The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-09-17
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY /.

or The Philippine Government lnsuEu'
rated Mt MaIoIos-AgnInaIdo Opens the
s,s,ion-ProFssasa Ignorance nf Forms
otGovernHneni, but Know whA' indie
psndsurs aIrans.
MANILA, Sept ls. = The Philippine
National Assembly was innugurated
at Malolos yesterday with great enthu-
siasm. There were thousands of visl-
tors from the provinces and great dis
play was made. Aguinaldo, at o'clock
in the morning, entered the hall OF the
convent recently occupied By the Span
ish local government.
II Is an extremely plain room, ndorn-
ed only with some religious pictures.
The insurgept leader was In evening
dress, according to the Spanish CUSTOM
The others wore ordinary costumes
Agulnaldo. who was received with
cheers and also with cries OF viva
America" by the large crowd OF natives
inside and outside the hall, read 1e-
cree conVenlng the members, which IN
cluded several Spaniards. He next read
message eulogiEing the army and
thanking the friendly nations whlch
had set the historical example OF liberty
and had assisted down-trodden race:
Continuing, Agulnaldo urgently ana
tloqucntly eXhorted the assembly TO fol-
low the ''noblest principles" and lnvok-
ed the "splrlts OF the martyred Fiiipt-
nos" The assembly then adjourned for
the day.
4 Spanish delegate suggested that
business be resumed In the afternoon,
but Filipino objected and accused the
spanIard OF attempting to undermine
~ - GtTNuF7lu FI
replied that he was n Bincete Republic
can and that his only desire was the
welfare Of the country. Thereupon the
Filipino ap0fogized and the proceedings
terminated.
During the afternoon many Ameri-
cans and Europeans arrived and Aguin-
aldo was busy receiving visitors, includ.
Ing the American consul.
The correspondent OF the Associated
Press had a private interview with
Aguinaldo. who 10 extremely willing to
compromise himself With the natives
He said that a majority OF the Filipl-
nos had been struggling for freedom for
years, and that they now believe that
object has been obtained
AguInaldo proiossed entire ignorance
~ the autonomous systems In vogue In
the British colonies, Of protectorates
and n the American state OF autonomy
Ic said he was unable 70 understand
the idea and only understood absolute
Independence" Personally, he bellev-
ed protectnratr for the Philippine ig'
lnndn war necessary. but he feared that
the people would be disappointed IN
'hlE He had not studied political
economy and knew nothing about the
Various forms Of government. He In
guIred whether Australia was an Amer
lean colony, and said hn had never
heard NJ Malay prOtectOrnte.
Continuing. the inHurPent leader SAID
there was no need OF protection for the
Philippine islands because the FlllDl-
nos were nbic Ia cope with any army
iH admitted that ne had never seen n
foreign army with the exceptions OF the
Tarrlsong at Hong Kong and Singapore
and he had never seen those troops on
parade.
AEulnaido declined 10 discuss the
American army and protested his undy-
ing gratitude 10 the Americans
Q tald they had come 10 the PHILIP
10 ftht the SpaniafdH only. and
di they had finished the task, u
~ expected that they would r.
mtfioa. He was unwilling -
lt the Americana would DC.