Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-28
|AGU|AALD0 Is MUTE
Unwilling TO Discuss Ques-
tions Of Public interest.
LIVES In SECLUSION
HIS RET1RE1IENT ATTRIBUTED
TO A FEAR OF AssAssrNATIoN.
SAYS That He IL Studying Political
Economy-Keeping Clear Of Plots
and Instructions.
LIVES In sECLUsION
BIZ WILLIAM e. CURTIS.

By WILLIAM e. CURTIS.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star and
Chicago Record Herald.
MANILA, April 81. 1904.
Aguinaldo, leader OF tina late revolution.
is living quietly in humble cottage Of
bamboo and palm leaves at No. 464 Calfe
Real, in the Ermita district of the city. Hts
nearest neighbor is James Smith of the
commission. who lives next door. and ufl-
til Gov. Taft vacated the Maiacanan palace
of the governor general. Judge Wright re-
sided Immediately across the street, so that
the revoiutionist has been surrounded by
good society and proper influences. Judge
Amber of Salem, Ohio, one OF the Judges
of the provincial court. is another near
neighbor and sees Aguinaldo quite frequent
ly while Rev. James B. Rodgers. Prespy-
terrain missionary, lives a little way down
the street and Is numbered among Asuin-
aldo's friends. The latter, however, Hes
very low. He remains almost In seclusion
He seldom leaves the cottage. and is never
seen upon the streets. If it Is necessary TOT
him to go to any other part Of the town ne
always takes closed carriage. and stranS-
ers who call upon him are very carefuiiy
inspected before they are allowed to see
him. Occasionally he visits the old town
of Cavite. about eighteen miles from Manila,
where his family have a plantation, and
where his mother Is living. She is said to
be woman OF remarkable traits ana
strength OF character and was his inspira-
ton and chief adviser during the revoiu-
ton.
Fear Of Assassination.
Aguinaldo's seclusion Is attributed to fear
OF assassination. During the instruction
he was guilty OF acts of atrocieus cruelty
upon persons whose friends still survive
and ordered several assassinations. particu-
larry that of General Luna, one of his
rivals. who was q great fayorite with the
public and had many loyal and devoted ad-
mirers. There IL also an impression among
many of AguinaId0s former associates that
he prohted financially during the insurrec-
ton, while they lost and forfeited every
thing they had. The Filipino Is revenge
full and vfndictiye creature. and does not
hesitate to take vengeance into his own
hands. Hence Aguinaldo is supposed to be
continually on his guard and the police
authorities would not be surprised any mo-
ment even at this day, to learn OF his as
sassination. When he was released from
prison he was exceedingly nervous and ap-
prehensive. and would have preferred to
remain under the protection of the military
Since that time no notice has been taken or
him. He has been treated like an ordinary
native. and everything that might excite
sympathy for or attract attention to him
has been avoided he has been invited to
public functions like other prominent Fflipi-
to the natives Aguinaldo was never over
looked He seldom awaited himself of these
courtesies, however. and has avoided
crowds and public demonstrations for the
The police have kept him under semi
surveillance-that is. they have observed
his movements and have known his where
about at all times. AS long he remains
in the city he is not watched, but when he
leaves Manila they make 1t a point to learn
where he goes and who he communicates
with. For a while after his release they
watched him closely, but his conduct has
been most exemplary. He has been tempted
on several occasions. Conspirators have en-
deavored to interest him In their plots; San
Miguel. Pillar, Ricarte and other 'insurrec-
tos'' have tried to secure his sympathy and
cooperation. but he has never responded
to their advances, and the secret service
people say that he has allowed their letters
to remain unanswered. He has scrupulously
avoided doing anything that could excite
suspicion. and Is practically cut off from all
his old friends and associates.
Studying Political Economy.
Aguinaldo's peeuniary circumstances are
a matter of some curiosity. He does moth
ing and earns nothing. He spends most Of
his time in idleness. which is the easiest
thing Filipino can do. They are natural
loafers. He told me that he was studying
political economy, and preparing himself to
that he should ever be called upon He pre-
pared an elaborate scheme for system of
railways through Luzon and a comprehen-
sive plan of finance. which was a good deal
like the subtreaSury scheme prepared by
Kansas populists some years ago Under
1t the government was to issue 500, 900 900
in paper currency. which was to be loaned
as working capital to farmers, miners busi-
ness men, manufacturers and any one else
who was willing to assist in the develop
nv,I aR So f~ID -
per cent interest collected annually upon
these loans was to pay the expenses of the
government. This project was submitted
to Gov. Taft. and was doubtless laid by him
before them commission. but it was not
adopted. Aguinaldo complains that its re-
ceipt was not even acknowledged. and feels
quite sensitive on the subject. Apparently,
the indifference of the commission concern
ing this benevolent proposition hurt him
more than the collapse of his government.
the overthrow of his military power or the
humiliation of his capture
Aguinaldo Is believed to have money. He
is believed to have put aside considerable
amount from his war chest or from the
100000 which he received from the Span-
iards as price of peace before the Ameri-
can INVASION but he pretends to be very
poor and shows no signs of prosperity His
home is humble and everything about it in
marked contrast to his ostentatious display
When president of republic and captain
general or an army. In the United States
OF great poverty, but II is an ordinary nina
nut. such as Is occupied by mfddle-cIas So
FilipinoS. There are four or five large
rooms, with plenty of bamboo and bent
wood rocking chairs, an antiauated plano.
collection of china, useful and ornamen-
tai. upon rack of shelves coon of
chickens In the back yard and a luxurious
growth of banana trees around the inclos-
ure-
called upon him three times and en-
oeAVofed to secure an interview on public
topics, but. while he received me with great
courtesy and apparent pleasure, he was
very reticent and would not commit him
self on any subject of Importance. At the
hrst call he asked me to give him a mem
orandum OF the points upon which I would
ike his views. and did so.
Many Questions, No Response.
asked whether the present government
and Its administration were satisfactory to
him and to the people, and whether he com
sidered the triumph of American arms in
the Philippines blessing or a disadyan-
tage to those islands. 1 requested him to
point out the mistakes of policy and ad-
ministration on the part of the government
at Washington and the officials at Manila
and explain what course he would have fol-
lowed under the same circumstances What
changes he would make In policy and adj