Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 01.djvu/112

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AGULHAS
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AHMED MIRZA

reled with his associates in Hong Kong over the division of this money, and went to Singapore, where he came in contact with the United States consul, shortly before the breaking out of the war between the United States and Spain. On the representations of the consul Commodore Dewey telegraphed to have Aguinaldo sent to him. Aguinaldo was given opportunity to organize the Filipinos against the Spanish authority; but no promises were made to him and the insurgents were never officially recognized by the Americans. Friction early arose and the Americans protested against the cruel treatment of Spanish prisoners by the Filipinos. The strain became serious at the capture of Manila, the insurgents claiming the right to sack the city, which the Americans denied. On June 12, 1898, Aguinaldo organized a so-called Filipino Republic, with himself as president, but very soon proclaimed himself dictator. He protested against the Spanish-American treaty of peace, which ceded the Philippine Islands to the United States, and claimed the independence of the islands. He organized an extensive conspiracy among the native population of Manila, and ordered the complete massacre of the Americans, together with the entire European population. The plot was discovered in time and failed. On Feb. 4, 1899, his forces attacked the American lines in the suburbs of Manila. The news of this overt action caused the prompt ratification of the Spanish-American treaty by the United States Senate. Aguinaldo made a determined resistance to the Americans, but early in 1900 the organized insurrection was broken up, Aguinaldo driven into hiding by General Funston, who also captured the rebel himself in March, 1901. Aguinaldo then declared his allegiance to the American flag.

AGULHAS (ag-ö1´äs), CAPE, the most southern point of Africa, lies about 100 miles E. S. E. of the Cape of Good Hope, lat. 34° 49' S., long. 20° 0' 40" E. The point is very dangerous for ships. In 1849, a lighthouse was erected on the point. The Agulhas bank extends along the whole southern coast of Africa, from near Natal to Saldanha Bay.

AHAB, son of Omri, seventh king of the separate kingdom of Israel. He was married to Jezebel, whose wickedness instigated him to the commission of acts of cruelty and idolatry. He was slain by an arrow in a war with the Syrians.

AHASUERUS, or AHASHVEROSH, the name of the Persian monarch whose story is recorded in the Book of Esther. He is probably the same king as the Artaxerxes Longimanus of the Greek historians, whose reign commenced B. C. 465.

AHMADABAD, chief town of a district in Guzerat, India, second among the cities of the province of Bombay. It was built in the year 1412 by Ahmad Shah, and finally came under the power of the British in 1818. Its architectural relics are gorgeous, even in the midst of decay, and illustrate the combination of Saracenic with Hindu forms, mainly of the Jain type. The Jama Masjid, or great mosque, rises from the center of the city, and is adorned by two superbly decorated minarets. There is likewise an ivory mosque, so called because, although built of white marble, it is lined with ivory, and inlaid with a profusion of gems. It is famous for its manufacture of rich fabrics of silk and cotton, brocades, and articles of gold, silver, steel, and enamel. The pottery is very superior; and paper of various sorts is largely manufactured chiefly from jute. Pop. about 250,000. The district, mainly a great alluvial plain, has an area of 3,821 square miles and a population of about 900,000.

AHMED MIRZA, Shah of Persia, born in 1898. He succeeded his father, Mohammed Ali, when the latter was deposed from the throne on July 16, 1909,

On account of his youth when he became shah, he was not able to take an active part in the administration of his government during the first years of his reign, but he gradually acquired the ability to