Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1898-09-22
IGNORES HIS FRIENDS
Aguinaldo Says the Islands
Are for the Filipinos.
HE WANTS no PRoTECToRATE
Declares for Nothing But Absolute In
dependence-Year Of Fight
Ing for Freedom.

Manila, Sept. 19.--The Philippine
general assembly was inaugurated at
Malo Los yesterday with great enthu-
siasm. There were Thousands OF visit
ors from the provinces, and great dis
play was made. Aguinaldo, at o
O'Clock in the morning. entered the
hall OF the convent recently occupied
i by the Spanish local government. 1t
is an extremely plain room, adorned
only with some religious pictures.
The insurgeDt leader was in evening
iress, according to the Spanish custom.
he others wore ordinary costumes.
Aguinaldo, who was received with
cheers and also with cries OF viva
America by the large crowd Of natives
inside and outside the hall, read de-
cree converting the mem bers, who in
cluded several Spaniards. He next
read message eulogizing the army,
and thanking the friendly nations
which had set the historic example Of
liberty and had assisted down -trod-
den race. Continuing, Aguinaldo
urgently and eloquently exhorted the
assembly to ''follow the noblest prin-
ciples" and invoked the "spirits OF the
martyred Filipinos. ("
The assembly then adjourned for
the day. A Spanish delegate sug-
gested that business be resumed in the
afternoon, bnt Filipino objected. and
accused the Spaniari Of attempting to
undermine the constitution. To this
the Spaniard replied that he was sim
cere republican. and that his own de-
sire was the welfare OF the country.
Whereupon, the Filipino apologized,
and the proceedings terminated.
During the afternoon many Ameri-
cans and Europeans arrived, and Agui-
naldo was kept busy receiving visitors,
including the American consul.
The press correspondent had pri-
yate interview with Aguinaldu, who is
extremely unwilling to compromise
himself with the natives. He said
that majority of the Filipinos had
been struggling for freedom for years
and centuries, and that they now be-
lieye that their object has been at.
tained. Aguinaldo professed entire
ignorance of the autonomous system In
vogue in the British colonies, OF pro-
tectorates and OF American autonomy.
He said he was unable to understand
the idea, and only understood "ab.
solute independence. Personally he
believed protectorate for the Philip
pine islands was unnecessary. but he
feared that the people would be disap-
pointed in this. He had not studied
political economy and knew nothing
about the various forms Of government.
He inquired whether Australia was an
American colony, and said he had
never heard of a Malay protectorate.
Continuing, the insurgent leader
said there was no need OF protection
for the Philippine isisnds. because the
Filipinos were able to cope with any
army. He admitted that he had never
seen foreign army. with the excep-
tion of the garrisons at Hong Kong and
Singapore, and he had never seen these
troops on parade.
Aguinaldo declined - discuss the
American army and protested his un-
dying gratitude to the Americans.
He said they had come to the Philip
pines TO fight the Spaniards only, and
now that they had finished the task. it
was to be expected that they would re-
turn to America. lie was unwilling
to believe that the Americans would
demand reward for an act OF human.
ity, and he declined to admit the neces-
sity of a quid pro quo.
The Filipino leader expressed him.
self confident that the newly founded
government would build navy ulti.
mately. In the meantime. he said,
the great nations should protect and
aid any young nation. instead Of grab
bing her territories. If the Americans
should refuse to withdraw, the national
assembly, he said, must decide the
policy to be pursued-a policy which
he declined to forecast.
Further conversation was prevented
by the strains of brass band, but
General Aguinaldo was interviewed
also by dozen American journalists.
A Spaniard, supposed to be an officer.
ununiformed, traversed the town,
sneering at and denouncing the princi.
pies Of the Filipinos. On his resent
ing friendly remonstTance, he was
placed under arrest.
Several Filipinos assured the corle-
spondent that they have personally
witnessed horrible tortures at Iloilo;
the feet of natives held to q candle
fame for hours, electric currents APP
piled to the mos. sensitive parts OF the
body and various unnameable atrocities
all intended to .extort confession.
This is scarcely credible, but there are
numerous alleged witnesses OF such
outrages, and several who show sores
Of recent origin and unhealed. Some
say they escaped only through bribing
the Spanish officials. II is natural
that there should be yeaIning for re-
venge upon the Spanish prisoners at
Malo Los, but these are not maltreated.
III