Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-09-13
Dewey
Considers the Situation Very
Critical
And Asks for Additiona! Battle
ships,

MANILA. Sept. Admiral
Dewey says he considers the situation
critical. He has asked for an addi-
tiondl cruiser and battle ship. The
Spaniards assert that Germany will
take coaling station here, and that
Spain will retain the remainder of the
Islands. The last Spanish garrisons
at llocos and Laguanet have surrend-
cred. and the whole island OF Lozon is
In the hands Of the insurgents, ex.
cept Manila and Cavlte.
Aguinaldo went TO Lellollos Friday,
lie has announced his intention of
convening the assembly of the FilIp-
plnos on September Is, in order to
decide upon the policy to be adopted
by the insurgents. A correspondent
here, of the Associated Press, has had
an interview with Agulnaldo, who
said there were $1,000 insurgents.
armed with rifles. He added he could
raise 100000 men. Indeed the in.
surgent leader pointed out that the
whole population was willing to
light for their independence. Con-
tinuing. Aguinaldo said Re has 1900
military prisoners, including 5000 In
The vicinity of Manila, besides civil
prisoners.
Later Agulnaldo said the "proyis-
lonal government" was now oper-
ating twenty-elght provinces. He
asserted that he appointed dele.
gates in proportion to the population.
AS to the Americans, Aguinaldo re-
marked that he considered them as
brothers. That "the two sovereign
republics were allied together against
the common enemy"
When questioned as to whether the
future OF the Filippinos policy would
be absolute independence, Aguinaldo
excused himself from replying, and
asked what America intends to do.
The correspondent being unable to
answer Snis question, Aguinaldo con-
tinued;
"We have been fighting for Inde-
pendence for long time. Those
natives, who profess to favor annexa-
tion, are insincere. 1t is simply a
ruse to ascertain American views +"
Asked If the Filipinos would reject
the retention OF Manila, Aguinaldo |
declined to answer.
"Would the Filippinos object to the
Americans retaining coaling station
II recognizing the independence OF
o. the islands, or establishing a TEN,
porary protectorate over them P"
Agiunaldo again refused to answer
Pending the conclusion of the as.
sembly Aguinaldo said he was con-
fident there would be no trouble be-
tween America and the Filipplnos.
The insurgent leader denied having
received request from General Otis
and Rear Admiral Dewey to with
draw his troops to prescribed dis
tance from Manila and Cavite, and he
declined to discuss the effect of such a
request, Agulnaldo further asserted
that he had never conferred with the
American authorities since the capt.
Ulatlon Of Manila, and that he never
authorized the insurgents TO search
or dlsarm Americans crossing the line.
The correspondent closely questioned
him about last Saturdays incident
when the Pennsylvania troops pro.
ceeded to establish a new outpost.
The FIlipplnos objected aud nearly
hostilitles, ordering the
Americans To within twenty min
utes. They issued ammunition and {
intercepted the American reinforce
ments. Finally General Hale ordered $
all the PennSylvanians to advance
and the rebels withdrew. The local
governor has explained that the
Incident was mistake and has repu-
1lated his subordinaCes' action.
declares that the Filipino +,
who made The trouble merely pre-
.ended to be an officer, and ls entirely p
lnconnected with the insurgent !,
lrmy. Aguinaldo complained that the :,
spanish were disseminating these :,
'eports for the purpose OF fomenting +,
Intagonism between the Flllppinos h
md the Americans" .,
The whole interview conveyed the 4
Impression that AguinaldO desires
ibsolute independence; regarding the a,
mission OF the Americans here as n
ccompllshed, and expects their with n
travail "just as the French with n,
lafayette withdrew after helping The ;cI
americans In the war Of independence a,
war OF humanity" Just nov ~
lguinaldo maintains role OF u
: