Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-06-26
Aguinaldo, Former Rebel
Chief, Non Business Man

A GUINADDO,' merchant, vice.
n president of two thriving Ma
Mia enterprises-that is the
status to-day of the mestizo youth
who overthrew the rule of Spain in
the Philippines, challenged the au-
! thority of the United States in his
native islands and became a fugi-
tive from justice only to be finally
| rounded up and captured by GEN
eral Funston. He lives in a mansion
of adapted Greek temple style and
wears clothing of a fashionable Eu-
ropean cut This is the bandit chief
of twenty years ago. Aguinaldo is
not yet so, but while his 20-odd
years led those who knew him in
the '90s to believe he was ten years
older han he really was, his 40-odd
years to-day seem ten years less
when one looks at the wiry little fig
ure, the face lined only in the fore
head, hair only slightly streaked
with gray eyes that glow with enthu-
siasm just as they did in the days
when he was striving for the liberty
of his people.
A writer in 1899 said of the Fill
pino chieftain that "a Tagalo boy
has no boyhood; he springs from an
infant into man, and to the for
eigner his age may yet be 16. or past
80. Such was the childhood of
Aguinaldo. Having passed that try
ing period, he was sent by his
Spanish father. who thought he saw
promise in the young man, to the
university at Manila But he made
slow progress in the theoretical sub
jects of the medieval curriculum,
and soon was returned home. Not
losing faith in the boy, his father
Gent him again this finaa tn
the Jesuit College at-Manila. Here
he did better, but remained only a
short time. Military matters inter-
ested him more than the dry routine
of the school, and he enlisted as a
petty officer in the Spanish Army.
The dramatic episode which pre-
faced his career as a rebel leader
happend not long afterwards. Let
Roman Reyes Lalo, a native Fill
pino writer. tell the story:
His First Rebe1Iious Act.
TT was at Slang, a village near
Manila, noted for its religious pro-
cessions. Tt was the occasion of the
Feast of the Twelve Apostles. A well
dressed mestizo youth, of medium
height and slender figure stood in
the crowd that surged through the
little plaza, thinking strange
thoughts and looking on the expect
'"The church door swings open,
and the procession, for which all
have been waiting. comes out-a ma
tive band in front playing a lively
air, while behind, with gorgeous
banners and jeweled images, walk
the happy participants. A murmur
of applause breaks from the crowd.
The village cure is in front, his
eagle eye, notwithstanding his hum
10 ,afx, h. Co. 4.
deinquents among his flock as may
be in the crowd.
THE image of Christ. borne on the
shoulders of twelve sturdy natives,
passes by; and all onlookers fall on
their knees crossing themselves with
simple reverence-all but one, the
mestiZo youth, who remains stand
ing with covered head, while
mocking smile plays around his
determined lips.
THE priest observes him and
stands still. staring at the refractory
native with flashing eyes. With an
imperious gesture he motions for
him to kneel: but the youth an
swers him with a look OF scorn. The
band is still playing. and the mu-
sicians, unconscious of the halt in
the rear. are stepping briskly for
ward.
DdnISIlcu TOIn tne NHHtf5ts
'"The procession has been stopped,
and those behind are stepping on
the heels of those in front. Confu-
sion is imminent. and the priest is
in a towering rage. AS he cannot
make himself heard on account of
the din. he motions to two of the viii
lage guard that they seize the youth.
These proceed to do so and strug-
gle ensues; and it is not until they
are re-enforced by two of their fell
lows that they are able to take the
struggling mestizo to the village
prison.
The next day Emilio Aguinaldo is
brought before the village tribunal.
His accuser is a priest and the crime
is blasphemy. The prisoner at
tempts no defense and smiles the |
same bitter smile as he hears the
sentence of perpetual Punishment
from Slang pronounced against
him."
From that day the young rebel
was marked man. Not long after
this. DIR. Jose Rial, the Filipino pa
triot. organized a revolt against the
Spanish masters of his race. Aguin-
aldo was one of his trusted lieuten-
ants. But the plot was discovered
and Rizal was banished A squad
NJ five aaIGfapm hAadaN hx CNan-