New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-31
AGUINALDO THE INSURGENT
CHARACTERISTICS OF ADMIRAL DEWEY'S
ALLY IN THE PHILIPPINES.
QUIET LITTLE MAN OF THE JAPANESE TYPE
HIS SIMPLE COURT AT cAvITE-EAsY OF
APPROACH TO AMERICANS.

APPROACH TO AMEkICANS
Cavite. June II.
II General Emilio Aguinaldo. who has de-
cared himself dictator Of all the Philipplnes'
were to walk the streets OF an American city
the casual observer would take him for a
Japanese student or artisan. He Is short nut
well-knt has the Japanese cast of face and
form Of head, and the casual observation would
be strengthened by a brstly black pompadour
of the kind so common among the Mikado's
subjects There are no outward visible
marks OF genius except that the General Is
slow and deliberate. and that may be a sign
of depth and breadth Of mental calibre, Agul-
naldo is unrufed alike In victory and defeat
In the privacy OF his state chamber he may
execute a double shuttle or survey himself in
mirror when his trusted lieutenants bring It'd
ings of a fresh victory. or he may toss on his
cot at night when the Spanish occasionally
have the advantage. but the visitor searches in
vain for the play Of emotion sentiment. hope
despair when he is presented.
The correspondent of The Tribune brought
Aguinaldo the tidngs from Hong Kong OF the
seizure Of the cargo Of the Pasg The inter-
prefer was little slow in breaking the news
but when it was told the cheftain simply said
it was too bad" and extended the warmest
thanks for the unwecome advices
THE VALUE OF HIS HEAD.
Aguinaldos chief concern is the preser-
walton OF his precious head japanese heads
arc cheap enough nowadays. but the Spanish
have bid this one up to $4,000 When he first
landed here Aguinaldo fought with his men,
but there soon came need for more executive
work, and an increasing fear of assassination.
and the leader sought safety in Cavite. There
he is surrounded by corps Of his trusted fol-
lowers. The safeguards which surround him
there are such that he is protected from every
thing save the treachery Of those in high place
He has established headquarters In the former
home Of rich native situated on Gale de
Arsenal. Cavities main avenue. The house is
broad. low. roomy and typically Spanish. Il
was in old Cavite that Aguinaldo was born
twenty-six years ago and he has established his
aged mother and several Of his relatives in his
headquarters. There is a paved court at the
street entrance and guard Of Insurgents line
It on either side. They come 10 present for
Americans. and good form calls for salute in
return. A stairway leads from the court and
the landing at the top is large. and makes
good ante-chamber. Here stand guards In
uniforms OF a material suspiciously like blue
gingham marked down to nine cents.
There is little delay for the American visitor.
and the summons TO enter the reception-room
comes quickly The presentations are simple.
Aguinaldo comes in extends his hand for
short shake. and then motions the visitors to
seats He wears spotless suit of white linen.
white shirt with well-polIshed front. high
collar and a black cravat tied in a bow, and
red velvet slippers. embroidered in gold.
VISIT TO THE GENERAL
When questioned as to his troops at a recent
Interview General Aguinaldo examined a small
war map showing the provinces heading on
Manila Bay and traced the movements OF his
troops the distribution OF his garrisons. the To-
cations Of his lines. and the prospective adj
vances with deliberation and mastery Of de-
tails that at least carried the conviction Of
triumph He smiled over the capture Of Batan-
gas without the loss Of a man, but that was the
only change In his countenance in long in
terview 1t took long stretch Of the imag-
nation to fully appreciate that the quiet little
man in spotess linen was the leader OF an
active rebellion and the ally OF an invading
force Aguinaldo is quite comfortable in the
looted town of Cavita. In his office he has a
modern desk backed with a bevel-edged mirror
that came from some European mart; couple
Of large strong iron boxes for the dictatorial
treasury. an abundance OF easy chairs an old
make and a large hatrack of fanciful design.
The only signs of were the ends OF sword
chains that peeped through holes in the eng
ham coats Of the officers in attendance. and a
metallic standard holder that leaned against
the hatrack.
The court Of the dictator is not impressive.
A chamberlain was identified as a boatman who
had worked for some days for the newspaper
correspondents. and there were other touches
of opera bouffe. Agunado's present concern
is the defeat OF August, and he will not discuss
the future of the islands He and his follow
ers however hope for a republic under limited
American protectorate. Aguina.do seems 10
possess real ability, but none OF his followers
shine in the estimate Of the Americans here
They are Of a rather low order. as rule, and
generally ignorant and illiterate and Aguinaldo
himself has not completely proved his strength
Of character. but he has fought long and hard
success is in sight. and he is ambitious. So
are his followers.