The Forrest City times., 1899-07-21
MAJ. ZIALCITA INTERVIEWED.
Aguina1do's Cavalry Leader Giyes the Filipino View of the De-
 ginning of uOstflitics.

zon, between its special correspondent, Martin F. Few. of the Thirteenth Min nesota, detailed by Gen. Wheaton as brigade interpreter. and Maj. Lorenzo l.. Zialcita, leader of Aguinaldo's cav airy, and one of the Filipino commis- sioners, who went to Gen. Otis with propositions for an arrnistice. An Emphatic Denial.
 Maj. Zialcita denied emphatically that Filipino officials had ordered the burning of Manila and the wholesale murder of Americans. and cited as proof that many Filipino officers were in Manila that night and were taken prisoners.
 Filipinos Greatly Incensed.
 He said the proclamation of Gen. Otis announcing himself governor gen. eral had greatly incensed the Filipinos, but asserted that both the Filipino leaders and people believed the Amer jeans had begun hostilities.
 Maj. Zialcita, speaking of the re. l puted promises of independence made prior to the fall of Manila. when asked by Maj. Few if in their eagerness for l misunderstood or misconstrued the language of American officials and of- ficers, replied:
 No Mistake About It. | "There is not the slightest mistake about this. Consul Wildman verbally made this statement to us, and we had so much confidence in the good in. tentions of the United States that to us it meant as much as if it had been delivered in writing. Besides when we were in Cavite a number of us had the honor of entertaining Gen. An derson at the Atheno Risal. This was before Manila was taken by your forces. Gen. Anderson, on this occa- sion, made speech, in which he said that the Americans had not come her., for the purpose of taking one foot of territory with the view of permanent possession, but for the purpose of giv- ing the Eilipinos their independence. "On September 21 last year, on the occasion of a fiesta, a number of Amer ican officials celebrated with us at the residence of Pedarno Pacheo, and all expressed the same sentiments. On
 
 by men in high authority that Filipino independence would be recognized
 What was the opinion of the Fili- pino leaders in regard to Gen. Otis proclamation of January 4?"
 Was Decidedly Bnd.
 'That proclamation" replied the major, was decidedly bad. and great ly incensed the people everywhere. It stated nothing clearly, and promised nothing. It was non-committal on ali points, except that Otis declared him. self governor general of the islands and that our country had been pur- chased from Spain. The Filipino O. pie desired indenpendece, not annexa- tion."
 On being asked if he really thought the Filipino people were sufficiently educated to conduct affairs of local and national elf-government, the young Filipino leader replied:
 Misrepresented by the Prcss. Our people have always been mis- represented, both by the local and for eign press. The friars are our worst enemies, and have been active in this | hold us in subjection. Educational af- fairs have heretofore been in their hands, and it has served their purpose to prevent the people from becoming too wise. But even at this, the vast majority of the people can read and write"
 Maj. Zalcita was told that many people in the United States believed it sacred duty for the United States to take possession of and govern the Philippines, inasmuch as the natives were not capable of self-government. To this he replied:
 Should Have Given Them a Trial.
 This would have been reasonable proposition if we had demonstrated, after a fair trial, that our government was inadequate 10 protect life, prop erty and personal rights. How could we prove our fitness or unfitness for government until he had been given an opportunity to show what we could do?"
 Referring to the telegram of Febru- ary 20, sent by Gen. Otis relative to the order of the Filipino government to burn Manila and massacre the whites in the city, the Filipino emis- sary, with a flash of anger on his face, replied:
 It Was False, Absolutely False.
 That was false, absolutely false. No such order was ever issued by of- | fcials at Malolos. If Gen. Otis found any such written order, it was the | work of friars or some other enemy of ours. This is not race war. We Realize that in order to win we must have the support of civilized nations, and must conduct our affairs accord ingly."
 Early the following morning the commissioners escort started for Ma nila to see Gen. Otis.