Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-10
EMILIO AGUINALDO.
Pictured by an Englishman, WIZ
Studied Him Thoroughly

studied Him ThOrOughly.
From the London News.
l have spent no little time in studying
Emilio Aguinaldo. Arriving in Manila bay
with the first expedition to the Philippines
in the spring of 1898, l saw Aguinaldo sew
eral times at Cavite and in front Of Manila
as an ally Of Uncle Sam. After the fall
OF the latter city, on August 10, 1898, until
six or seven weeks before the outbreak Of
the new insurrection on February 4, 1899,
repeatedly visited Aguinaldo at Bacoor
and afterWard at MaloloS, where he moved
his government"
Personally, Aguinaldo made / very poor
appearance. He certainly did not look like
man who had much brain power. One
could find any number of Tagals in Manila
whose faces portrayed more intelligence
than did that Of the man they had chosen
as their leader. l was surprised to find
that certain members of Agu:naldo's cabi-
net spoke of the facial characteristics Of
their president in a most disrespectful
manner. In fact, it was from few casual
remarks on such subjects that 1 obtained
my first inklfng OF what l later became
firmly convinced was the case|hat Agi-
naldo was merely a figurehead. a tool in
the hands Of clever men like Mabini and
the elder Palermo.
Aguinaldo had learned from some source
that Stoiid silence gave an impression Of
depth and keen perception. 1 have been
present at more than one interview in
which an attempt was made to draw him
out, but generally with little or no success.
I am convinced that constant Intercourse
with Aguinaldo was what caused the brav-
est and most popular of his generals to-
despise him thoroughly. This generals
open statement regarding the poor opinion
in which he held Agulnaldo subsequently
led that worthy to operate successfully
plot in which his obstreperous subordinate
was assassinated. That incident lost the
insurgent president many friends, but the
fr,1o ctr Of ha Sfv1of
nipulated by Aguinaldo's supporters that
few Of the Filipino people ever knew the
truth regarding the matter.
l believe it was general named Pho del
Pillar, who was captured near Manila In
May Of last year, who first started the
story of Aguinaldo's supernatural powers.
Pillars following chiefly came from prov
ince called Cavite, which lay just south Of
the city Of Manila, and was the worst hot
bed Of Instruction in the Island of LuZon.
Pillar commenced to work on the ignorance
and superstition OF the natives Of Cavite
province which is peopled by Tagais the
dominant race in the Philippines, by claim
ing familiarity with the spirit world, and
making prophecies based on revelations
which had come to him in the form Of
dreams.
During the months Immediately prior to
the insurgent outbreak, when the insur-
gents were straining every nerve to pre-
pare themselves for the struggle which
they had decided to make In the name Of
liberty, Pho del Pillar decided to strengthen
the cause of Aguinaldo by proclaiming him
in league with the powers of the air,
some kindred supernatural agency. Soon
stories were afloat to the effect that the
president had been seen at night, during
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 a native at Tar
lac a town in the province which after
ward saw the last stand of the so-called
government Of the Republca Filipino, who
told me of the following incident: During
the first instruction of the Filipinos
against the Spaniards battalion of insur-
gents was engaged in a midnight attack on
Manila. The fierceness Of the onslaught
resulted in the retreat Of the enemy In
the moment of victory the little band sud-
denly discovered that their front and both
TANKS were covered by advancing Span
ish brigade. They had commenced re-
treat, which meant great loss, when they
were rallied by no less parsonage than
with a naked sword in his hand. led them
toward the enemy instead of away from
them, finally turning apparent defeat into
victory and causing the ignominious retreat
of the Spaniards But the strangest part
of the story was that at the time AgrIinal-
do was seen to rally the demoralized bat
talon and lead 1t in SO successful an on
slaught he was known to be quietly sleep
ing il his own tent, miles and miles away.
Now. that native was a rich man, and
In many ways an intelligent one. He had
daughters who had received splendid mu-
steal educations in France and Germany,
and sons who were graduates of the COL
leges Of Manila and Hong Kong. Yet it
was no more possible to shake his belief
In no truth nf that story than IN