The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-23


cans Had Accomplished in the
Islands-Was Really i'm Ignorance
OF Actual State of Affairs.
Manila, April ga Representative OF
the Associated Press visited Aguinaldo
this afternoon at 56 Solane street, whittier
he was removed from the Malanacan and
found him in a large room up stairs. fur
nished with table, typewriting ma
chine, three settees and twenty chairs.
His wife, who was entertaining num-
Der of Filipino women friends, sat at one
end of the room, while Aguinaldo. smok-
ing cigar and chatting with Benito Le-
gardo, occupied the opposite corner.
Others present were Lieut.. Col. John S.
Mallory of the Forty-first Volunteer In
fantry, who has charge of Aguinaldo;
Lieut.. Gilbert A Youngberg of the Third
Artillery and Mr.. Fisher, Gen. McArthur's
private secretary.
Makes a Very Good Impression.
Aguinaldo, whose bearing was courte-
Gus and dignifed, was dressed in white
and looked well, and altogether made an
excellent impression. Legardo, who but
recently returned from the United States,
was telling about the trip and he seemed
intensely interested, smiling frequently
and asking numerous questions. He in
quired particularly as to what President
Mckinley said, and seemed anxious to
know what was thought of him in the
United States. He was rather reluctant
to talk for publication. and considered
ton Eof
it. He said he was doing all he could 20
assist in the pacification of the
Philippines, and expressed himself
as surprised at what the Americans had
accomplished. When he was first captured
he went on to say, he was greatly aston
ished to find that the majority of Fill
pinos entertained the opinion that Ameri-
can sovereignty was preferable to indie
pendence, but now he was inclined TO be-
live that way himself. He explained that
since the dissolution of the insurgent con-
gress and the declaration of guerilla war
fare the chiefs had operated TO all inrents
and purposes Independently. They recog-
nized him IS commander in chief. sending
him reports occasionally, and he issued
some orders; but for the last seven
months communication had been difficult,
and he had been almost disconnected.
He Has Completely Come Around.
81 am now urging in the strongest pos
sible manner" said Agunaldo, that all
insurgents should surrender and swear al
legianCe to the United States.'
He expressed The opinion that Tinio
Lucban, Malvar and other representative
insurgents will surrender as soon as they
come to understand the nature of the
amnesty offered them. He said he hoIs1
that when the work of pacifcaton was
complete and conditions were settled the
prisoners in Guam would be released.
After referring in grateful terms to
the courteous treatment accorded him by
the military authorities he declared his
conviction that the civil government which
would follow pacification would realize
the highest hopes of the Filipino people
When questioned regarding the report
that he would visit the United States he
replied that he would like to do so, but
had made no plans as yet, placing him
self entirely at the disposition of the
American government.
In concluding the interview, he OBJ
served:
every word in my address to my coun-
trymen, the Filipinos, came from my
heart. I hope the Americans believe me
thoroughly sincere in my efforts to secure
peace, and, under American auspices, to
promote the welfare and prosperity of the
PhilinDines -