Evening star., 1899-01-28


From Photograph Taken in Yokohama.
In fact. the Dominicans finally sent him
home in sheer despair. Agunaldo then
entered the normal school of the Jesuits.
Here he made some progress; but at this
time his father died, when the youth was
forced to return home to take care Of his
patrimOny, which was threatened by the
lawsuits instituted by the Order of the
Recoliectos-an organization composed of
the greatest land proprietors of the colony.
As RevolutiOnist.
1t was in 1893 that Dr. Rial created the
Philippine League, the object of which
to unite politically the various parts of the
archipelago. Rizal was banished, but
shortly afterward the Order Of Katpunan
was formed, which soon had more than
10000 members. The object of this So
ciety was cooperation for the protection of
the colonists.
The government, then fearing an alliance
of this society with the Free Masons and
the various secret orders hostile to Spanish
rule, began to take active measures against
it. Aguinaldo was suspected of being one
of the leaders. A Spanish officer, with a
squad of native soldiers, came to arrest
him. Aguinaldo, when confronted by the
officer. promptly shot him, then eloquently
appealed to his companions to leave the
service Of their foreign oppressors and
strike a blow for liberty
The soldiers received his words With ac-
claim, and instantly chose him as their
leader. He then sought the Businesses of
the forest, where he was soon Joined by
thousands Of his countrymen-all flaming
to join the standard of revolt.
His Personal Appearance.
Aguinaldo is short of stature, with a
wel-knit figure. He has the Japanese cast
of face and wears a black pompadour,
which heightens that impression. His coun-
tenance is imperturbabe; it is notable for
it's serious expression. During the rebel
lion he was in hourly fear Of assassination,
for a reward of $4,000 had been offered by
the Spaniards for his head, and this prize
had brought into his camp a host of merce-
naries seeking convenient opportunity to
gain the coveted reward. He has unbound
ed influence with his countrymen, and no
one betrayed him or attempted to make an
assault upon his life for the reward.
The headquarters of Aguinaldo were in
the former house of rich native of Cavite.
With him We're his staff and his mother
and several of his relatives. These he
kept with him to secure them from Span
ish vengeance. In front of the broad,
roomy house is a paved court and on each
side a trusted number of stalwart insur-
gents constantly kept guard. The uniform
Of these soldiers is cheap native home
spun their arms are of the crudest de-
scriptiOn; but they made up IL loyalty
what they lacked in training.
The general himself usually wore spot
less suit of white linen, white shirt with
a well-polished front, a high collar and a
black necktie. He wore red velvet slippers
embroidered in gold. In his office We're a
modern desk, piled high with documents; a
large mirror, two large strong iron boxes
which served as a safe for the moneys of
the lnSurgent government, and a grand
piano Of Spanish make. Against a hatrack
leaned the rebel standard and on the wall
hung map of the province. This the gem
eral used to scan eagerly, tracing the
movements and disposition of his troops.
How AguinaIdo Governs.
Aguinaldo was usually surrounded by va
rious members Of his staff, none of whom,
however, was as impressive as himself |
believe Aguinaldo to be sincere and patri-
otlc He has surely proved himself an able
general. He is bravery personited and in
asmuch as the F'ilipinos admire this above
all other attributes, Aguinaldo is always at
the head. He is a born leader and has
just enough tact TO adopt expediencies and
make compromises, yet not seem to do So
In everything he takes the initiative In
no event does he consult any one. He
brooks no opposition. He has had no rivals
in reality. There have been one or two
would-be ones, but they could not with
stand him. He is perhaps not always scru-
puiouS as to the attainment of his ends vet
his proclamatlons are wise and moderate,
his conduct all one would desire in even a
European dictator. Moreover, few have
SHOWN themselves so modest and so merci-
full.
There is a tremendous magnetism about
the man, and whenever he addresses his
troops he holds them with a grip that
would be spellbound but for the rapt at
eeH.lon and Tor the devotion that is vo-
cl1erously manifested. The natives too
seem to be unable, as we'll as unwilling to
get away from his power, and to ali ap-
the hour. ~ -"'' VI
or course, I do not agree with him in
everything he does, but knowing his sim
cerity, and believing that he makes his
spectacular display merely to impress the
natives and hold their alieoiapna -. ..lo
fore admire him and hope that the Ameri-
cans VIII cooperate with him to give us a
STABLE Philippine government. At ali events
tne man strong personality and his larpe
following cannot, I believe, well bs To-
nored by the American government.