AGUINALDO, LEADER OF THE PHILIPPINE INSURGENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 136, 10 June 1898, Page 5

AGUINALDO, LEADER OF THE PHILIPPINE INSURGENTS.

Agnixialda. lender of the insurgents in the Philippines,-was report?! by cable yesterday to have completely surrounded Manila and obtained control of all food supplies. Tie is cooperating with the American fleet, under Admiral Dcwey, and is only waiting for the letter's consent, to make an assinilt upon the city. The Spanish Government have offered a lar^e reward for his capture. Aguinaldu, who

was formerly leader of the Cavite insurgents, sold out to the Spanish urn agreed to expatriate himself. This ended the first revoll, but the, Spanish had only drawn a long breath when the rebellion: once, more broke out more formidable than the firs!, and Aguhialclii returned to the scene of his former exploits. Aquinaldo has been guilty of sharp practice in handling the funds paid by the Spanish as peace offerings to tne leaders of the Jute insurrection, and a, suit in now being- prosecuted by the hitter in the Supreme Court at Hongkong' to prevent Ag'iiinaklo from pitmg possession at the 400,000 dollars deposited in the Hongkong Bank ior distribution among' his fellow leaders. According' to the terms of theagreement entered into between the Spanish officials and the rebel leaders 800,000 dollars mis to be paid the latter to lay down their arms. Ag-ui-naldo was to receive 400,000 dollars as his.share on taking his departure from Manila, and the other 400.000 dollars w t is to be divided among' his lieutenants on their arrival in Hongkong1. Aquinaldo was paid his money m agreed, but lie resisted every effort made b.V the other leaders to "get him to distribute the fund deposited in the Hongkong- Uanlc for their benefit. They have asked and obtained an injunction restraining' the bank from paying any of the money to the avaricious Ag'iihialdo.

In March, 1897, "Kmilio Affuinnldo became (he chief leader of the insurrection. During- his leadership A»-uin-ajdo formed a provisional government, constating'or a Council ol' seven persons. Aguinnldo was President ot the Council and lsabelo Artneho, as Minister of the Interior, one of the members. In December an agreement was arrived tit between the Spanish Government and the Provincial Council, the terms of which were incorporated in a convention, or written document, in which the Spanish Government undertook inter alia to pay the sum of 800,000 dollars to be distributed half among the leaders of the rebellion and the balance among those engaged in it, and to protect the lives and property of the rebels in consideration of the delivery up by the rebels of their anus and accoutrements, and the further condition that A'gulnaldo ami other leaders should leave the coururv, 400,000 dollars was to be pa hid in Manila, and the balance, 400,000 dollars, was remitted to Hong Kong for division among- those leaders who left the country.

The convention wag drawn up ami executed In three parts, one pan being retained by the Uovernor-Genora! of the Philippines, tho second by the person who negotiated and arranged the matter, by whom the document was drawn up, a ad the third being handed to Aguinahlo. The 400,00 dollars were remitted to Hong Kong1 to ward the end of December, and Artaeho received '4 telegriiin in Manila from A^ulnaldo, who, with thiny.'tive of the leaders, had previously gone to Hong Kong, announcing that lie had received the ■too.ooo dollars. Artaeho. who hud remained behind for the purpose, thereupon delivered to the Spanish Govern* TTient the anus and accoutrements and afterward left for IIon}» Kong, and arrived there at the beginning- of February, ISB7.