Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-16
AGUINALDO AS A LEADER
How He Become Chief of Insur-
gents,
Though bnt Twonty-ninc Years OLD,
His Friends sny He Ranks as Tru-
Grcat-His Compact with Span
iards and His Rciurn TO Manila.
baltimore Sun.]


ty-nine years old, is one OF the leading
figures in the eyes of the world. His
friends say he is one of the great men
Of the age: his enemies, that he is at
least 4 wonderful man.
He comes of good family in the
province of Cavite. near Manila, where
he was educated and where he entered
the bar. lie Joined the insurgents soon
after the outbreak of the rebellion, in
the latter part of 1896, but it was not
until after the hanging of DIR. Rial,
the Filipino patriot. that he became
one of the leaders of the revolt
The blockade maintained by the
Spanish squadron in Philippine waters
against the importation OF arms fo1. the
insurgents gradually drove the Filipi-
nos to the wall, and in December. 1887
the celebrated qualification" of the ISL
ands was negotiated, the go-between
being Senior Pedro Palermo, director of
the Manila Museum, Filipino who
had remained at least passively loyal
to the Spanards The Filipino junta
at that time was composed of Emilio
Aguinaldo. who exercised such eXccu-
tive powers as We're possible to so fee
bic an organization: Senior Artacho.
home secretary; Senior montenegro
secretary. and Baldomero Aguinaldo. n
cousin OF Emilio. secretary of the
treasury.
THE "PACIFICATION."
The so-called "pacification' consisted
IN purchase of the insurgent leaders
Tor 100000 in Mexican silver, equal to
about 100000 in gold. Aguinaldo and
his associates agreed to surrender ali
The arms in the possession of the ma
tiVes and TO quit the archipelago. re-
manning away at the pleasure of the
spanish government, and to use their
utmost influence to disband and disarm
MI the inSurEent forces
Aguinaldo was to 20 to Hong Kong
TO receive the first tnstalment of the
spanish money, amounting to $500. 600
and he was then to cable 10 Artacho
who had surrendered to tho Spanish
captain general as n hostage. On re-
celvlnG ASuinaldo's cable message that
tho money had been paid, Ar;acho was
10 dissolve the nsurgent organization.
dlsband the troops and give up their
arms. This part of the program was
carried out in December. 1897, and the
early part OF January, 1895.
The cash payment was divided
among the junta. and Aguinaldo start
ed FOR Paris lie had gone no further
than singapore. when the destruction
or the Maine In Havana harbor
brought on an acute tension OF the re-
lations between the United States and
spain, and he remained in Singapore
10 see whether the Filpinos might not
profit by SPANS difficulties.
ALLIANCE WITH UNITED STATES.
1t was then that occurred the nego-
tiations with Consul Pratt. which.
AIuinaldo now says. I'm part justify his
assertion that the United States made
an alliance with him by which he was
n isst Ia
from the Philippines. and in return the
united States was to recognize the in
dependence of the Filipino republic.
lie was taken TO Manila from Hong
Kong on one of Dcwey's auxiliary yes
sells and soon armed and equipped n
large force. This force. as is we'll
known. co-oncrated at first with the
Americans. but gradually grew dis
trustful and hostile.
POSSESSES EXECUTIVE ABILITY
Aguinaldo is admitted TO have great
executive ability and IL an ardent stu
dent OF history. lie is OF the Japonesa
type Ill appearance, having broad
suuare forehead, rather large eyes, set
WIuc apart, and straight nose. His
heiEht IS about five feet four inches
and ne carries himself erect. His colo,.
Is light chocolate. He speaks ana
writes Spanish and ragalos. the native
language of the Island of I.uzon. and
understands English fairly WELL
INSIGNIA OF OFFICE.
When AEuinaIdo became president or
me Filipino republic lie continued Tho
,ripai system in the provinces and vii
IageS. laid down Il rough code of an
clal etiquette and closed the state name,
win directions as to insignia of of1icc
IN this he prescribed for himself a col.
lar OF gold triangle badge OF gold
II whistle of gold and IL cane with ba,J
and tassels of gold.
WILL pIEpoxtr