The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1899-02-07
Alternative Of PlhDllOs Seeking
Independence.
one Talks Fresiy-Rebei Chief
stands out Against Arnexa-
tion-Ready For a Fight.

Aguinaldos special commission TO
Washington. The other three mem
bers OF the commission passed through
on the Nippon Maru last month.
General T.. Riego de Dios and Senior
NJ. Rivera are the commissioners now
In the city. They started from Manila
with the other members but were de-
tanned in Yokohama on account of the
sickness Of the General. General Dios
Is an old soldier and has been Agulnal-
dos companion throughout several
revolutions. He is a thorough Filipino.
has never been outside OF his native
country and speaks his native tongue
only. Mr.. Rivera is the secretary of
the commission. He is 20 years OF age
and is an interesting conversational.
He was educated in the English schools
Of Hongkong and mas been interested
in Aguinaldo's secrets and intrigues
from his boyhood days
Mr.. Rivera talked quite freely to the
Advertiser last evening.
"Aguinaldo's second proclamation"
said he, which he issued to his people
shortly after the departure OF our COM
mission from Manila, called for either
death or independence. Our Congress,
which is in session at Malolos, has
passed vote Of confidence in Agui-
naldo and authorized him to make war
on the Americans whenever he may
deem 1t advisable.
ton to the people of the Philippine
Islands cary in January, and titled
himself as Military Governor. He also
gave out impression that 1t was the
intention of the United States to annex
the Philippines, In responding to this
proclamation, Aguinaldo protested to
General Otis calling himself Military
Governor of the Philippines. Our Pres
ident solemnly proclaimed that he did
not place himself under any obligation
to acknowledge the sovereignty OF Am
erica in our beloved soil, either in
Singapore, Hongkong or the Philip
pines. On the contrary Aguinaldo in
sists that he was given to understand
by Admiral Dewey and General Mer-
rift that the purpose OF the United
States in waging war against the Span
iards was to give the Filipinos their
freedom and independence.
"Aguinaldo in his second proclama-
ton, in which he declares firmly for
absolute independence or death gives
in detail his side of the present con-
troversy. The proclamation was ad-
dressed to all foreign nations and stat
ed in positive terms that II hostilities
began, the United States alone was to
blame. This document created much
excitement throughout Manila and all
the provinces"
do you think that Aguinaldo ap-
preciated the military resources OF the
United States?"
| Eyes, fully" quickly responded Mr..
Rivera. "Aguinaldo knows that we are
weak and that the United States is
mighty, but that is not the issue. He
is seeking the freedom and independ-
ence of his people. II is that and moth
ing else. Aguinaldo and all his fol-
lowers will give up their lives before
submitting to American rule. II is In
dependence or Death"
Mr.. Rivera stated that Agunaldo
has never been outside of the Philip
pines except recently when he visited
Honkong and Shanghai.
The second and very sensational pro-
clamation issued by General Aguinaldo
was posted throughout Manila on Jan
uary s. Excitement soon rose to fever
heat. The Spaniards packed their
household goods and fed to the walled
city, while the insurgents went i'm
mediately to the insurgent lines.
| When the news reached the Ameri-
can headquarters and the purport of
| 'hc NdhilectO was lcdTItu, OIufio WcTe
sent to the headquarters of every regi-
ment on the island to keep the men
within quarters under arms, ready TO
respond at moments notice to any
emergency call. Guards all over the
city We're strengthened and every pos
sible precaution was taken against an
outbreak or disturbance.
Many insurgents who have been
working in the city left their positions
and went Hockirg to the lines outside
OF the city. AS result many BUSH
ness houses are short of help, and
some have even closed their places
temporarily.
Tho American, published In Manila,
in speaking OF the situation says:
While all indications at present
point to very strained condition of
affairs existing between the Americans
and the insurgents, 1t Is hoped that
OOOl calm Judgment will avoid an omen