Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1901-04-26
HAS CHANGED HIS TUNE.
Aguinnldo Announces His Belief
That American Sovereignty Is
Preferable to Independence.

Manila, April GA representative
Monday afternoon at Sc Solano
street, whittier he was removed from
the Malacanan, and found him in
large room upstairs, furnished with
table, typewriting machine, three
settees and 90 chairs. His wife, who
was entertaining number of Fill
pino women, friends, sat at one end
of the room, while Aguinaldo, smok-
ing cigar and chatting with Benito
Legardo, occupied the opposite cor
ner. Others present were Lieut.. Col.
John S. Mallory, of the Forty-first
volunteer infantry, who has charge
of Aguinaldo; Lieut.. Gilbert A.
Youngberg, of the Third artillery,
and Mr.. Fisher, Gen. MacArthur's
private secretary.
Aguinaldo, whose bearing was
courteous and dignified, was dressed
in white, looked well and altogether
made an excellent impression. Le-
gardo, who but recently returned
from the United States, was telling
him about the trip; and he seemed
intensely interested, smiling fre-
quently and asking numerous ques-
tions. He inquired particularly as to
what President Mckinley said and
seemed anxious to know what was
thought of him in the United States.
He was rather reluctant to talk for
publication and considered every
question carefully before answering.
He said he was doing all he could to
assist in the pacification of the Phil
ippines and expressed himself as sur
prised at what the Americans had
accomplished. When he was first cap
tured, he went on to say, he was
greatly astonished to find that a ma
jority of the Filipinos entertained
the opinion that American sover-
eighty was preferable to independ-
ence, but now he was inclined to be-
lieve that way himself. He explained
that since the dissolution of the in
surgent congress and the declaration
of guerrilla warfare the chiefs had
operated to all intents and purposes
Independently. They recognized him
as commander in chief, sending him
reports occasionally, and he issued
some orders, but for the last seven
months communication had been diff
ficult and he had been almost discon-
nected.
81 am now urging in the strongest
possible manner" said Aguinaldo,
that all insurgents should surrender
and swear allegiance to the United
States"
He expresses the opinion that Ti-
MO, Lusban, Malvar and other rep
resentative insurgents will surrender
as soon as they come to understand
the nature of the amnesty offered
them. He said he hoped that when
the work of pacification was COM
plete and conditions were settled the
prisoners in Guam would be released
After referring in grateful terms
to the courteous treatment accorded
him by the military authorities, he
declared his conviction that the civil
government which would follow paci-
fication would realize the highest
hopes of the Filipino people
When questioned regarding the re-
port that he would visit the United
States, he replied that he would like
to do so, but had made no plans as
yet, placing himself entirely at the
disposition of the United States gov
ernment.
In concluding the interview he OBJ
served: Every word in my address
to my countrymen, the Filipinos,
came from my heart. l hope the
Americans believe me thoroughly sim
cere in my efforts to secure peace
and, under American auspices, to pro-
mote the welfare and prosperity of
the Philippines"