The record-union., 1898-11-17
can only be quenehed with blood dear

We beseech the American President
and people to help US TO control our
own people by directing the officials at
Manila to temper their actions with
friendship, Justice and fairness.
We suggest that Admiral Dewey
and General Otis and General Merritt,
IN Paris, be asked:
F1rst-If, from the commencement of
nostiiities to the present time, have not
Aguinaldo, and the Filipinos under him,
acceded to every request of the Ameri-
can officials?
SecOnd-When Manila was captured.
although the Filipinos had driven the
Spaniards into Manila, completely in
vesting the city and occupying some Of
the roads commanding in part the ap-
proaches to Manila, in advance of the
americans, We're the Filipinos not en-
tinely ignored, and even not notified of
the intention to attack, or of the time
or part they were expected to play,
even If such was to stanu aside?
Third-When the Filipinos, seeing the
intention to attack, went to the assist
ance of the Americans. were they not
stopped by an armed body and faced
ABOUT, instead of being informed by
friendly, peaceful request that they
were not wanted? This unexpected ac-
tion placed the Americans between two
nres, Spanish and Filipino, if shots had
been exchanged in the excitement of
the moment. Did not then the Fill
plnos restrain themselves and obey the
Americans, although deprived of the
fruits OF victory and participation in
tne nnal triumph, after fighting all the
way 10 the very walls and bearing the
prunt OF the three months campaign?
Fourfh-If remaining a month on
the outskirts of the city, where we had
peen stopped, quietly as a garrison we
were ordered away? Did not we cheer
Iuliy obey. although having no assur
ance that the Americans would not
give back the Manila posts. vacated 70
the Spanish? When located for months
stlll further out, we were ordered even
oeyond the suburbs of the city, where
no quarters or shelter existed for troops
ana where supplies We're difficult to
OBTAIN, did not we obey?
F1fth-Can the cruel allegations that
we would murder, loot, steal and COM
NIT 1ncendiarism if given a free hand
De supported when we conducted a
campaign throughout Luzon. captur
ing all the important points outside of
Manila, and taking and treating hu-
namely thousand Spanish prisoners.
without being guilty of such acts be-
yond what accompanies any military
campaign as the work of irresponsible
camp followers?
S1xth-We beg that the American
oInclals be asked also if all the Ameri-
cans visiting the Filipinos' headouar-
lers at Malalos, travelling in the in
terror, visiting the camps and lines or
seeking favors Of our officials. were
not uniformly politely treated?
In friendly manner we invite the
consideration of other points. Ground
less ana harmful rumors are being con-
stamly circulated by Spanish svmna-
thlzers and malcontents, which are Of
ten believed without investigation. Our
protests are not heard.
All our launches were seized becausa
of foolish rumors that we wo,Id ..+aal-
the Americans. We ask for an exnla-
nation in seeking their recovery ana
we nave not even been given an an
Our enemies were delighted,
tnus encouraging further rumors.
ohouid not some logical reason, 9TH
er than mere report, be given for sud-
uenIy selzlng our property in Manila?
Inc Span1ards, the late enemies of
'ne Americans, are shown every con-
sioeratlon, and the Fflipinos, friends
ana aiiies, are often treated as enc
iliies. Does this satisfy American
ideas of justice?
The Filipino people cannot under
stand it, though their leaderSteu them
not TO protest and that all will end
we'll
We are asked by the Americans to
restrain our people and avoid any OUT
preak, pending the decision of the
Peace Commission. This we gladly do.
But we beg that similar instructions
be given the Americans by the Wash
ington Government
FROM the beginning of our relations.
when Aguinaldoe was urged in Singa-
pore and Hongkong to return to Cayite
and assist the Americans. until Manila
fell, we acted under the advice and
with the knowledge. of the American
officials. During that time we con-
quered all of Luzon outside of Manila.
and were formally recognized and en-
couraged by the Americans. When
Manila was captured their chief end
was attained. and we were no longer
recognized, and were even treated as
untrustworthy. Is this just?
I'VE can only attribute this sudden
change from friendly encouragement
and cooperation to an order from
Washington to the officials at Manila
to avoid compromising the American
Government by any recognition of the
F1lipinos or their Government. They
have endeavored to carry out these
instructions literally, believing it the
proper course to ignore the Filipinos
entirely, losing sight of their former
friendly intercourse and assistance.
and of the assurances the American
officials made to our leader Aguinaldo,
who in turn communicated the same to
his followers.
In concluding our humble but earn
est appeal to the President and the
people of the great American Republic,
we wish to emphasize our absolute
confidence in him and them, to make
IL plain that our protests are not
prompted9by any feeling of animosity,
but are directed against the conditions
existing at Manila, and not against
the American Government or people;
TO acknowledge our gratitude to the
American arms for destroying Spanish
power in the Philippines and permit
ting the return of Aguinaldo. and to
express the hope that America will
stand by her determination not to re-
turn the islands to Spain.
We await the arbitrament of the
Peace Commission, for whose good
judgment we have profound respect,
with even greater interest than the
Americans. because it concerns our ma