The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-02-01

New York. January 26-The World
tomorrow win publish Via IL claims
to be an authenticated interview with
Aguinab1o. obtained by an American.
a trusted agent OF Carlo Rubino. a
prominent merchant in Maniia II was
forwarded here through the mails.
Aguinaldo was found in the Filipino
capital by Senior Rubino.s agent. the
identity OF whom IS kept an inviolate
secret, but 1t is known that he is an
American. In years gone by he was a
high salaried employe OF Russell & Co,
Of Hong Kong, Manila. Yokohama.
Canton. Shanghai. San Francisco and
New York. The firm was the oldest
American house in the orient and the
richest. 1t went down in h crash of
1893.
My letters to A~guinaldo." says
Senior Rubino's agent. were carefully
scrutinized by him and his aides de
confidence, but as they were from
those whom he knew 10 be his trusted
friends, he received me without re-
straint or hesitation. / remained
there four days and was the recipient
of his full confidence and had from him
most unreServed expression of his sem
timents and purposes as well as his
ideas concerning the condition OF his
country, and the great struggle now
going on there.
Il was astonished at his knowledge
Of the history of the United States and
its great statesmen since the war of
the revolution. The subject of amnes-
ty was gone over very thoroughly. 1
asked him If he would accept amnesty
nfarn6 hv thu nnra vniccfan cnDr Att
by the United States government.
He replied: No. / will not accept
amnesty. / would not trust them. I
AVE not forgotten the professions OF
friendship and support given me by
Dewey and Otis and all of them, espe-
cially Wildman. My army fought with
and for them to beat the Spanish under
promises most solemnly given that we
were to have independence. All these
solemn promises " been repudiated
by them all. No. amnesty means sla-
very n obedience to the will of Nc
Kinley.'
How about the people?' asked.
DO you not believe the condition of
your people would be improved IL they
accepted the amnesty now offered?'
NO he replied. To accept amnes-
ty means shame, infamy. slavery, deg
radiation. Personally 1t means impris-
Onment for me. What else am I to ex-
pect? And what for my poo people
but serfdom. What would their fore
fathers have said of George Washing
ton had he accepted amnesty from
George III? He fought from 1776 to
1882, and all offers Of amnesty were
properly treated with scorn. They were
right. You ask me what we want. 1
reply, liberty. The right of the Filipi-
nos to govern themselves. a govern
ment of our own"
But said L. here are assurances
Assurances and promises he in
terposed with great warmth, given
only to be disregarded and repudiated.
I tell you I will never trust them. Nor
will my people. Never. Say to them
that their amnesty will not be consid.
cred. My people wou no longer
respect me were 1 to do So
Then it may be war for many
years. 1 said. You must knew that
the American government is strong,
powerful and rich
Enthusiastically ne replied, and 1t
may be a long and terrible struggle for
liberty but until the Filipino nation
shall have a government Of Its own.
this war will go on. 1 believe that il
there were a change of administration
we would gain our freedom. We will
AVE a republic patterned mainly after
that Of the United States. Their origi-
nal system is admirable. but not as adj
miniStered now"