The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-13
That He Has 1000 Followers Armed
with Rifles and that He Can
Raise 100000 More Men.
WANTS AMERICANS TO LEAVE
AND SURRENDER THE ISLANDS TO
THE REBEL FILIPINOs.
Alleged Reply of the United States to
Spanish Protest Five OF
Aguinaldo's Vessels Sunk.

MANILA, Sept 12-Rear Admiral Dewey
says he considers the situation critical. 1t
is understood he has asked for an additional
cruiser and a battle ship.
The Spaniards assert that Germany will
take coaling station here and that Spain
will retain the remainder of the islands,
The last Spanish garrisons at Ilocos and
Laguna have surrendered and the whole
Island OF Luzon is in the hands of the in
surgents except at Manila and Cavite.
Aguinaldo went to Lelollos on Friday. He
has announced his intention of convening
an assembly of the Filipinos on Sept. Is
adopted by the insurgents.
The correspondent here of the Associated
Press has had an interview with Aguinal-
do. who said there We're $1,000 insurgents
armed with rifles. He added he could raise
10000 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, includ-
ing 5000 in the vicinity of Manila, besides
civil prisoners. Later Aguinaldo said the
ing twenty-eight provinces. He asserted
that on Aug. they elected delegates in
numbers proportionate to the population.
AS to the Americans, Aguinaldo said he
considered them as brothers and that 'the
two sovereign republics were allied against
common enemy"
When questioned as to whether the future
Filipino policy would be absolute inde-
pendence Aguinaldo excused himself from
replying and asked what America intends
TO do.
The correspondent being unable to answer
this question, Aguinaldo continued: I'VE
have been fighting for independence for a
long time. The natives who profess to favor
annexation are insncere. 1t is merely a
ruse to ascertain American views"
Asked If the Filipinos would object to the
retention of Manila Aguinaldo declined to
answer.
Would the Filipinos object to Americans
retaining coaling station if recognizing the
independence of the islands or establishing
a temporary protectorate over them?" the
correspondent queried.
Aguinaldo again refused to answer Pend
ing the conclusion OF the assembly, Aguinal-
do said he was confident there would be
no trouble between America and the Fill
pinos.
The insurgent leader denied having re-
ceived a request from General Otis and Rear
Admiral Dewey to withdraw his troops to
q prescribed distance from Manila and
Cavite. and he declined to discuss the effect
of such request. Aguinaldo further as
serted that he had never conferred with the
American authorities since the capitulation
of Manila and that he had never author
lied the insurgents to search or disarm
Americans crossing the lines.
The correspondent closely questioned him
about last Saturdays incident when the
Pennsylvania troops proceeded to establish
a new outpost The Filipinos objected and
nearly precipitated hostilities ordering the
Americans to withdraw in twenty minutes
They issued ammunition and intercepted the
American reinforcements Finally General
Hale ordered all the Pennsylvanians to ad-
vance, and the rebels withdrew.
The local governor has explained that the
incident was a complete mistake and has
repudiated his subordinates' action Agui-
naldo declared to this correspondent 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 disseminating false reports for the
purpose of fomenting antagonism between
the Filipinos and the Americans
The whole interview conveyed the i'm
preston that Aguinaldo desires absolute in
dependence, regards the mission of the
Americans here as accomplished and expects
their withdrawal, lust as the French with
Lafayette withdrew after helping the Amer
leans In the war of independence, war of
humanity" Just now Aguinaldo maintains
the role of extreme friendship.