The age-herald., 1898-10-23
Aguinaldo's Army Now Consists of 37,.
 900 Armed and Equipped MaIays.
CLASH WITH AMERICAN TROOPS
Captain of Native Company Nearly Precipitated Hostilities by Refusing to Permit United States Soldiers
 to Pass With Their Arms.

San Francisco. October 22-The United States transport Rio De Janeiro, which ar- rived here today, brought advices to the Associated Press dated Manila, September 22 The Philippine chiefs have been in ses- sion since September 15. The first thing decided was that the Philippine republic should not countenance any policy that should be agreed upon whereby Spain would have anything further to do with the islands and would resist by force of arms any such measure A vote was taken on the policy of annexation to the Ameri- E can republic and annexation was decided upon by a large majority, some seven out of eight voting in favor of it. Aguinaido now expresses himself as personally in favor of annexation, adding that he does not think that the natives generally will support such policy.
 When interviewed by the Associated Press representative September Il Aguinaldo stated that his army consists of 37,000 insurgents, regularly armed and equipped with modern weapons, and that he had some 5000 prisoners of war at this time, including the larger portion now bs- ing held in the vicinity of Manila. He stated that an army of 100000 could easily be raised to fight for the cause of inde- pendence, adding that "the whole popula- ton is willing to fight for the cause of in- dependence, and will oppose any European power taking possession"
 Natives Are Insincere
 When asked how 1t was that so many natives openly declare themselves in favor the natives who profess to favor annexa- ton are insncere.
 He expressed himself as entertaining the greatest frindship for tn American people, adding that he hoped there would be no trouble between the republic of the Philip pines and America. He entertains the idea that America and the Philippines are two sister republics, allied together and fighting a common enemy-the Spaniards. He thinks that the American mission here in these islands has been accomplished by the de- stuction of the Spanish fleet and the forci- ble surrender of the city of Manila and expects that the Americans will soon with draw their forces, leaving the insurgents to go over and control the islands.
 For some time past the insurgents have been disarming Americans passing through their lines, but Aguinaldo disclaimed hav- ing authorized any such conduct on the part of the men. Aguinados attention was Saheu to liie ltlcluent or september 2, when the Pennsylvania regiment proceeded to es- tao!ish new outpost some distance be- yond the former one, within the lines of the Insurgents, and an insurgent company o5. 1ected to it's being done. The captain cs the company nearly preciptated hostiliffee by ordering the Americans to withdraw within twenty minutes, and issued orders to his men to intimidate the American offi cer to obey his order to withdraw, md further by refusing to allow the reinforce- ments which had been sent for such out posts.
 Agulnaldo Emphatic
 Aguinaldo was very emphatic in stating that the Filipino who thus attempted to opstruct the movement of the Americans was only pretended officer of the insur- : gent army and in no way connected there- with. The local governor and military commander explained to Major Hale, who had ordered out the whole Pennsylyania regiment upon being informed of thls action Of the insurgents, that the insurgent cap tain had exceeded his authority in order ing the Americans to withdraw and stated that he had misapprehended his orders
 It is generally reported about Manila that many insurgents are not in sympathy with Aguinaldo and do not include themselves among his followers.
 Aguinaldo denied having received any or der or request from General Otis and Ad- miral Dewey to remove his troops to a prescribed distance beyond the fixed city limits of Manila and Cavite and, further declined to state whether he would remove his troops if so requested.