Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-17

MANILA, september 1.-THE Phlnp-
i.a. National Assembly was inaugurated
.. Naiolos yesterday, with great enthu-
,asm There were thousands Of visi-
ta~. from the provinces, and a great dis
piay was made.
Asuiualdo at 9 o'clock in the morning,
entered the hall Of the convent recently
occupied by the Spanish local govern
mont 1t is an extremely plain room,
adorned with only some religious pic
lures. The insurgent leader was in eve
uiac dress, according to the Spanish GUS
i0m. The others were ordinarily cos
tuned.
Al7Iinaldo. who was received with
cheers and also with cries of "Viva
America" 10y the large crowd OF natives
inside and outside the hall, read the de-
cree convening the members, who in
cIuded several Spaniards. He next read
. message eulogizing the army, and
thanking the friendly nation which had
set the historical example of liberty, ana
had assisted downtrodden race.
INVOKES SPIRITS OF MARTYRS.
Continuing. Aguinaldo urgently and elo-
o,.enty eNorted the assembly to fol
low the noblest principles" and invoked
the spirits Of the martyred Filipinos.'
The assembly then adjourned for the
day.
During the afternoon many Americans
ana Europeans arrived, and Aguinaldo
was kept busy receiving visitors, inciud-
ing the American Consul
The correspondent of the Associated
Press had private interview with
Acuinaldo. VINO is extremely unwilling
IA COMPROMISE himself with the natives.
lie said that a majority of the Fllpinos
had been struggling for freedom Tor
years and centuries, and that they now
believe that object h2s been obtained
AGUINALDO IN THE DARK.
Aguinaldo professed entire ignorance Of
the autonomous systems in vogue in the
British Colonies. of protectorates ana oI
American State autonomy. lie said ne
was unable 10 understand the idea, and
only understood absolute Independence. y
Personally. he believed a pCotectorate
for the Philippine Islands was necessary,
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 inqliired whether Australia was an
American Colony, and said he had never
heard OF a Malay protectorate.
no NEED OF PROTECTION.
Continuing. the insurgent leader said
there was no need Of protection Tor the
Philippine Islands. because the flHpinos
were able 20 cope with any army. lie
admitted that he had never seen u ior-
C.u army. with the exception OF the
glrrisons at Hongkong and Singapore
and he had never seen these troops on
parade
Agulnaldo declined TO discuss the Amer
Jean army, and protested his undylng
gratitude of the Americans. lie sald
rhcv had come TO the Philippines to fight
the Spaniards only, and now that they hao
finished the task IL was TO be expected
thai they would return TO America. He
WAS unwilling to believe that the Amer
leans would demand reward for an act
or humanity. and he declined to admit the
necessity of a quid pro quo.
The Filipino leader expressed himself
as confident that the newly-founded gov
tmment would build a navy ultimately.
AMERICANS SHOULD WITHDRAW.
I'm the mean time, he said the great
NHNOnS slOulu ploAtNA anu O." " VNNo
nation. instead of grabbing her territory.
If The Americans should refuse 10 with
draw the National Assembly, he SAID
must decide the policy 10 be pursued--a
policy which he declined TO forecast.
Further conversation was prevented by
The strains OF a brass band, but General
Aeuiraldo was interviewed also by a
dozen American journalists and one
japanese.
A Spaniard. supposed TO be an officer
ununiformed. traversed the town sneer-
Ing al and denouncing the principal Filipi-
nos ON his resenting friendly re-
monstrance. he was placed under arrest.
ALLEGED HORRORS.
Several Filipinos assure this correspon-
don't that they have personally witnessed
horrible tortures at Iloilorthe feet ot
natives held 10 a candlefiam for hours'
electric currents applied TO the most SEN
sItiyc parts of the body and various uh-
nomable atrocitias-all intended 20 extort
confessions. This IS scarcely crediDls'
but there are numerous alleged witnesses
~ such outraRes. and several who show
scars Of recent origin and unhealed. Some
say they escaped only through brlbihs
The Spanish officials.
lt is natural that there should be a
warming for revenge upon the Spanish
prisoners AZ Malolos but these are not
maltreated. The correspondent saw sew
eral who were at perfect liberty having
peaceful employment and apparently De
ing quite content 10 remain.