Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-08

had seen them. the visitor asked this ques-
ton:
What would have been their condition
today IL the revolutionists had been sue
cessful in their contest with the Ameri-
cans? Mr.. Roberts apparently thought
the question too personal to translate II
literally. and the translation which Aguin-
aldo received. softened as 1t was by many
pleasant words. and not few parentheses.
vas still too nearly personal for an answer
in terms. significant shrug of the
shoulders was the only reply.
when the great American civil war was
settled in 1865 the situation was accepted
at once by those who had lost. said the
interviewer. The men returned from their
battlefelds to resume their work on the
farms and In the shop as far as opportunity
offered
But there was a difference there"
piled the Lee of the Philippines Those
men were OF one nationality. The southern
men were defeated by men Of their own
race and blood They were never con-
quered by an enemy from the outside In
this statement alone was there the least
irritation shown. In a moment the former
spirit of reserve and self-contrel was APP
parent.
What do your friends and you think Of
the future of the islands under American
rule?" With another shrug of the shout
der AguinaIdo replied:
LAS for my friends. you have been In the
provinces. and have doubtless learned how
they feel; as for myself. my opinions arc
the same as tney nave diWdyb bcch. iHc
American people know them we'll"
Have you any message for the people
of American
Il thank you for your courtesy. l would
ra her not avail myself of IL. however.
What should say might excite rancor and
ill-feeling. I am out of politics. am
spending my time at present studying what
may be done for the welfare of my people.
Along what lines have your studies
taken your
Il am especially anxious to have bank
ing system established throughout the prov
inces which shall help the farmers end
serve to undo the ravages OF the war ana
devastation which followed from the To-
Gusts the rinderpest and the cholera.
Aguinaldos banking scheme. while cen
tanning many excellent points, was rot
deemed practical by the government. 1t
contemplated the establishment of ma
tional currency system for the Filpinos.
guaranteed by the United States, of SltO.-
600. COZ. The money was TO De issued mere
and loaned to the farmers at low rate or
interest. after the manner of the asrarian
banks OF Europe.
The burdens TO which Aguinaldo referred
have been many, and in not rev OF the
provinces 1t is a struggle to keep from star
walton, while in many others the farmers
are practically unable to cultivate the land
which they own. or which they can lease
Congress recognized this condition last
year and voted s.. 100000 to relieve the dis
tress in the islands. and the money is be-
ing distributed most wisely by the civil
government
Received Dryly.
Have you presented your financial plan
to Gov Taft and the civil commission"
Yes, / have"
How was 1t received?'
Every dryly. 1t was read and sent 10
Washing ton, and nothing more came Of 1t.
There was more in the manner which char
acterized the answer than the words indl-
cate. 1t seemed to be quite a disappolnt-
ment to Aguinaldo that his plan, which he
deemed practicable. should have had so
dry a reception. The discussion then
turned to the honorS which have come 10
many of the leaders of the revolution. In
fact there is a jest in Manila, that one
must have been revolutionist to receive
any office which the people control. Nearly
all of the governors who have been elected,
for instance, were insurgent generals. The
civil government has also placed a great
many men in positions of trust who former
ly bore arms against the United States
forces. Aguinaldo admitted this fact, but
said that the same was true in Spanish
times, adding:
1.-The Spaniards had many natives In tie
government service. but it is probably true
that there are more men in the higher po-
sitions under American than under Span
ish rule" Referring to the suggestion
made some time ago that Aguinaldo would
visit America he was asked III ne had any
plans toward that end. To this he repled:
''It has been my hope for many years
that might visit your country. but can
not tell whether 1 shall be able to accom-
plish Ii, at least for some time TO come I
desire to go very much and / may do so in
the future"