The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1898-10-01
Study of Aguinaldo, Dictator OF
All the Philippines
HOW HE LOOKS AND ACTS
Quiet Youngster Of 26, Who Is the
~ Terror Of Spain.
Lives in Simple Style and Has No
Sign of Militarism About
His Court.

naldo, dictator of all the Philippines, leader
of victorious army of insurgents, and the
very urn of ambition, were to walk the streets
of an American city the casual observer would
take him for Japanese student or artisan.
He is short but we'll knit Of frame, has the
Japanese cast of face and form of head, and
the casual observation would be strengthened
by bristly, black pompadour of the kind so
common among the Mikado's subjects. There
are no outward or visible marks of genius
except that the General is slow and deliberate.
and that may be sign of depth and breadth
Of mental caliber. Aguinaldo Is unruffed
alike in victory and defeat In the privacy of
his state chamber he may execute double
shuttle or survey himself in mirror when his
trusted lieutenants bring tidings of fresh vic
tory, or he may toss on his cot at night when
the Spanish occasionally clean him out, but
the visitor searches in vain for the play of
emotion, sentiment, hope, or despair when
he is presented. Your correspondent brought
him the tidings from Hong Kong of the seiZ-
ure Of the cargo of the Pasig. The inter-
prefer was little slow in breaking the news,
but when it was broken the chieftain simply
said it was "too bad" and extended his
Warmest thanks for the unwelcome advices.
Aguinaldo's chief concern now is the preser-
walton OF his precious head. Japanese heads
are cheap enough nowadays, but the Spanish
have bid this one up to $25, 900.
When he first landed here Aguinaldo fought
with his men, but there soon came a need for
more executive work, and an increasing fear
of assassination, and the leader sought safety
in Cavite. Here he is surrounded by a corps
Of his trusted followers. The safeguards
which surround him are such that he is pro-
tected from everything save the treachery Of
those in high places He has established
headquarters in the former home of rich
native, situated on Gale de Arsenal, Cavities
main avenue. The house is broad, low, and
roomy; and typically Spanish. 1t was in old
Cavite that Aguinaldo was born twenty-sx
years ago, and he has established his aged
mother and several of his relatives in his
headquarters There is q paved court at
| the street entrance, and guard of insurgents
line 1t on either side. They come 20 present
arms for Americans and good form calls for
salute in return. A stairway leads from the
court, and the landing at the top is large, and
makes a good Kings ante-chamber. Here
stands guard in uniforms of material sus-
ptciously like blue bingham marked down to
9 cents. There is little delay for the Ameri-
can, and the summons to enter the reception
room comes quickly. The presentations are
simple.
Aguinaldo came in and extended his hand
Tor short shake, and then motioned the party
to seats. He wore spotless suit of white
linen, white shirt with we'll polished front,
high collar with black cravat tied in a. bow.
and red velvet slippers embroidered in gold.
When questioned as to his troops he examined
small war map showing the provinces head
ing on Manila bay, and traced the movements
of his troops, the distribution of his garrisons.
the locations of his lines, and the prospective
advances with a deliberation and mastery of
details that at least carried the conviction of
truth. He smiled over the capture of Batan-
gas without the loss of man, but that was
the only change during long Interview It
took long stretch of the imagination to
fully appreciate that the quiet little man in
spotless linen was the leader of an active re-
bellion and the ally of an invading force.
AguiDaldo is quite comfortable in the
looted town OF Cavite in his office. He has a
modern desk, backed by a huge bevel-edged
mirror that came from some European mart,
couple Of large iron strong-b boxes for the die
tatorial treasury, an abundance of easy chairs.
an old grand piano several feet taller than the
modern make, and q large hat rack of fanci-
ful design. The only signs of war were the
ends of sword chains that peeped through
holes In the bingham coats Of the officers in
attendance, and a metallic standard holder
that leaned against the hat rack. The court
Of the dictator is not impressive. A chamber
lain was identified as a boatman who had
worked for some days for the newspaper cor
respondents, and there were other touches Of
opera bouffe. Aguinaldo,s present concern
Is the defeat Of Augusti, and he will not
discuss the future of the islands, He and his
followers, however, hope for a republic under
limited American protectorate. Aguinaldo
seems to possess real ability, but none of his
followers shine in the estimate Of the Ameri-
cans here. They are of rather low order
as rule, and generally ignorant and illiterate,
and Aguinaldo himself has not completely
proved his strength and character. But he
has fought long and hard, success is in sight.
ana ne Is ambitious. So are his followers.