The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-13
AGUINALDO'S BOYHoOD
NEW ORLEANS INTERVIEW WITH
sCHOOLMATE OF FILIPINO LEADER.
Was Once Editor and Pro-
prietor Of a Boys Paper-Every-
day Life of the Filipino.

oTapner ana typewriter TO serve at the
army headquarters in Manila, concluded his
civil examination at the custom house yes
terday and has strong hopes of securing
the job. Mr. Rodriguez is a man Of edu-
cation and culture. and in appearance is a
typical member of his race. He is short
wiry and agile. and his features bear a
marked resemblance to portraits of Agui-
naldo.
Il used to go 20 school with Aguinal-
do" he remarked TO a reporter who called
yesterday at his Office, at No. 436 Common
street, land 1 know him and his two
brothers very well. We attended the San
Juan Seminary in Manila. 1t is Cath
Ollie institution and is designed to fit young
men for two professions only. the law and
the church. We studied Latin. philosophy.
pedagogy. Roman and international law,
the doctrines of personal rights and theol-
ogy. One had to be a graduate of an
academy or first school before entering.
'Aguinaldo was a hard student con-
tined Mr.. Rodriguez. He used to literally
turn night into day. and it was at the
college that he acquired his pronounced
ideas on republicanism. When he was
only sixteen years old he started a little
paper-a boys paper-called La Republica.
1 took a great interest in the enterprise.
for my father was newspaper man and /
was brought up to the trade. 1 wrote a
great deal of poetry, which 1 dare say
was very poor. Anyhow, La Republica did
not last very long. 1 doubt whether there
is a copy Of it now in existence.
I'm his school days Aguinaldo was very
quiet boy. but everybody liked him. He
was good-hearted and charitable, and had
is extremely we'll educated, and finished his
schooling abroad. / don't know where his
two brothers are at present. They used to
live at Cavite. One of our intimates at col
lege, by the way. was DR.. Rial, who later
on started the last war against the Span
iards. He was an able man and exercised a
great influence on Aguinaldo.''
Have the well-to-do Filpinos a good
education as a ruler" asked the visitor.
Yes. There is little Filipino who some
times comes into this office. He was edu-
Gated for the law, but is now a common
sailor. 1t would surprise you to hear him
talk. He can converse on any topic in
scholarly manner, and frequently speaks of
the war. not merely of news events, but
discussing 1t from a philosophic standpoint.
Of good family. They are thoroughly edu-
Gated In everything except English and
English literature"
FILIPINO LIFE.
Tell me something about everyday life
among the Fflipinos," said the reporter, I'm
what respect do their customs differ most
strikingly from ours?"
Well" replied Mr.. Rodriguez, there are
two ways of living in Manila One is very
cheap and one is very expensive. All ex-
cept the rich live very cheaply 1t costs the
upper class about the same as it does here
Fruit is the principal food of the common
people, and the banana plays a very i'm
portapt part-more important than bread
nve dinerent ways of preparing bananas
but they are commonly ground into flour
ana mace into cakes. which are very pal
banana flour to live on several DAYS. The
upper class use Spanish cooking exclusive
~ and the prices at the fashionable cafes
are ABOUT what they are In New Orleans
one cannot get good dinner for less than
a dollar: The ice used is nearly all natural
Ice, and is brought from the mountains
THE rich Fflipinos have elegant resi-
dences, and everybody employs troops of
servants. A man earning $50 a month
garding social intercourse are very strict
To get on calling footing at house is
often the work Of years: One must be
in Europe. Promiscuous calling on young
ladies is strictly interdicted. and the usual
American courtship would be regarded with
companion about my own age accosted a
young girl on the street and told her She
was very pretty. She belonged to a Span
hunted up my friend. who insisted that he
ment. My sister knows she is pretty,
sad the from as does hs not desire
card. Next day the two met in a room
and exchanged shots at few PAGES. Both
made pretext by the Spanish authorities
TO squeeze money out of my father, and
he paid them nearly 5000 to prevent my
Were the Spaniards as oppressive as they
have been described?" the reporter asked.
TYRANNICAL STANDARDS.
eyes, fully" replied Mr.. Rodriguez. his
eyes sparkling with angry recollections.
They looked down on the Filipinos because
Of their dark color and never missed an
opportunity to insult and humiliate them.
The taxes were outrageous and the coun-
try was ridden by idle priests The average
Filipino is naturally of religious temper
ament, and has great faith in the efficacy
of prayer. In our house we prayed reg
ularly nine times day-upon rising. before
breakfast. after breakfast, before and after
dinner. before and after supper. in the
evening and just De1Ore going 10 Ded. All
of our neighbors did the. same. The Fill.
ipinos live In an atmosphere OF continual
supplication."
What do you think of the outlook for the
war;"
TT cannot last great while. The re-
sources of the Filipinos are limited and they
will become exhausted. They are making q
terrible mistake, but 1t is not due to wicked
ness. They are simply fgnortant OF this
country, its resources and its policy. They
imagine that the Americans want to drive
them away and take their country. They
are not used to dealing with honest people
You must remember they have never come
in contact with anybody except the Span
iards. If they understood the situation as
IL really is they would throw down their
guns. and welcome the Americans as saw
iors.''
How do you feel yourself about taking
service in any army that is fighting your
countrymen?"
II feel this way about it," replied Mr.
Rodriguez earnestly. II am going, If / an
believe the American cause to be just, and
| feel / can occupy that kind of a position
without sacrifice of honor. could not &c
into the ranks. II would be impossible fol
me to take up arms against my own peo'
pie, but do not believe any American Off
Ger would ask me TO do such thing oil
blame me for refusing. But II, for instance
was told TO 60 TO such and such an insur'
gent camp and do my best to convince the
leaders of their error, i would do so gladly
hope that may be ordered TO carry sucf
a message for / believe / could make my
self valuable. / know nearly all the leaders
personally and my family is we'll liked or
the island. My father, who is now dead
was especially popular among the poorer
people, to whom he was always very kind
Ny mother died last year in Chicago and
determined then that / would never leave
this country, but would like to look at m,