Evening journal., 1898-10-08
BCUIHALDO

Emilio Asuina.do is about 80 years
Of age. He is a mestizo-that IS. of
mixed Spanish and native blood--cf
obscure origin. His father was a plant
er in the province Of Cavite, who, hav-
ing great faith in his son, sent him
to the University i'm Manila. Here tha
youth, however, attained no distinc-
Ition, and he gave but little promise for
the future. In fact. he was considered
SO inept Ia the theoretical Rudies OF
the medieval curriculum of that univer-
eity that he was sent back home as q
hopeless case, The father, however, had
nos lost faith in the boy, and next sent
him to the Jsuit College i'm Manila.
Here he made great progress; but he
did not continue there long. for, being
naturally fond Of things military, hs
took the first opportunity to enlist as a
petty officer in the Spanish army. But
after the little Incident narrated above
occurred Aguinaido b,came a. marked
man.
When DR. Jose Rlzal, that most learn
ed patriot, was organizing the Scciety
Of the Katipunana. whose secret object
was this freeing of the islands from
Spanish tyranny, Agulnaldo was his
most trusted lieutenant and his most ar
dent supporter. Rial was banished
and all the world knows Of his tragic
end. AguinaldO, too, was suspected,
and was at his home when a squad Of
native soidieIs. headed by a Spanish
officer, came to arrest him. while this
worthy was reading the warrant. the
incipient rebel promptly blew out HIS
brains, and then, wibh thrilling e'o-
quence, addressed the soldiers, melting
them TO join in the revolt His wonds
were effective. and they escaped to the
mountain forests, where they were soon
joined by thousands of sympathlzers.
This was the celebrated rzoellion of
1896, which made such headway that
Spaniards, convinced OF their inabil-
lty to Quel 1t by force, resorted to their
usual triclpgry. All Of the reforms De
manded by the natives-the chief ci
wh9ch was legislative representation
and the expulsion of the friars-wer1
promised. Agulnaldo, having the good
Of his country at heart agreed 10 The
terms proposed, and, disbandlng his
army. went to Hong Kong, the head
quarters of the Philippine Junta. K
watch the march OF events. lie HAD
been paid by the Spaniards a larg
sum OF m3ney-sC veral thousand dol
lars-which was to be used for the edu
cation abroad of the sons of the exc
cuted Philippine leadcrs. It was how
ever, held for a probable emergency
and thla emergency came. The Span
ish, with characteristic treachery
broke every promise made THE disband
! ed insurgents, slaughtered their lead
5 ers, and welded the fctters of the peC
r pie only the more tightly. The friar
e w.re at the bottom Of this, and TIE
knew 10 mercy. The result might hav
b.en foreseen. The people were drive
into very frenzy, and another reyo
ution was precipitated--a revolution
, which became an avalanche OF retri
D button which nothing could stop.
( was at this time that the Americar
e fleet came to the aid Of the struggling
FflipinOs. Dewey's grand victory tol,
ed the kneli of Spanish tyranny in tn
! Philippines, and Aguinaldo at once on
tened into relation with the victoriou
d Americans.
] The money at his disposal was spen
!. for agms, and with these and othe
+ munitions OF war received from hi
American allies he returned to th
: islands. AM enthusiastic welcom
awaited him here He was Joined b
a thousands. and in few weeks had n
e kiss than $4,000 natives under his con
j. maud Only a few Thousand OF thes
;. were armed with modern accoutrC
j. merts; but they were all ablaze wit
. enthusiasm, and town after town wa
i taken, and the Spaniards defeated @
Y every s,ep. How Manila was takel
l. and the remarkable forbearance Of th
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