The Mena star. (Mena, Ark.) 1898-1904, 1898-09-21
AGUINALDO'S NERVE
He Thinks It Is Time for Americans
to Evacuate Manila.
Thinks Wa Have Fulfilled Our MissIon and
should Leave the whole TO Him-In-
teresting News from Otis-stosy
About Dewey and Merritt.


general assembly was inaugurated a.
Malolos Thursday with great enthu-
siasm. There were thousands of Wis.,
itors from the provinces, and n great
display was made Aguinaldo, at nine
o'clock in the morning, entered the
hall OF the convent recently occupied
by the Spanish local government
The correspondent of the Associated
press had private interview with
Aguinaldo, who is extremely unwilling
to comprise himself with the natives
He said that majority OF the Filipinos
had been struggling for freedom for
years and centuries and that they now
believe that object has been attained.
Aguinaldo protested entire ignorance
of the autonomous system in vogue In
the British colonies, of protectorates
and of American state autonomy. He
refused to discuss the American army
and protested his undying gratitude to
the Americans. He said they had come
to thePhilippines to fight the Spaniards
only, and, now that they had finished
the task, it was to be expected that
they would return to America He
was unwilling to believe that the
Americans would demand a reward
for an act of humanity. The Filipino
leader ex pressed himself confident thas
the newly founded government would
build a navy ultimately. In the mean
time, he said, the great nation should
protect and aid young nation, instead
OF grabbing her territory. Ii the
Americans should refuse to withdraw,
the national assembly, he said, must
decide the policy to be pursued-a poll
icy which he declined to forecast
Interesting News From Gen. Otis.
Washington. Sept 1.-THE follow
ing dispatch was received yesterday
from Gen. Otis at Manila:
In my opinion based upon present fndicn-
tions. further force required. Insurgents
leaders In politics and army in excitable frame
OF mind, but better portion amenaole to reason
and desire to make approved reputation before
civilized world Manila very quiet Military
government being perfected gradually and
large force policing and cleaning city. Health
OF command satisfactory. Trade and conf.
merce active. Treasury receipts since August
IA, s540,0 900 Mexican current money. Philippines
monthly expenses will aggregate at least $50,
600, nearly one-han required to subsist 1900
Spanish prisoners. Believe that receipts VIII
largely exceed expenditures Tariffs and
July H. but received in currency OF country as
gold basis would almost double former Spanish
duties. United States laws applied for admis-
sion of Chinese and opium; sales OF licenses fos
lotteries and other pastimes opposed to public
morals, discontinued
Filipinos Friendly to Americans.
New York, Sept. 30. The following
dispatch has been received at the Office
here of the Associated press:
tia Crr nj
desires to inform the American governments
and people that the many rumors circulated
regarding the strained relations between the
Filipino and American forces are base, malici~
Gus ISLANDERS OF the enemy to both parties, are
without any truth and circulated for this:
| purpose OF prejudicing the appeal OF the Fill
| pinos for their release from the oppression and
| cruelty OF Spain The relations Of our people
and yours have been and will continue TO be 81
| the most friendly nature, and we have with
] drawn our forces from the suburbs OF Manila
| additional evidence OF our condolences In
the great American republic -Aguinaldos
Story About Dewey and Merritt
Washington, Sept. 19.-The dis
patches received from Gen. Otis afford
ed the president and the members Of
the cabinet much satisfaction. The
administration is now confident that
no further trouble from the Philippine
/ islanders is to be feared. 1t is admit
ted in administration circles that the
condition of things at Manila has inn
proved very much since Gen. Merritfs
departure. Gen. Merritt and Admiral
Dewey are said not to have worked i'm
perfect harmony. Gen. Otis and the
admiral are in thorough accord and
the result has been a very decided and
a very gratifying Improvement in tfie1
situation since Gen. Merritt turned
over his command to Gen. Otis The
department has had no word from Gen.
Merritt, but he is expected to arrive
| in Paris about the same time the peace
commission gets there.
Somebody La Backing Aguinaid0.
New York, Sept. 20.-A dispatch to
the New York Herald from Manila.
September II. says: "A high official
| OF Aguinaldo's government informs me
that the dictator has secured fnan-
cial backing from European nation.
He declines to say what nation it
is. According to his talk the insur-
gents will be prepared for any con-
| tingency, no matter what the result OF
the Paris peace conference may be.
My informant asserts that the rebels
cannot be subdued by the United
States or Spain. They will fight for
freedom without ceasing."
New York, Sept. 20.-The London