The age-herald., 1898-08-04
AGUINALD0
 THE INSURGENT

Cavite Correspondence of N. Y. Tribune.
 If General Emilio Aguinaldo, who has de- clared himself dictator of all the Philip pines, were to walk the streets of an American city the casual observer would take him for a Japanese student or arti- san. He is short, but well-knit has the Japanese cast of face and form of head, and the casual observation would be strengthened by a bristly black pompa- dour of the kind so common among the Midako'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 calber. Aguinaldo is unruffied alike in victory and defeat. In the privacy of his state chamber he may execute double shuffie or survey himself in a mir TOT when his trusted lieutenants bring tid- ings of a fresh victory, he may toss on his cot at night when the Spanish occa- sionally have the advantage, but the visitor searches in vain for the play of emotion, sentiment, hope, or despair when he is presented.
 The correspondent of the Tribune brought %Agunaldo the tidings from Hong Kong of the seizure of the cargo of the Pasig. The interpreter was a little slow in breaking the news, but when 1t was told the chief tain simply said it was "too bad'' and ex- tended the warmest thanks for the unwel. come advices.
 Aguinaldos chief concern now is the preservation of his precious head Japan- csc heads are cheap enough nowadays. but the Spanish have bid this one up to s2o,O0O. 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 Cayite. There he is surrounded by corps of his trusted fol- lowers. The safeguards which surround him there are such that he is protected from everything save the treachery of those in high place.
 He has established headquarters in the former home of a rich native, situated on Calle de Arsenal, Cavities main avenue. The house is broad, low, roomy, and typi- cally Spanish. It was in old Cavite that Aguinaldo was born twenty-six years ago, and he has established his aged mother and several of his relatives in his headquarters. There is paved court at the street en- trance and guard of insurgents line it on either side. They come to present for Americans, and good form calls for sa- 1ute in return. A stairway leads from the court, and the landing at the top is large, and makes a good ante-chamber. Here stand guards in uniforms of material sus~ piciously like blue gingham marked down to cents.
 There is lttle delay for the American visitor, and the summons to enter the reception room comes quickly. The pre- sentations are simple. Aguinaldo comes in. extends his hand for a short shake, and then motions the visitors to seats He wears spotless suit of white linen, a white shirt with well-polshed front, high collar and black cravat tied in a bow, and red velvet slippers, embroidered in gold.
 When questioned as to his troops at a recent interview, General Aguinaldo exam- ined a small map showing the provinces heading 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 de- liberation and mastery of details that at least carried the conviction of triumph. He smiled over the capture of ~Batangas without the loss of a man, but that was the only change in his countenance in a long interview. It took u long stretch of the imagination to fully appreciate that the quiet little man in spotless linen was the leader of an active rebellion, and the ally of an invading force. Aguinaldo is quite comfortable in the footed town of Cavite. In his office he has modern desk, backed with bevel-edged mirror that came from some European mart; a couple of large strong iron boxes for the dicta- torial treasury, an abundance of easy chairs, an old grand piano several feet taller than the modern make, and large hat-rack of fanciful design. The only signs of war were the ends of sword chains that peeded through holes in the gingham coats of the officers in attendance, and metallic standard holder that leaned against the hat-rack.
 The court of the dictator is not impress sive. chamberlain was identified as g boatman who had worked for some days for the newspaper correspondents, and there were other touches of opera bouffe. Aguinaldo's present concern is the defeat of August. and he will not discuss the future of the islands. He and his follow CTS, however, hope for a republic under g. limited American protectorate. Aguinaldo seems to possess real ability, but none of his followers shine in the estimate of the Americans here They are of a rather low order, as a rule, and genrally igno- rant and illterate, and Aguinaldo himself has not completely proved his strength of character, but he has fought long and hard success is in sight, and he is ambitious, So are his followers.