Evening journal., 1898-10-08

native soldiers and their general, aro
too well known to need repeating here.
Agunaldo has certainly shown remark
able military talent. When | knew
him as a petty Spanish officer, he took
interest only IN matters relative 10 tho
science of war. and entered tine Span
ish army only to learn It that he might
use IL some day against the oppreseors
of his country
think him to be pure and sincere
patriot. Believe me, from what know
OF the man, HE will fight even the
Americans themselvs rather than see
the islands or any part of them given
back to Spain. He is intensely bitter
against the fr.aTs, as he hats reason to
be, as they have been the most cruel
oppressors. Often when the govrn-
m,nt wished 10 carry into effect GER
tain imperative reforms. It was they
who thwarted every advance.
Aguinaldo has unbounded influence
with his countrymen, and, ,notwlthstand-
ing that s25, 900 HAS been offered for his
head, not one attempt has yet been
made upon his life. lie is bravery per-
s0niied. and this Is the secret OF hls
power. The Filipinns will never fol-
low a coward. They are naturally ia
talists and indifferent to death, and
have the greatest contempt for man
who shows the slightest evidence OF
fear. This is why they so d'spise the
Chncse. Aguinaldo Is always at the
head. and is q born leader. lie takes
the initiative in every case and COM
suits with no one. lie win brook mo
opposition, and his followers know this.
lie has had ONE or two would-he RIVALS,
but they cannot withstand him. He Is
! supreme In the affection and In the
: confidence OF the people, and | believe
him to possess wonderful administra-
tive talent. His one consuming passion
Is liberty, his one Thought the consum-
| nation " that end lie Is, pcrhaps,
not always very scrupulous ais to the
attainment OF his end; yet his procla-
nations are surely both wise and mcdH
crate, his conduct an that one wonld
ask I'm even European dictator; few,
indeed, have shown themselves as mod
est and as merciiul.
In appearance ne is OF medium
height and rather SLENDER, though sup
pie, strang and muscular. He holds
his head very erect, and is possessed
Of tremendous egotism and some per-
soual vanity. GIa dresses neatly, and,
in common with his countrymen. IL
rather fond OF pomp and ceremony HIS
J complexion Is light brown, and his eyee
are back and Intensely piercing. H'
wears his Jet blacl0 hair pompadonr
and has a quick but deliberate manner
His couneenance Is impaesive, and Nh
masks his emotions with a smile.
, In speech HE is direct and intense
and in a harangue has no equal Fli
r. addresses to his troops newer fail to In
r cite them to a fury OF enthusiasm o.
g srieh occasions ne becomes transform
y ed. and his personality is overpoweT
@ ing. His soldiers hang upon ever
q word and obey his every behesh un
= questionably. He is the man OF oh
D hour, and, while do NOT agree witt
= him In everything, l admire him, ani
t hope THAT the Americans will cooper
! ate with him to give us a stable Phillip
3 pine government. He is such powe
p that he cannot and must not be ig
e nored, though 1t may not be vice o
put the administration into his hands
s Agulna.dJ has proven himself am abD
man, and a good one. III he preserve
d his purity i'm the bewildering maze
r temptation into which destiny is send
s ing him, he will 5e known as grea
@ Independent.