The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-09-13
AGUINALDO'S AMBITION.
No Desire For Annexation to the
United States.
WANT ONLY INDEPENDENCE n

He Declares That the Fiiiplnos who
Profess to Favor Annexation Are
Insincere-Mer eroly Ruse to Ascer-
tain American Views.
Manila, Philippine Islands, Sept. 10
Rear Admiral Dewey says he consid
ers the situation critical. 1t is under
stood he has asked for an additional
cruiser and battleship. The Span
iards assert that Spain will take a
coallng 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 of the island of Luzon Is in the
hands of the insurgents, except at
Manila and Cavite.
Agunaldo went to Malolos on Fri
day. He has announced his intention
of convening an assembly Of the Fill
pinos on Sept. IS, in order to decide
upon the policy to be adopted by the
insurgents.
A correspondent here has had an in
terview with Aguinaldo who said there
were $1,000 insurgents armed with ri
fles. He added he could raise 100 900
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 Lad
5000 military prisoners, including 5000
in the vicinity of Manila, besides civil
prisoners.
Later Aguinaldo said the provincial
government" was now operating rs
| provinces. He asserted that on Aug. 2
they elected delegates, in numbers
proportionate to the population.
| AS to the Americans, Aguinaldo re-
marked that he considered them as
! brothers and that the two sovereign
republics were allied against a common
! enemy"
When questioned as to whether the
future Filipino policy would be abso-
lutte independence, Aguinaldo excused
himself from replying, and asked what
America intends to do.
The correspondent being unable to
answer this question, Aguinaldo con-
tinued:
I'VE have been fighting for indepen-
| dence for long time. The natives who
profess to favor annexation are insin-
cere. 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 Amer
lea retaining a coaling station, If recog-
nizing the independence of the islands
or establishing a temporary protecto-
rate over them?"
Aguinaldo again declined to answer
Pending the conclusion of the assem-
bly,, Aguinaldo said, he was confident
there would be no trouble between
America and the Filipinos.
received a request from General Otis
and Rear Admiral Dewey to withdraw
his troops to a prescribed distance
from Manila and Cavite. and he declln-
ed to discuss the effect of such a re-
quest.
! AGuinaldo further asserted that he
had never conferred with the Ameri-
can authorities since the capitulatlon
OF Manila, and that he had never au-
thorized the insurgents to search or
disarm Americans crossing the lines.
The correspondent closely questioned
him about last Saturdays incident,
when the Pennsylvania troops proceed
! ed to establish a new outpost. The
FliipinOs objected and nearly precipi-
tated hostilities, ordering the Ameri-
cans to withdraw in 20 minutes. They
issued ammunition and intercepted the
American reinfOrcements. Finally
General Hale ordered all the Pennsyl-
vanians to advance, and the rebels
} withdrew
The local governor has explained thai
the incident was a complete mistake
and has repudiated his subordinates
action. Aguinaldo declared to this cor,
respondent that the Filipino who mad,
the trouble merely pretended to be al
officer, and is entirely unconnected witt
the insurgent army.
Aguinaldo complained that the Span
! iards were disseminating false reports
for the purpose Of fomenting antagon
ism between the Filipinos and th'
Americans"
The whole interview conveyed thu
impression that Aguinaldo desires alb.
solute Independence, regards the mis-
sion of the Americans here as accom-.
plished, and expects their withdrawal
Just as the French with Lafayette
withdrew after helping the Americans
in the war of independence, war O.
humanity"
Just now Aguinaldo maintains tn
role of extreme friendship.