The record-union., 1898-09-13
Said That He Has Asked for Another
Cruiser and a Battleship.
Spanish Assert That Germany Will
Take Coa1ing Station, and
That Spain Will Retain the Be-
mainder of the Islands-The
Whole Island of Luzon in Hands
of Insurgents Except Manila
and Cavite.

MANILA, Sept. 12-Rear Admiral
Dewey says he considers the situation
critical. 1t is understood he has asked
for an additional cruiser and battle
ship. The Spaniards assert that Ger
many will take a coaling station here
and that Spain will retain the remain
der of the islands.
The last Spanish garrisons at IlocoS
and Laguna have surrendered and the
whole Island of Luzon is said to be in
the hands of insurgents, except Manila
and Cavite.
Aguinaldo went to LelolloS on Friday.
He has announced his intention of con-
vening an assembly of the Filipinos on
September 10th, in order to decide upon
the policy to be adopted by the insur-
gents.
The correspondent here of the Asso-
ciated Press has had an interview with
Aguinaldo, who said there were 81 600
insurgents armed with rifles. He added
that he could raise 100000 men. In
deed the insurgent leader pointed out
that the whole population of the Phil
ippine Islands were willing to fight for
their independence.
Continuing, Aguinaldo said he has
aldo said the provisional government"
was now operating twenty-eight prov
inces. He asserted that on August I'd
they elected delegates in numbers pro-
portionate to the population.
As to the Americans, Aguinaldo re-
marked 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 absolute
independence, Aguinaldo excused him.
self from replying, and asked what
America intends to do.
The correspondent being unable to
answer this question, Aguinaldo con-
tinued
I'VE have been fighting for indepen-
dence for q long time. The natives who.
profess to favor annexation are insin-
cere. 1t is merely a ruse to ascertain
American views
Asked if the Filipinos would object
to the retention of Manila. Aguinaldo
declined to answer.
Would the Filipinos object to Amer
leans retaining a coaling station if
recognizing the independence of the ISL
VI SSldDliSIlIlS d piO-
tectorate over them?'
Aguinaldo again refused to answer
Pending the conclusion of the assem-
bly,, Aguinaldo said he was confident
there would be no trouble between
America and the Filipinos.
The insurgent leader denied having
received a request from General Otis
and Rear Admiral Dewey to withdraw
his troops TO prescribed distance from
Manila and Cavite, and he declined to
discuss the effect of such a request
Aguinaldo further asserted that he
had never confided with the American
authorities since the capitulation Of
Manila, and that he had never author
lied the insurgents to search or disarm
Americans crossing the line.
The correspondent closely questioned
him about last Saturdays incident
when the Pennsylvania troops proceed
ed to establish a new outpost. The
Filiplnos objected and nearly precipi
tated hostilities, ordering the Ameri-
cans to withdraw in twenty minutes.
They issued ammunition, and inter
cepted the American reinforcements.
Finally General Hale ordered all the
Pennsylvanians TO advance and the reb-
els withdrew.
The local Givernor has explained that
the incident was u complete mistake,
and has repudiated his subordinaJe's
notion. Aguinaldo declared to this cor
respondent that the Filipino who made
the trouble merely pretended to be an
officer. and is entirely unconnected with
the insurgent army. Aguinaldo COM
planned that the Spaniards were dis
siminating false reports for the purpose
OF fomenting antagonism between the
Filipinos and the Americans.
The whole interview conveyed the
Impression that Aguinaldo desires alb
solute independence. regards the mis-
sion Of the Americans here as accom-
pnshed. and expects their withdrawal
lust as the French with Lafayette
withdrew after helping the Americans
in the war of independence, a war OF
humanity"
Just now Aguinaldo maintains the
role OF extreme friendship.