The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-09-15
INDEPENDENCE Only.
Aguinaldo Discusses the Hopes Of
Philippines Insurgents.
THEY DoNor WANT ANNEXATION

Ipslncere M erely Ruse to Ascer-
tain American Views.
Manila, Philippine Islands, Sept. IA
Rear, Admiral Dewey says he consid-
hers thu situation critical. 1t Is under
stood ha has asked for an additionaI
truiser md q battleship. The Span
trds assert that Spain will take
daling station here. and that Spain
Wi retain tin remainder Of the Islands.
Tte last Spanish garrisons Ut Ilocos
an\ Laguna have surrendered ana the
whole Of the island of Luzon Is In the
hands OF the insurgents. except at
Manila and Cavite.N
Aguiaaldo went to Malolos on FRI
day. He has announced his. intentio,
Of convehing an assembly OF the FLY
pinos on Sept. Is. In order to decits
upon the policy to be adopted by tie
Insurgents.
correspondent here has had an a.
terview with Aguinaldo. who said thsre
were $1,000 insurgents armed with RI
fies. He added he could raise 10000
men. Indeed. the insurgent letder
pointed out. the whole population OF
the Philippine ISLANDS was willing to
fight for their independence.
Continuing, Aguinaido said b, Lad
5000 military prisoners including 5000
in the vicinity Of Manila, betid,s civil
prisoners.
Later Aguinaldo said the PROVINCIAL
government" was now opfeting Is
provinces. He asserted that ba Aug. 2
they elected delegates, in numbers
proportionate to the populatpn.
As to the Americans. Ag$taldo re-
marked that he considere4 them az
brothers and that "the twf sovereign
republics were allied against a common
enemy"
When questioned as to thether the
future Filipino policy VOID be abso'
lutte independence. Aguin&do excused
himself from replying. and asked wha'
America intends to do.
The correspondent bei3g unable II
answer this question. A(uinaido con
, tinued:
I'VE have been fghtin1 for indepen
dence for long time. Tl natives wh'
profess to favor annexation are tnsin
cere. 1t is merely q rule to ascertain
American views"
Asked II the Filipino would obJec
to the retention OF Mg,ila, Aguinald
declined to answer.
, Would the Filipinos object to Amer
. lea retaining a coaltng station. II recog
nizing the independence of the island
or establishing a temporary protecto
rate over them?''
. Aguinaldo again declined to answer
Pending the conclusion Of the assem-
bly,. Aguinaldo said. he was confiden
there would be no trouble betwee
America and the Fllipinos.
The insurgent leader denied havin
received a request from General Oti
and Rear Admiral Dewey to withdra,
his troops to prescribed distanc
from Manila and Cavite. and he declin
ed to discuss the effect Of such q re
quest.
: Aguinaldo further asserted that
q had never conferred With The Amer
e can authorities since the capitulatio
r OF Manila. and that he had never a,
= thorlzed the insurgents to search {
4 disarm Americans crossing the lines.
!. The correspondent closely questione
; him about last Saturdays inciden
: when the Pennsylvania troops proceed
t ed to establish new outpost. TT
q Fliipinos objected and nearly precip
h tated hostilities ordering the Amer
cans to withdraw in 20 minutes. TIL,
issued ammunition and intercepted Il
American reinforcements. Final
=, General Hale ordered all the Pennsy
II vanians to advance. and the rebe
, withdrew.
= The local governor has explained th
a the incident was complete mistak
I, and has repudiated his subordinate
!. action. Aguinaldo declared to this co
"a respondent that the Filipino who mac
"a the trouble merely pretended to be Q
). officer, and Is entirely unconnected Wi
"a the insurgent army.
Aguinaldo complained that the Spal
+ iards were disseminating false repor
" for the purpose OF fomenting antagol
/, ism between the Filiplnos and Il
Americans"
The whole interview conveyed Il
impression that Aguinaldo desires a
solute independence, regards the mi
.e sion OF the Americans here as accon
= plished, and expects their withdrawt
IS "just az the French with Lafayet
!; withdrew after helping the American
). In the war Of independence, war
L. humanity"
1. Just now AGuinaldo maintains Il
" | ,,I, ~ axtra,po friandcbin