The times., 1898-06-20
BEFORE THE MANILA BATTLE.
The Official Proclamation of the
Governor of the Philippines.

From the Hong Kong Daily News)
Spaniards: Between Spain and the
United States of North America HOSTILE
ties have broken out. The moment has
arrived to prove 10 the world that we
possess the spirit to conquer those who,
pretending to be loyal friends. take ad-
vantage of our misfortures and abuse our
hospitality. using means which civilized
nations count unworthy and disreputable.
The North American people. constituted
of all the social excrescences. have ex-
hausted our patience and provoked war
with their perfidious Vaccinations. with
their acts of treachery, with their out
RACES against the law of nations and in
ternational conventions.
The struggle will be short and decisive.
The God of Victories will give US one as
brilliant as the justice Of our cause de-
mands. Spain, which counts upon the
sympathies of all the nations. will emerge
triumphantly from the new test. humili-
ating and blasting the adventurers from
those States that, without cohesion and
without history. offer 10 humanity only
infamous traditions and the ungrateful
spectacle of Chambers in which appear
united insolence and defamation, cowar-
dice and cynicism.
A squadron manned by foreigners, pos
sessing neither instruction nor discipline.
is preparing to come to this archipelago
with the ruffianly intention of robbing US
of all that means life, honor and liberty.
Pretending to be inspired by a courage
of which they are incapable. the North
American seamen undertake as an enter
prise capable of realization the substitu-
ton of Professionalism for the Catholic re-
ligion you profess. to treat you as tribes
refractory TO civilization. to take posses
sion of your riches as If they were un-
acquainted with the rights of property.
and 10 kidnap those persons whom they
consider useful to man their ships or
10 be exploited in agricultural or indus
trial labor.
Vain designs, Ridiculous bOastingsi
Your indomitabie bravery will suffice to
Illustrate the attempt to carry them into
realization. You will not allow the faith
you profess TO be made a mock of i'm
pious hands TO be placed in the temple
of the true God. the images you adore TO
be thrown down by unbeIief. The ag-
gressors shall not profane the tOmbs of
your fathers. they shall not crafty their
lustful passions at the cost of your wives
and daughters honor. or appropriate the
property that your industry has accumu-
lated as a provision for your old age. No,
they shall not perpetrate any of the
crimes inspired by their wickedneSs and
covetousness because your valor and pa
triotism will suffice to punish and abase
/ the people that. claiming TO be civilized
and cultivated have exterminated the
natives of North America instead OF
bringing TO them the life of civilization
and of progress.
Philippines. prepare for the struggle
and, united under the glorious Spanish
/ flag. which is ever covered with laureIs
let US fight with the conviction that vic
tory will crown our efforts and 10 the
calls of our enemies let US oppose with
the decision of the Christian and the pa
! triot the cry of Viva Espanar' Your
general
BASILIO AUGUSTIN DAyILA.
Manila, sd April, 1898