The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-09-14
DEWEY SEEMS TO
SCENT DANGER.
SAYS He CONSIDERS THE
SITUATION SOMEWHAT
CRITICAL.
Whole Island of Luzon in thu
Hands of Insurgents, Save
Town of Manila.

Manila, Sept. 12.-Rear Admiral
Dewey says he considers the situa-
tion critical 1t is understood hehas
asked for an additional cruiser and
battleship.
The Spanisrds assert that Germany
will take coaling station here, and
that Spain will retain the remainder
of the islands.
The last Spanish garrfsons at Ilocos
and Laguna 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 inten-
tion of convening an assembly of the
Filipinos on Sept Is. in order to
decide upon the policy to be adopted
by the insurgents
The correspondent here of the As
sociated Press has had an interview
with Aguinaldo, who said there were
81 600 insurgents armed with rifles
He added be could raise 100000
men Indeed, the insurgent leader
pointed out, the whole population of
the Philippine islands was willing to
fight for their independence
Continuing, Aguinaldo said he had
5000 military prisoners. including
5000 in the vicinity of Manila, be-
side civil prisoners.
Later Aguinaldo SAID the "provi-
sional government was now opera.
ting % provinces He asserted that
on Aug. 2 they elected delegates in
numbers proportionate to the pcpuia
ton
As to the Americans, Agunaldo re
marked that he considered them as
brothers, aud that "the two sovereign
republics were allied against com
mon enemy
When questioned as to whether the
future Filipino policy would be abso
lutte independence, Aguinaldo ex-
cused himself from replying and ask.
ed what America intends to do
The correspondent being unable to
answer this question. Aguinaldo con.
tinued : "We have been fighting for
independence for long time. The
natives who profess to favor annexa-
ton are insincere. 1t is merely
ruse to ascertain American views"
Asked if the FiIipinos would object
to the retention of Manila, Aguinal-
do declined to answer.
"Would the Filipinos object to
Americans retaining q coaling sta
tion, if recognizing the independence
of the islands or establishing a tenn
porsry protectorate over them ?"
Aguinaldo again refused to an
swer
Pending the conclusion Of the as
sembly, Aguinaldo said, he was con.
fdent there would be no trouble be-
tween America and the Filipinos.
The insurgent leader denied having
received a request from Gen. Otis
aud Rear Admiral Dewey to with
draw bis troops to a prescribed dis
tance from Manila and Cavite, and he
declined to discuss the effect of such
request
Aguinaldo further asserted that he
had never conferred with the Ameri
can authorities since the capitulation
of Manila, and that he had never au
thorized the insurgents to search or
disarm Americans crossing the lines
The correspondent closely ques
toned him about last Saturdays in-
cident when the Pennsylvania troops
proceeded to establish new outpost.
The Filipinos objected and nearly
precipltated hostilities, ordering the
Americans to withdraw in 20 min.
utes They issued ammunition and
intercepted the American reinforce
ments Finally Gen Hale ordered
all the Penneylvanians to advance,
and the rebels withdrew
The local governor has explained
that the incident was a complete mis-.
take and has repudiated his subordi.
Mates action.
Aguinalao declared to this CORES.
pondent that the Filipino, who made
the trouble, merely pretended to be
an officer and is entirely unconnected
with the insurgent army. Aguinaldo
complained that the spaniards were
"dissimulating false reports for the
purpose of fomenting antagonism be-
tween the Filipinos and the Ameri-
cans Z"
The whole interview conveyed the
impression that Aguinaldo desires
absolute indepence, regards the mis-
sion of the Americans here as &C
compIished, and expects their with