Tom Tit

CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 985

boy, and possessed the precociousness of a Malay the ambitions of a Cauca- ,

sian, and the memory of a Chinaman. He appears to have drifted about China and his own native island, and to have served as a Chinese soldier and sailor. He read with preference the history of military heroes of both Europe and the United States. When his people revolted against the tyranny of over-taxation, he distinguished himself as a leader of his class, and was at the head of the insurrection of 1896. He and his fol- lowers were bought by money, and by promises of reform in the off

Spanish government of the islands. The money was never fully paid, and the promises were never kept. Hong Kong had been made a place of refuge by him, as well as of others who continued to plot against the government of Manila. During the time of these plots, the war broke out between Spain and the United States, and he at once returned to his country, where he became the recognized leader of his people, and a troublesome factor to the United States. That he possessed something of a Napoleonic magnetism over his countrymen, there can be no doubt. Considering the elements at his command, he made perhaps as successful a resistance as could be expected. If he comes, we shall all try to get a glimpse of him, if for no other

reason than over-curiosity to see him. It is said that he has picked up and even a smattering of Latin, French, English and Chinese, it is

claimed that he writes and speaks admirable French and Spanish. It may be, too, a great object lesson to Aguinaldo, and after seeing what a great people we are, and what a wonderful country we possess, he may return to his countrymen and enlighten them also. He might even make a good the right mo- campaign document, if he should appear upon the scene at of his capture are so recent as to be ment. The romantic circumstances familiar to all. about the life and char- There is something of mysterious weaving he is sure to be an historic personage of the acter of Aguinaldo, so that sure to be mentioned in all our future. For the reason, too, that he is United States, we shall want our children future school histories of the to get a view of him.

The Friars in the Philippines. the aid of the Pope in Governor Taft's recent visit to Rome to enlist the Friars from the Philippines, has led to un- securing the removal of orders that are known in the Islands by usual interest in the religious the collective name of Friars. Who these Friars are, and why they Islands, are matters of general interest. should be compelled to leave the are organizations, usually called orders, In the Catholic church, there