The National tribune., 1900-06-21

gon, where he commanded, to have resort
ed to the most cruel barbarities.
The last crowning act of atrocity told
Is that of burning alive % of his own
men who had rebelled against him. Ac-
cording to this account he ordered them to
be stripped, bound hand and foot and
thrown into a small hut, which, after be-
ing saturated with oil, was set on fire and
the shrieking occupants consumed.
The authorities in Manila have just re-
eeived an extensive petition from the in
habitants of Legaspi recounting his evil
doings in that town and asking for his
execution. The contents of the treasure
chest which he surrendered has been in
ventoried and reported to contain nearly
100000 in money, jewels and plate.
Having had the authority of the Cap
tain of Police not long ago to secure the
transfer of prisoner, it did not occur to
either of US that great difficulty would
be experienced in obtaining what we
sought. But the Sergeant said that
neither the Chief of Police nor the Cap
tain in charge could give US such per-
NIT, and that it could only be secured
from the Provost t-Marshai-General. Ac-
cordingly, we visited that officer. "No,"
said Col. Williston, when we reached his
Office. Il cannot grant such request at
this time. Paua being a State prisoner,
you Will have to get the authority of Gen.
Otis in order TO see him."
A NATIVES OPINION OF PAUA.
Then we bctOok ourselves to the Palace
and sought the intercession of Capt.
Greene. Assistant Secretary to the Gov
ernor. Il will lay the matter before Gen.
Otis. and let you know some time during
the day" was his reply. Coming out of
the Secretary's apartments we met
well-dressed Filipino, whom my compan-
ion recognized as Amanda Airan, late
Military Governor of Sarsogon under the
lnsurgent regime, and a cousin to Agui-
naldo. / was introduced, and my COM
panion mentioned to Airan the purpose Of
our visit, and inquired casually what he
(he late Governor) thought Of Paua.
"Paua is a beast" he said, yehemently,
"end all the atrocities reported Of him
are true and many more besides"
"And how about Gen. Belarmino"
asked my companion, referring to the
General now in command Of the Insurg-
ent forces in the Province of Albay.
''Paua is q beast, and Belarmino is
even worse, except that BeIarmno is not
80 responsible, because he has really no
mind of his own"
After some further conversation, we
left the late Governor of Sarsogon, and
/ asked my companion how he had come
TO resign his high position.
WHEREABOUTS OF AGUINALDo.
"Simply because in some way he found
II to his advantage to do So" was the re-
ply. He is not the most reliable person
In the world, and IL he chose to do SO
could undoubtedly tell the whereabouts of
AguiHaldo."
'Then why not see him again." / sug-
fested: "between him and Paua, who is
also related, we might be able to locate
the Filipino chief"
Later in the day visited Capt. Greene
again, who told me he had laid our re-
quest before Gen. Otis, and he said that
be could not permit anyone to visit Paua
Tor the purpose of an interview. / ex-
planned to him our project with reference
to locating Aguinaldo.
You better lay the matter before the
Provost Marshal General" he said. Go
Ing to the office of the latter, / did so at
once, and the Colonel, who is veteran of
the civil war, said: What do we want
Of Aguinaldo? We don't want him any
more than the North wanted Jefferson
Davis at the close of the rebellion. He
l think Gen. Otis knows where he is If
be chose TO locate him.
After having given the agile Filipino
a residence in nearly every city of the
Orient, not to speak of the islands of the
archipelago; after having him die OF
SMALLPOX, and having him assassinated
by Igorottcs, it would not be an impos
sible thing il he were already in durance
here in Manila under another name: and
such might be the import of Col. Willis
tons rcmark.
Tagalos aIc not difficult TO find who re
semble AgUinaldo quite closely, and il he
had been captured in fatigue suit, he is
not of the size or remarkable personality
to indicate his prominence Besides, should
he actually give a different name than his
own, the authorities might be deceived or
deem il wise to accept him at his word.
As a working hypothesis this view might
at least be worthy Of investigation; while
the fact that so many of his family. Cab
met Officers and Generals have already
been captlrcd III no wise conflicts with it.
MANY INsURGENT OFFICERS CAPTURED.
Among the principal oftic..rs Of the In
sUrgent Goyc.nTn. -t organized at Malo-
los, Apolinario Mabini was Prime Minis
ter and Secretary of Foreign Affairs. He
was captured t.; Gen. Macarthur en- Dec
IL last in northern I.uzon and has been
here in Manila since. just ROW being in
the Anda Street Prison.