The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-26

prepare themselves for the struggl,
which they had decided 20 make in the
name OF liberty, Pho del Pillar decided 10
strengthen the cause OF Aguinaldo by
proclaimng him in league with the pow
ers or the air, or some kindred super
natural agency,
Soon stories were afloat to the effect
that the president had been seen at night.
during a fierce storm. riding his horse
through the skies in order that he might
VISIT the various parts of his army IN
the same night.
I remember talking with native at
TarlaC, y town i'm the province which az
tervard saw the last stand OF the So
called government of the Republica Fiji
pima. who told me OF the following Incl
dent; During the first insurrection OF the
Filpinos against the Spaniards bat
talon OF insurgents was engaged in a
midnight attack on portion of the Span
ish line not far from Manila
The herceneSs of the onslaught result
eds IN the retreat of the enemy. IN the
moment OF victory the little band sud
denly discovered that their front and
both Hanks were covered by an advancing
Spanish brigade.
They had commenced a retreat which
meant great loss. when they were rallied
by no less a parsonage than ARulualdo
himself who bareheaded and with a
naked sword In his hand. led them to-
ward The enemy instead OF away from
them. nnally turning apparent defeat ineo
victory aud causing the ignominious re-
treat OF the Spaniards.
But the strangest part OF the story was
that az the time Aguinaldo was seen TO
rally the demoralized battalion and lead
~ iu SO successfully an onslaught he was
known 10 be quietly sleeping i'm his own
tent, miles and miles away.
Now, that native WAS y rich man, and
~ many WAYS sH Intelligent one I.1 had
daughters who had received splendid mu-
steal cduCatious In France and Germany,
and sons who were graduates or the col
leges OF Manila and Hong Kong Yet it
was no more possible TO shake his belief
in the truth OF that story than it was TO
make him white man.
The way In which he clung TO the be-
lief ip the semi. .divinity Of AguinaldO
was typical Of the light in which most
natives who were not blessed with suff-
cient education TO wash away tEeir In
horn superstition looked upon n Presi-
dcnte.'
So when. iu the fan of 1900. the armies
Of Generals Macarthur and Lawton had
practically swept Northern Luzon clear
uf ihsurgent bodies Of any size. when the
Tarlsc government had been rccgsted 90
oblivion, when every member Of Agui-
naldo's old cabinet was either "a prisoner
United States troops OF the invaluable
and tardiiy supplied cavalry were scour-
ing the country for the insurgent leader.
the most optimistic shook their heads and
sighed
:. Men were found who wcrc willing to
heln the newcomers to catch lesser Of
fcnders. but no native dared 60 even con-
slider the possibility OF planning for the
crnmoSt province uf the Island ot Iuzon.
az time when Aguiualdo was supposed
90 bc in the vicinity OF the nearby noun
tsins I interviewed few Filipinos who
had been particularly loyal 10 the Amcri-
cans and brought about the capture OF
the insurgcnt leaders In that district
They told me. what | had heard from
ono end Of the island % another. that no
native dared 10 plot against Aguinaldo
for the reason that he was like god
and could discover their plans bv some
occult means Of which they understood
no more than that they we're greatly 10
be feared.
Thus DO may be easily understood that
20 many natives whose ideas of the mean
ing of such words az liberty" and "indo-
pcndenCe were most vague Agtinaldo
represented 'the republic.
With him ar large. the vagaries Of tho
native mind regarding the future were
legion. With his capture goes cut
spark Of hope which H. an that the Fill
pinos, as "a race. have had To cling 10 FOR
nany long month.