Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-18
SPANS DARING ENEMY.
Dramatic Episode in the Career Of
the Insurgent Aguina1do.
From the Philadelphfs Record

From the Philadelphia Record.
Pancho Aguinaldo, the native dictator of
the Philippines, is very picturesque per-
sonage He is the son of very prominent
native chief. Anxious that his boy should
be educated, this chief confided the lad to
the Spanish priests, who thought that
Aguinaldo's influence, when he grew up,
would help to maintain Spanish authority
among the Malay population. The father
is rich for native, and, Pancho Aguinaido,
after being taught in the local schools, was
sent to Madrid to study theology and quail
fly for the priesthood. After year or two
OF study the young. man boldly declared he
would not be priest, but soldier. So he
was drafted into one of the native regi-
ments, in which a few of the subalterns
are Manila men, but all the captains and
field officers are Spanish.
Nearly two years ago Aguinaldo and a
compatr1ot, named Alexandria also a lieu
tenant of native troops, organized revolt
In the native corps. Agunaldo's regiment
one morning, while on parade, shot all the
Spanish officers, except a few lieutenants
ana took to the savannaS-great trackleSS
prairies, swampy, with occasional high bits
of land, called MATES Here Aguinaldo
made his headquarters. At one time he
must have had 1000 or 5000 men under
arms of some sort hidden in these fast
nesses, raiding the rich settlements when
ever they felt like 1t. The political gov
ernor general of the Philippines, Senior Don
Basilfo Augustin Davile, offered a reward
of $4,000 for the head of Aguinaldo. With
in a week he received a note from the in
surgent chief, saying: Il need the sum
you offer very much, and will deliver the
head myself"
Ten days later the southeast typhoon was
raging. The hurricane-for it was one
was tearing things to bits and it was rain
ing, as 1t can rain only in the orient, a
sheet OF black water flooding the earth.
The two sentine1s at the governor generals
70 6a Ia -tp,
priest passed in, who asked If his excel
iency was within and unengaged They
answered yes to both questions. Don Ba-
silio did not turn his head some one en-
come to help prepare eloquent state
ment upon the condition of the colonies.
1t was not the secretary, but a priest, who
said: Peace be with you. my SON.
The cleric locked the door, and, dropping
his cloak, said:
DO you know me?'
Don Basilio did not know him. 1t was
Aguinaldo, also a twenty-inch bolo, a ma
tive knife, sharp as a razor, carried by
every Malay in time of trouble. They can
lop off an arm with one blow, as though it
was a carrot.
II have brought the head of Aguinaldo,"
the chief said, touching the edge of his
jewel-hilted bolo to ascertain its condi-
ton, land 1 claim the reward. Hasten,
else I shall have to expedite the matter
myself
Don Basilio was trapped. He had to open
his desk and count out the sum in Spanish
gold. Aguinaldo punctiliously wrote a re-
ceipt, coolly counted the money and walked
backward toward the door. He suddenly
opened it and dashed out, just ahead of a
pistol bullet that cut his locks on the tenn
Piles. Captain General Polavieja offered
him and Alexandra free pardon and $780,
600 each to quit the colony. They accepted
it and got the money, only to learn that
they were both to be assassinated the next
OF a 10 me
undertaken the job were found dead, stab
bed to the heart in their own beds. On the
kriss handle was bit of paper with line
saying: Beware of the Malays VEN
geance.''
Polavieja resigned and returned to Spain.
being succeeded by General August, for
merly captain general of Barcelona.
Aguinaldo is about twenty-eight years
old. He and his comrade, Alexandra, hold
the future of the Philippines almost in
their hands