On August 21, 1896, Aguinaldo became leader of the insurgents. The
revolution started on that day.
He fought four battles with the Spaniards and was victorious in all.
He lost but ten men, to the Spaniards 125.
On December 24, 1897, a peace was established between Aguinaldo and
the Spanish.
Aguinaldo received $400,000, but the rest of the conditions of peace
were never carried out.
In June last Aguinaldo issued a proclamation, expressing a desire for
the establishment of a native administration in the Philippines under
an American protectorate.
In an interview with a World correspondent at that time he expressed
himself as grateful to Americans.
In July he issued a proclamation fixing the 12th day of that month for
the declaration of the independence of the Philippines.
In November Aguinaldo defied General Otis, refusing to release his
Spanish prisoners.
The Cabinet on December 2 cabled General Otis to demand the release of
the prisoners.
[Illustration: EMILIO AGUINALDO, MILITARY DICTATOR OF THE FILIPINOS.]
AGUINALDO THE MAN.
In his features, face and skull Aguinaldo looks more like a European
than a Malay.
He is what would be called a handsome man, and might be compared with
many young men in the province of Andalusia, Spain. If there be truth
in phrenology he is a man above the common. Friends and enemies
agree that he is intelligent, ambitious, far-sighted, brave,
self-controlled, honest, moral, vindictive, and at times cruel.
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