Abilene weekly reflector., 1898-09-22
AGuIyALDO TALKS.
BE Thinks American Soldiers
Should Now Leave Manila.
yol NEEDED AND yo1 WANTED.
He Says Our Tro0p> Went TO the Philippines
to Fight the spaniards Only. and Their
Task Il Now I ompleted--IgnO.
ran. Of Government.

Manila, Sept l7.-The Philippine
general assembly was inaugurated at
Malolos Thursday with great enthu-
siasm. There were thousands of Wis.
itors from the provinces, and a great
display was made. Agunaldo, at nine
o'clock in the morning, entered the
hall OF the convent recently occupied
by the Spanish local government
Aguinaldo. who was received with
cheers and also with cries of viva
America" by the large crowd Of ma.
tives inside and outside the hall, read
a decree convening the members, who
included several Spanards. He next
read a message eulogizing the army,
and thanking the friendly nations
which had set the historical example
of liberty and had assisted down
trodden race. Continuing, Aguinaldo
urgently and eloquently exhorted the
assembly to follow the noblest princi.
pies" and invoked the spirits Of the
martyred Filipinos." During the after
noon many Americans and Europeans
arrived and Aguinaldo was kept busy
receiving visitors, including the Amer
lean consul.
The correspondent Of the Associated
press had a private interview with
Aguinaldo, who is extremely unwilling
to comprise himself with the natives.
He said that majority ofthe Filipinos
had been struggling for freedom for
years and centuries and that they now
believe that object has been attained.
Agunaldo professed entire ignorance
Of the autonomous system in vogue in
the British colonies, of protectorates
and Of American state autonomy. He
said he was unable TO understand the
idea and only understood absolute
independence" Personally, he be.
lieved protectorate for the Philippine
islands was desirable, but he feared
that the people would be disappointed
in this. He had not studied political
economy and knew nothing about the
various forms Of government He in.
qured whether Australia was an
American colony, and said he had
never heard Of Malay protectorate.
Continuing, the insurgent leader said
there was no need for protection for
the Philippine islands, because the
Filipinos were able to cope with any
army. lie admitted that he had never
seen foreign army, with the excep-
tion Of the garrisons at Hong Kong
and Singapore, and he had never seen
these troops on parade. Aguinaldo
refused to discuss the American army
and protested his undying gratitude to
the Americans. He said they had come
to thePhilippines to fight the Spaniards
only, and, now that they had finished
the task, it was to be expected that
they would return to America He
was unwilling to believe that the
Americans would demand reward
for an act of humanity. The Filipino
leader expressed himself confident that
the newly founded government would
build a navy ultimately. In the mean
time, he said, the great nation should
protect and aid young nation, instead
Of grabbing her territory. If the
Americans should refuse to withdraw,
the national assembly, he said, must
decide the policy to be pursued-a pol
Icy which he declined to forecast.
AN ANTI-AGUINALDo REBELLION.
New York, Sept. IA dispatch to
the Herald from Manila says: The in
surgents changed their plans last
night and instead of evacuating all
the suburbs of the city, as Gen. Otis
ordered. they moved from Ermita to
Santana, where they appear to be con-
centrating in strong force.
1t is reported, although it has not
been confirmed, that Aguinaldo has
ordered that this place be held at any
cost 1t is more likely move on the
part Of Rio Pillar to embarrass the die.
tator The former rebel chief, isabelle
Artacho, who was condemned to death
by Aguinaldo for treachery in May
and was reprieved and escaped, is
leading $4,000 men against Aguinaldo.