Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1898-09-15
TROUBLE AT MANILA.
SITUATION CRITICAL AND MORE
SHIPS NEEDED.
Aguinaldo is Fighting for Absolute Inde'
pcndence and Wants the Americans to
withdraw-WhoIe Island of LuSon
In the Hands of Insurgents.


Washington, Sept 13.--It is under
stood that Rear Admiral Dewey has
asked for an additional cruiser and II
battleship. lie considers the situation
in Manila to be q gerry critical one.
Aguinaldo, in recent interview,
stated that the insurgents were fight
ing for absolute independence, and
that nothing else would satisfy the
natives.
The Spaniards assert that Germany
will take coaling station here, and
that Spain win retain the remainder
of the islands
The last Spanish garrisons at llocos
and Laguanct have surrendered, and
the whole island Of Luzon is In the
hands of the insurgents. except Manila
and Cavite
Aguinaldo went to Lelollos on Fri
day. He has announced his intention
of converting an assembly of the Fill
ippinos on September Is, in order to
decide upon the policy to be adopted
by the insurgents
In an interview with Aguinaldo, lie
said there were 67 ,o0O insurgents
armed with rifles. He added he could
! raise 100, 900 men. Indeed, the insur-
gent leader pointed out, the whole
population of the Philippine islands
was willing TO fight for their inde-
pendence Continuing, Aguinaldo said
he had 1900 military prisoners, in
Guiding 8 200 in the vicinity of Manila,
besides civil prisoners.
Later, Agnnaldo said the ''provis-
ional government was now operating
in % provinces. He asserted that on
! August . they elected delegates in
numbers proportionate to the popula-
| ton. As to the Americans, Aguinaldo
! remarked that he considered them as
/ brothers: that the two sovereign re-
publics were allied against common
enemy.
When questioned as to whether the
future Filipino policy would be abso-
lutte Independence, Aguinaldo excused
himself from replying, and asked what
/ America intends to do.
We have been fighting for indie
pendenee for a long time he said.
"The natives who profess to favor an
uexation are insincere. 1t is merely
ruse to ascertain American views"
Asked IL the Filippinos would object
To the retention of Manila, Agui1aldo
declined TO answer
Would the Filippinos object to the
Americans retaining a coaling station,
IL recognizing the independence of the
islands or establishing a temporary
proteetorate over theman
Aguinaldo again refused to answer.
Pending the conclusion of the assem-
bly,, Aguiualdo said he was confident
there would be no trouble between
America and the Filippinos.
The insurgent leader denied having
received request from General Otis
and Rear Admiral Dewey to withdraw
his troops to a prescribed distance
from Manila and Cavite, and he de-
clined to discuss the effect of such
request. Aguinaldo further asserted
that he had never negotiated with the
American authorities since the capitu-
lation of Manila and that he had never
authorized the insurgents TO search or
disarm Americans crossing the line.
Aguinaldo was closely questioned
about last Saturdays incident
when the Pennsylvania troops pro-
ceeded to establish new outpost.
The Philippines objected and nearly
preeipitated hostilities, ordering the
Americans to withdraw in 20 minutes.
They issued ammunition and intercepted
the American reinforcements Finally
/ General Hale ordered all the Pennsyl-
! vanians to advance, and the.rebels with
drew.
The whole interview conveyed the
impression that Aguinaldo desires alb
solute independence, regarding the
mission of the Americans here as ac
complished, and expects their with
drawal, Just as the French with La
fayette withdrew, after helping tn,
Americans in the war of independence
a war Of humanity"
Just now Aguinaldo maintains tn
role of extreme friendship
There is reason to believe that th
navy department has selected tn
Texas as the future flagship of tn
Asiatic squadron, The understandin
is that she will replace the protecte
cruiser Olympia. which is to be ordere
: to the United States as soon as her re
lief arrives on the Asiatic squadron
The Olympia's crew cruise expire
! some months ago, but the breaking on
OF the war with Spain necessitated he
retention in the east, and some hast
q repairs to her machinery were mad'
! at Iiongkong just before the deelars
tion OF hostilities
RIOTS IN GUATEMALA.