Evening star., 1901-10-12
EW PUB OBLIGATIONS S

AGUINAIDO; Narrative OF Filipino Ambitions
By Edwin Wildman. Boston: Lothrop Publish
ing Company.
Mr.. Wildman was vice and deputy consul
general of the United States at Hong Kong
during the period when Aguinaldo first
came into international notice. He had a
personal acquaintance with the Tagal lead
er and was enabled to form a close esti-
mate of mis- character. When later he went
into the Philippines special correspond
ent during the insurrection this knowledge
of the man and his methods stood him in
good stead Of the former President of
the Philippine Republic Mr.. Wil6man
says:
Aguinado commshds the consideration of all who
have taken the trouble to study his character and
watch the trend of events OF which he is the CEN
tra figure. There is something in this little Taga-
log that inspires respect, something that commands
man, born in the wiids Of an outlying island un-
educated, uncutured, untraveled who possesses the
VINO mustered an army out of men who never
fought but with the knife, bow and arrow: who
plunder and destruction in race accustomed to
cruelty and oppression from the white man. In the
unique figure among the native races of the earth
than this Tagalog patriot-or rebel; call him what
you Will. Philosophers call silent men wise; SUPER
ficaI people call them ignorant Aguinaldo is wise
among his people, ignorant among Europeans. He
q
Tecumseh or a Sitting Bull. His name suggests no
metaphor. Yet the Aguinaldo known TO fame is
not the real Aguinaldo. The real Aguinaldo has a
personality and character quite different and apart
from that of popular conception. The Aguinaldo of
dnary appearng little Malay who has Seen an auiek SI
to learn and clever TO utilize the gifts God has
States Aguinaldo played peculiar and difficult
part Accredited with the ability apparent in the
borne his sienatare he possessed the ceverness to
assume the responsibility and maintain the dignity
norant neither is he the Intellectual strategist his
writings would make him appear. He does not pos
sess the genius the natives accredit him with,
is he the nondescript ignoramus pictured by his de-
tractors. He is shrewd enough TO know HIS limita-
,ions and has ability sufficient to promote his am
and 1t is well to realize them, for Aguinaldo Will
be a factor in Philippine affairs long as he
lives"
Mr. Wildman, in this book traces the
course of the Philippines insurrection from.
it's inception to the latest reported develop
ments, and declares that the war is over
and that the complete pacfcation must
now remain a matter for good administra-
ton and intelligent study of the native and
his needs. The book is profusely Illus
trated.
GENTS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITJT
TIoN; Showing the Operations, Expenditures
and Condition of the Institution for the Year
Ending June 80, 1900. Washington: Govern
ment Printing Office.
AS this report marks the close of the CEN
tury, considerable space is given to reviews
of the progress in various branches of
science during the nineteenth century, pre-
pared by men distinguished in their various
fields. The subjects thus reviewed are as
tronomy, chemistry, geology, physics, eIec-
tricity, geography. biology, medicine. psychj-
cal research, which. with article on the
century's great men of science furnish a
Of
last hundred years. China. which has fig
ured so much in the public eye during the
year past, Is given especial prominence.
There is a brief sketch Of the Pekin oh
servatory, the looting Of which created 40
much comment; an article by the Chinese
fulness between China and the United
States; Chinese folklore and some western
analosies. and an interesting account of
tie loot Of the Imperial Summer Palace at