Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-09-24
AGUINALDO IN PERIL
Philippines Insurgent Leader Mar
49, rowly Escaped Poisoning. -
STEWARD TASTED POISONED FOOD

And Immediately Dropped Dead-Tn-
surxents Actively Recruiting. Fear
Ing n Return to Spanish Domination.
Aguinaido's Friendly Message.
pima asserts that an attempt was made
TO poison Aguinsldo last Friday night
A steward. IL is alleged. saw Spanish
prisoner who had been allowed his free
dom make a movement which ap-
peared like tampering with q bowl OF
soup intended for Aguinaldo, where
upon the steward tasted a spoonful OF
the soup and fell dead
Eleven Franciscan friars are alleged
TO have been engaged in the conspiracy.
The populace. it is further said, at
tempted to lynch all the Spanish pris-
oners. but Aguinaldo interviewed.
At Saturdays session OF the national
assembly. it appears Aguinaldo was alb
sent. but his representative related the
story of the outrage to the members.
who unanimously adopted the chair
mans proposal that they all go to
Aguinaido's house. express sympathy
with him and congratulate him upon
his escape.
During the evening a special thanks
giving service was held in the church
at Malslos. Soup intended for Aguin-
aldo is now subjected. it is stated. to
a chemical analysis before being pre-
scented to the insurgent leader, and the
Spanish prisoners are kept closely con-
6ned-
The insurgents, urged by constant
rumors of the intention of America to
re-establish Spanish rule in the Archi-
pelago. continue actively recruiting
their army Hundreds from Manila are
enlisting daily and troops are being
drilled everywhere. Great diligence is
exhibited in initiating the formation
and manual, particularly in voliey fir
ing. The intrenchments in certain po-
sitions are being strengthened. and a
vigilant line of picI1ets Is kept out
side the suburbs. At the same time
1he attitude of the insurgents is much
more friendly than it was before the
evacuation.
Several thousand rifles have recently
been landed and four new Maxims hav,
also been received. The provincial
leaders are paying into the insurgen
treasury q certain portion of the funt
captured from converts, protesting I,
reserve the remainedr for the paymen
of their troops. BY this means the,
keep practically independent of tn
central authority and preserve the in
tegrity of their own command. A gen
eral occupying one rich province sen
90 Aguinaldo $35. 900 In cash last week.
The agitation among the insurgent
IS stimulated by the clerical party
which uses every effort to influence tn
natives against American occupation
Evidence to this effect is absolutel
trustworthy, although Archbishop DO
xal and other prominent ecclesiastic
oil 1eSc ,,f-
action and solemnly disclaim persona
participation In II.
Strikes in all industries are becom
ing more extensive daily. and the labo
question is fast growing serious. TIL
Americans unwisely continue to pa
nearly three times the usual wages
causing discomfort to spread rapid
among every class of workmen. A
manufacturers are much hampereo
the tramways are frequently stoppe,
and railway operations are seriousl
crippled and a discontinuance OF I'll
service is threatened. The strikers ma
urally drift into the insurgent rank
and consequently labor d!sturbanc,
are not discouraged by the leaders.
The news from Washington that II
battleships Oregon and Iowa have bee
ordered here and that GO. 900 tons of CO.
would be shipped Immediately is int
preted by the Americans as proof
the intention of the government
hold the Island of Luzon.
To set at rest the oft repeated stori
of Insurgents opposition to the Amer
can forces in the Philippines AguInalC
has given out the following signt
statement for publication in the Un
ted States:
THE Filipino government desires
Inform the American government al
people that the many rumors circ'
lated regarding the strained relation
between the Filipino and America
forces are base malicious ISLANDERS
the enemy to both parties. are witho
any truth and are circulated for &
purpose OF prejudicing the appeal
the Filipinos for their release fro
the oppression and cruelty OF Spai
The relations of our people and you
have been and will continue to be
1he most friendly nature, and we ha
withdrawn our forces from the subur
of Manila as an additional evidence
our confidence in the great Americ.
republic"