Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-09-17
GEN. AGU|NALDO TALKS
Makes It Plain That Absolute In
dependence Is Expected
Americans Are Only Allies-Expected ts
Withdraw After Spanish Rule Is
Ended-The Assembly to Con-
vene Soon-No Clash
With Americans.

NftnufaW AFTER spanish huio As
Ended-The Assembly to Con-
vene soon-No Clash
With Americans.
MANILA, Sept. 12-Rear Admiral
Dewey says he considers the situation
critical. 1t is understood he has asked
an additional cruiser and battleship.
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 Liocos
and Laguna have surrendered, and the
whole island of Luzon is in the hands of
the insurgents except at Manila and
Cavite. Aguin:'ldo went to Lellolos on
Friday. He has announced his inten-
tion of convening an assembly of the
PHILIPPINES on September Is, in order to
decide upon the policy to be adopted by
insurgents.
The correspondent here Of the Asso-
ciated Press has had an interview with
Aguinaldo, who said there were 67 900
insurgent, armed with rifles. He added
he could raise 100, 900 more. Indeed, the
nsurgent leader pointed out the whole
population on the Philippine islands
was willing to fight for their indie
pendence.
Continuing, Aguinaldo said he had
3,060 military prisoners, including 5000
in the vicinity of Manila, besides civil
prisoners. Later Aguinaldo said the
provisional government" was now
operating twenty-eight provinces. He
asserted that on August I'd 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 correspond
ent being unable to answer this ques-
ton, Aguinaldo continued:
I'VE have been fighting for independ-
ence for a 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
leans retaining coaling station if
recognizing the independence of the
islands OF to esta blishing temporary
protectorate over themY"
Aguinaldo again refused to answer.
Aguinaldo said he was confident there
would be no trouble between America
and the Filipinos. The insurgent leader
denied having received a request from
Gen. Otis and Rear Admiral Dewey to
withdraw his troops to prescribed dis
tance from Manila and Cavlte, and he
declined to discuss the effect of such a
request.
Aguinaldo further asserted that he
had never conferred with the American
authorities since the capitulation of
Manila and that he never authorized
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 new outpost. The
Filipinos objected and nearly precipi.
tated hostilities, ordering the Ameri-
ans to withdraw in twenty minutes.
hey issued ammunition and inter-
epted the American reinforcements.
Finally Gen. Hale ordered all the Penn.
sylvanians to advance and the rebels
withdrew.
The local governor has explained
that the incident was complete mis-
take and has repudiated his subordi.
mates action Aguinaldo declared to
this correspondent that the Filipino
who made the trouble merely pretended
to be an officer and is entirely uncon
nected with the insurgent army
Aguinaldo complained that the Span
iards were disseminating false reports
for the purpose of fomenting antagon
ism between the Filipinos and the
Americans.
The whole interview conveyed the
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 Lafayett,
withdrew after helping the Americans
in the war of independence, war o
humanity"
Just now Aguinaldo maintains thu
role of extreme friendship.