The San Francisco call., 1899-01-29


late the masterpieces of Rome with facil-
ity he is ready for the University of st.
Thomas. This, like the college, is under
| the DominiCans. In the university the
principal studies are physics, meta
physics, theology, Jurisprudence, law and
> medicine.
Aguinaldo was adjudged a very dull
3 student and gave no promise of distinc-
\ tion In fact, the Dominicans finally sent
MIN home in sheer despair. AguinaIdo
then entered the normal school of the
Jesuits. Here he made some progress;
3 out at this time his father died, when the
. youth was forced to return home to take
\ care of his patrimony, which was threat
y ened by the lawsuits instituted by the
Order of the Recollectos-an organization
composed of the greatest land prop-ietors
> of the colony.
5 1t was in 1893 that DR.. RizaI created the
. Phllppine League, the object of which
was to unite politically the various parts
OF the archipelago. Rizal was banished.
out shortly afterward the order of Kati-
\ punan was formed which soon had mora
than 250,0O0 members The object of this
society was cooperation for the protec-
4 ton of the colonists.
The government then, fearing an alli-
, ance OF this society with the Free Masons
D and the various secret orders hostile to
: Spanish rule. began to take active meas
ures against it. Aguinaldo was suspected
, OF being one of the leaders. 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 COM
. panlons to leave the service of their for
3 eign oppressors and strike a blow for
s 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.
) Aguinaldo is short of sature, with a
well knit figure; He has the Japanese
, dour, which heightens that impression;
, his countenance is imperturbable; ii is
notable for its serious expression. During
the rebellion he was in hourly fear of as
) sassination reward of $25, 900 had been
of1ered by the SpaniardS Tor his head and
p this prize had brought into his camp
) host OF mercenarieS seeking a convenient
. opportunity to gain the coveted reward.
He has unbounded influence with his own
countrymen, and no one betrayed him or
) attempted to make an assault upon his
' life for the reward
The headquarters of Aguinaldo were in
8 the former house of a rich native of Ca
? mother and several of his relatives. These
0 he kept with. him to secure them from
roomy house, Is paved court, and on
o each side trusted number of stalwart
0 uniform of these soldiers is a cheap ma
9~tiZe homespun; their arms are of the
O crudest description: but they made up in
' loyalty what they lacked in training.
@ The general himself usually wore spot
8 less suit of white linen, white shirt with
: .well-polished front. high collar and
. a black necktie. He wore red velvet slip
; pers, embroidered in gold. In his office
!. was modern desk, piled high with docu-
' ments, large mirror. two large, strong
, iron boxes which served as a safe for the
5 moneys of the insurgent government, and
: a grand piano of Spanish make. Against
\ IN " n o
) This the general used to scan eagerly.
tracing the movements and disposition Of
) his troops.
Aguinaldo was usually surrounded by
various members of his staff, none OF
whom; however, was as impressive as
and patriotic. He has surely proved him
self an able general He is bravely per-
; sonified, and inasmuch as the Filipinos
Aguinaldo is always at the head. He is a
! born leader. and has just enough tact to
adopt eXpediencies and make compro-
misses, yet he does 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
withstand him. He is perhaps not always
scrupulous as to the attainment of his
ends. yet his prOclamationS are wise and
moderate. his conduct all one would desire
in even a European dictator. Moreover,
| few have shown themselves so modest
and merciful.
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
tention and for the devotion that Is vo-
ciferously manifested. The natives. too,
seem to be unable as we'll as unwilling to
get away from his power, and to all ap-
pearance. he is to the islanders the man
of the hour.
OF course. 1 do not agree with him in
everything he does. but. knowing his sin
I1aItz
spectacular display merely to impress the
natives and hold their allegiance, there
fore admire him, and hope that the
Americans will cooperate with him to
give us a stable Philippine government.
At all events, the mans strong person
ality and his large following cannot,
believe, we'll be ignored by the American
Government.