The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-09
CHIEF OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Career of A.IinaldO, Who Began Life
"a Farmers Boy.

Manila Correspondence Paris lie Temps.
1t was on the 18th of May that the chief
Of the Philippine insurgents, Aguinaldo,
having quilted Hong Kong, where he had
retired after the convention of Blacnabato,
landed at Cavite. Everyone is persuaded
that he was recalled by Commodore Dewey,
who gave him on his arrival warm well
come. That of the natives was enthusiastic
President of the Republic of the Philip
pine archipelago is the title that he pro-
poses to assume shortly.
Aguinaldo is but twenty-seven years old
He was born in the village of linus, in the
province of Cavite, and lived there until
the rebellion. His family titled the soil
rice fields and sugar cane-the possession
of which the Order of the "Recollets," the
greatest proprietors of the province, con-
tested by incessant lawsuits.
The father of Aguinaldo, having little
means, endured great privations in order to
enter his son in the College of ST. Juan de
Lateran; then at the University of st.
Tomas, at Manila. The cost of entering
these establishments is high enough: it
varies from 200 francs to 1,5O0 francs a.
year, according to the wealth of the family
The pupils of these colleges, except some
sons of poor half-breed Spaniards destined
to supply the native clergy, are of the pure
Indian race or half caste Chinese. When
they enter ST. Jean de Lateran. newly sent
up from the provinces, they speak only the
dialect of their villages scarcely do thew
know few words of the Spanish tongue
Their professors-Do minicans-explain to
them, nevertheless, half in Latin, half in
the Castilian that which they are to study
ana learn-a Latin grammar, Spanish
liaTX
Which the text and the print date back to
the middle ages.
Thanks to that axiom of Spanish peda-
gogy, La ietra consangre entra" Qetters
are acquired with blOod) the poor students
arrive IN a very short time at speaking
i1atln ana Spanish well as their own dia-
lects. When they have attained to trans
latlng freely the classics of ancient Rome
tney are ADMITTED, always in the quality of
DodruerS, TO follow the courses of the Uni
VerSlty OF st. Tomas. This university also
is ruled by the Dominicans. There one
s SiersS physics, metaphysics, theology ju-
ilspfuuence, without excepting the canon
law, and even medicine
Agunaldo. although he passed easily from
the college to the university was consid-
ered ny his professors having the most
obtuse mind of all the students For three
years ne wore the costume of the university
aIlu observer It's severe discipline and frugal
regimen, but without obtaining the least in
tellectual benefit
This costume of the students of Manila
deserves to be known because of its ele-
gance and originality. 1t consists of q
soutane of bright blue satin, with sleeves
Oh black satin. Over this is worn a wide
crossed on the breast, formerly worn by
seminarists in Spain. For head covering a
four-cornered cap, white stockings, and for
large silver buckles.
This is their dress out of doors but how
dlfterent inside The students go without
stockings and even without slippers Ac-
cording to general usage of the Philippine
indians they wear their shirts outside their
trousers. The. collar of these shirts must be
cut away to show on the breast the sea mn.
laries the holy medals, chaplet and rosaries
with which every piouS and proper student
should be abundantly provided
Always, according to the ancient custom
or the country, the use of the fork is inter-
dicted to the students. and it is with the
hand that they must carry to their mouths
the rice boiled IN water, the morsel of meat
OFTEN dried in the sun and the lentilS which
serve them as food.
The Dominicans, despairing of making
Aguinaldo any credit to them, sent him back
to his father advising the latter to find
for his son career quite other than that
of the priest. letters or of science-the pro-
feSSion of arms. General Ascaraga who
was born in the Philippines who has been
chief of state at Madrid, minister of war
and lately president of the council of min
at the University of st. Tomas and was
student.
Tho father of Aguinaldo naturally did NOT
share the general opinion of the intelligence
of his son and entered him at the normal
school which the Jesuit fathers directed al
Manila. He was beginning there to be
noticed by his professors when his father
died. He returned to his native town and
devoted himself eagerly to cultivating his
patrimony, in spite of the persistence of the
Recollets in not recognizing mis- rights
Thus matters went on until 1S93 when DR.
Rial created at Manila the Philippine
League. 1t has no other objects this league
than to unite politically the archipelago
with the metropolis. IT was of short dura-
tion, for to belong to il 1t was necessary
TO have annual revenue OF 2, 900 francs
RiZal was deporred. and soon afterward was
formed another secret society. which in 8