Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-13
DEWEY ASKS AID.
He Regards the Situation at.
Manila as Critical.
INTERVIEW WITH AGU|NALDO.
Philippine Leader Says He Can Rlise
a Hundred Thousand Soldiers.
HE DESIRES INDEPENDENCE.
Expects Americans to Withdraw,
"Just as Lafayette Withdrew, After
Helping the Americans I'm Their
War for Independence"
HE DESIRES INDEPENDENCE.

MANILA, September 2.-Rear-Admirsl
Dewey saws he considers the situation
critical. 1t is understood he has asked
for an additional cruiser and an addition
al battleship.
The Spaniards assert that Germany viii
take a coalng station here, and that
Spain will retain the remainder OF the
islands.
The last Spanish garrisons, at Ilocos
and Laguna, have surrendered. and the
whole Island of Luzon is in the hands of
the insurgents. except Manila and Cavite.
Admiral Dewey went to Lelollos on Fri
day. He has announced his intention Of
convening an assembly of the Filipinos
on September 18TH in order to decide upon
ths policy to be adopted by the insur-
gents.
AGUINAIDO'S VIEWS.
The correspondent here of the Asso-
ciated Press has had an interview with
Aguinaldo, who said there We're 1909 in
surgents armed with rifles. He added
that ne could raise 10000 men. Indeed
the jnsurgent leader pointed out, the
were willing to fight for their inde-
pendence.
Continuing, Aguinaldo said he had 1900
military prisoners. including 5000 in the
vicinity OF Manila. besides civil prisoners.
Later Aguinaldo said the provisional
government was now perfect in twenty
eight provinces. He asserted that on Au-
gust 10Th they elected delegates. in MINI
Der proportionate to the population.
As to the Americans. Aguinaldo remark
ed that he considered them as brothers,
| and that "the two sovereign republics
were all against the common enemy"
WHAT ARE OUR INTENTIONS.
Questioned as to whether the future Of
| the Filipinos policy would be absolute in
dependence. Aguinado excused himself
from replying and asked what America
intends 10 do.
SUSPICIOUS SILENCE.
Tho correspondent being unable to an
swer this question, Aguinaldo continued:
1--WE have been fighting for indepen-
dence for a long time. The natives who
profess to favor annexation are inslncere.
| 1t is merely ruse to ascertain American
views"
Asked if the Filipinos would object
| 10 the retention of Manila, Aguinaldo
declined TO answer.
would the FTlipinos object to Ameri-
| cas- retaining a coaling station. II recog-
nizing the Independence of the islands,
or establishing a temporary protectorate
over them?"
AguinaldO again refused TO answer.
Pending the conclusion OF the assem-
blv. AGuinaldo said. he was confident
there would be no trouble between Ameri-
ca and the Fllipinos
| The insurgent leader denied having re-
ceiving request from General Gus ana
Rear Admiral Dewey to Withdraw his
| troops 10 a prescribed distance from
| Manila and Cavte, and he declined 10
| discuss the effect Of such a request.
| Aguinaldo further asserted that he
| mad never conferred with the American
authorities since the capituiaton OF
| Manila. and that he had never authorized
the insurgents to search or disarm Amerl-
cans crossing the lines.
LAST SATURDAYS INCIDENT.
The correspondent closely questioned
him about last Saturdays incident, when
the Pennsylvania troops proceeded to es-
tablish a new outpost The Filipinos OBJ
iected and nearly precipitated hosulties'
ordering the Americans 10 withdraw IN
tuentv minutes. They issued ammunl-
tion and intercepted the American rem
| forcements. Finally. General Hale order
ed all the Pennsylvanians to advance
and the rebels withdrew
The local governor has explained that
the incident was a complete mistake, ana
has repudiated his subordinates' action
Aeuinaldo declared TO this correspond
ent that the Filipino who made the trou-
bla merely pretended to be an officer and
is entirely unconnected with the insur-
gent army. e..t,s
we're Disseminating false reports for the
nurpose of fomenting antagonism between
In Filipinos and the Americans.
| AGI-rNAI.DO DESIRES INDEPEND-
EN.-E.
The whole interview conveyed the I'M
nression that Aguinaldo desires absolute
independence, regards the mission OF the
Americans here as accomplished, and ex-
meets their withdrawal, "just as the
| French. with Lafayette, withdrew, aIter
belping the Americans In their war Tor
indeDendence. a war Of humanity.
Inst now Aguinaldo maintains the role
q, extreme friendship.