New-York tribune., 1901-06-08
GENERAL GRANT ON AGUINALDO.
SAYS THE FILIPINO LEADER HAD LOST
ABOUT ALL HIS INFLUENCE BE-
FORE HE WAS CAPTURED.

This Is what General Frederick d. Grant had to
about Aguinaldo a reception given in honor
of the general last night In the Johnston Building
Brooklyn. by the L. S. Grant Post No. S27 G. A. r.
Aguinaldo was not much of a capture in the
the truth. he had lost about all his influence Now
S w9 DO o. not want to treat him as If we considered
course but We want TO rake him feel that he
II We should fine him So send him to jail for thirty
days and set him to breaking rock II would be
he comes over here treat him with contempt he
VIII be treated with contempt by the natives when
that we have a high idea OF Aguinaido's impor-
which may make US trouble
General Grant spoke of the Filipino leader IN
answer to an inquiry from the audience In reply
TO another question about the frars he made II
plain that he had no use for them. He said:
When they spoke of allowing the friars to come
came back would do what could; that did not
nave enough troops to save their lives. but had
and very corrupt.
General Grant said he believed many Of the so
called syndcates which announced that they had
bought the lands of the friars fake organi-
cations He does not believe that the friars sold
the land at ALL but turned to foreign syndf-
Gates for the purpose of holding on to the property
as well as to cOmplicate matters for the govern
ment. The Philippine Commission General Grant
said desired to treat the friars just the same as
any other persons, with no more consideration and
with no less They will be obliged TO prove their
right TO the large estates they hold, the same as
any other property owners
The general seemed to be enthusiastic over the
way the province over which he had direction had
accepted the American ideas and government II
believe he said, that il an election were held
to-day 80 per cent of the people would have
us retain the Islands. believe that inside of two
years there will be many of the natives speak
ing t.ngIlSh as ever knew how to read and write
spanish l had hfty-three In my province.
w hen lett the books OF each town m
ined. and In every instance there was a surplus
States. They don't have to sell bonds there.
We have rescued the people Of the Philippines from
the barbarism Of the fourteenth century. They
nave no idea of the rights of others. They have
been trained under a government which robbed
the people. Everybody wanted TO get into the gov
there is a disease. Sometimes brigands lay tribute
on whole towns of twenty thousand inhabitants.
They do not see anything wrong I'm that. and they
look upon the brgands the way that the
old robher 5arons IN feudal days regarded
All this will have 10 he changed gradually think
that the American people are 10 be congratulated
that so much has been accomplished by our army
with such slight loss OF life. II is not because
the Filipinos were not brave. but because they
were not equally we'll handled
The general talked in a slow. converse tional tone
and was frequently interrupted by questions which
he always seemed able to answer. After his talk
several hundred OF the guests were presented 10
him and Mrs. Grant
Prior 10 the reception General and Mrs. Grant
were entertained dinner the oxford Club by
the committee Of Grant Post. of which Past Com
mander George A. Price chairman.