The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-09-23
WANTS NO PROTECTORATE
Aguinaldo Declares for Abb
solute independence.

Aguinaldo Declares for Alb
/ solute independence.
PHILIPPINES FOR THE FiLiRlNOS
Claims That They Have Been StruR-
Cling for Freedom Many Years-Does
Not Understand Autonomy.
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 9
| O'Clock in the morning, entered the
hall of the convent recently occupied
by the Spanish local government. 1t
is an extremely plain room, adorned
only with some religious pictures.
The insurgent leader was in evening
dress, according to the Spanish custom.
The 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 convening the mem bers, who in
cluded several Spaniards. He next
read a message eulogizing the army,
and thanking the friendly nations
which had set the historic example Of
liberty and had assisted a 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 he resumed in the
afternoon, but a Filipino objected, and
accused the Spaniari of attempting to
undermine the constitution. To this
the Spaniard replied that he was a sim
cere republican, and that his own de-
sire was the welfare of the county.
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-
vate interview with Aguinaldu, who Ia
extremely unwilling to compr omise
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-
lieve that their object has been at.
tained. Aguinalio 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 Malay protectorate.
Continuing. the insurgent leader
said there was no need of protection
for the Philippine islands. because the
Filipinos were able to cope with any
army. He admitted that he had never |,
'een foreign army, with the excep-
ion Of the garrisons at Hong Kong and
Singapore, and he had never seen these
roops on parade.
Aguinaldo declined to discuss the
American army and protested his un-
lying gratitude to the Americans.
he said they had come to the Philip. :
'ines to fight the Spaniards only, and
low that they ha6 finished the task, it :
vas to be expected that they would re- s
urn to America. He was unwilling
o believe that the Americans would
emand reward for an act of human. l
ty, and he declined to admit the neces-
ity Of quid pro quo. c
The Filipino leader expressed him {
elf confident that the newly founded
overnment would build navy ulti. :
lately. In the meantime. he said,
he great nations should protect and
id any young nation. instead of grab
ing her territories. If the Americans
Mould refuse to withdraw, the national
he said, must decide the
olicy to be pursued-a policy which
9 declined to forecast.
Further conversation was prevented
? the strains of a brass band, but
eneral Aguinaldo was interviewed
so by dozen American journalists.
A Spaniard, supposed to be an officer.
traversed the town,
leering at and denouncing the princi- Z
les Of the Filipinos. On his resent v
g friendly remonstIance, he was
aced under arrest.
Several Filipinos assured the corre-
'ondent that they have personally
itnessed horrible fortunes at Iloilo;
10 feet of natives held to a candle H.
lme for hours, electric currents ap-
led to the most sensitive parts of the
,dy and various unnameable atrocities
all intended to extort confession n,
lis is ;arcely credible, but there are
lmerous alleged witnesses of such ST
TRACES, and several who show sores 6
recent origin and unhealed. Some s
y they escaped only through bribing
Q Spanish officials. 1t is natural
at there should be yearning for re-
nge upon the Spanish prisoners at ft.
alo Los, but these are not maltreated.
The Captured Mausers.