be abso-
Lutte independence, Aguinaldo excused
himself from replying, and asked what
America intends to do
The correspondent being unable to
answer this question, Aguinaldo con-
tlnued:
I'VE have been fighting for indepen-
dence for long time. The natives who
profess to favor annexation are insin-
cere. 1t is merely ruse to ascertain
American views"
Asked If the Filpinos would object
to the retention of Manila. Aguinaldo
declined to answer.
Would the Fuipinos object to Amer
lea retaining a coaling station, if recog-
nizing the independence of the islands
or establishing a temporary protecto-
rate over them?"
Agunaldo again declined to answer
Pending the conclusion of the assem-
bly,, Aguinaldo said, he was confident
there would be no trouble between
America and the Fiipinos. i.
The insurgent leader denied having
received request from General Otis
and Rear Admiral Dewey to withdraw
his troops to a prescribed distance
from Manila and Cavite and he declin-
ed to discuss the effect of such a re-
quest.
Aguinaldo further asserted that he
had never conferred with the Ameri-
can authorities since the capitulation
of Manila, and that he had never au-
thorzed the insurgents to search or
The correspondent closely questioned
him about last Saturdays incident,
when the Pennsylvania troops proceed
ed to establish a new outpost. The
Fliipinos objected and nearly precipi-
tated hostlities. ordering the Ameri-
cans to withdraw in 20 minutes. They !
Issued ammunition and intercepted the
American reinforcements. Finally |
General Hale ordered all the Pennsyl- |
vanians to advance, and the rebels
The local governor has explained that
the incident was complete mistake, |
and has repudiated his subordinates'
action. Aguinaldo declared to this COR
that the Filipino who made
The trouble merely pretended to be all
officer and is entirely unconnected with \
he insurgent army.
Agunaldo complained that the Span.
ards were disseminating false reports
or the purpose Of fomenting antagon-
sm between the Filipinos and the
Americans"
The whole interview conveyed the
that Aguinaldo desires alb
olute independence, regards the mis-
lion of the Americans here as accom-
,lished, and expects their withdrawal,
just as the French with Lafayette
after helping the Americans
n the war of independence, a war of
Just now Aguinaldo maintains the
ole nf avtrep,o frIop5s |