Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1899-10-04
a FILIPINO ROMANCE.
Troubles ofthe Corlez Family, Gcntlefo



The story of the troubles OF tEs |
Cortez family; Filipino gentlefolkd'
Manila, is not without its ronantb
features. Don Maxine and Dol
Angel C6rtez have Just returned t
Hougkong from Washington, happi
in the belief that they are at the be
ginning of the end of those troubles; |
President Mckinley having ordera |
the restoration OF all their property l.
the Philippines confscated by tn,
Spanish authorities just before th'
commencement OF thewar: The prop
erty involved is close on $1,000, ,OOrI
in value: I'll
When Aguinaldo rebelled in 189tt
Gen. NYeyler was recalled from TIL
Philippines and Gen. Primo de Rivera
took his place. WeyleTs'policyin th,
Philippines had been much on thi
same line as his subsequent policy il
Cuba. Rivera adoptedno such tacticst
preferring rather to approach the an
surgents with gold in his hands, and
rs is we'll known, he succeeded il
buying them of: At the same timd
he took care to impose fines upon
large number OF wealthy Filipinos.
alleging that they had aided or sym
pathized with the insurgents, Among
those made to pay large sums were
the Cortez family, which WIS thd
wealthisst in the Philippines. Not
only was it's property contiscated, buy
the property OF Don Maximo's wife,
against whom no charge was made, was
taken.
subsequently, after the departure
of Aguinaldo with his b ibe, money,
Rivera offered to return all this prop
erty if the Cortez family would pay
$3.50, 900 into his hand. ,Jnasmuch as
the Spanish government had already
ordered the return of the property, the
decree having been published in the
Government Gazette, Rivera's sug-
gestion was declined, and in conse-
quence the family was forced to leave
the country and go and reside ii Hong
kong. On the. outbreak of war be.
tween Spain and America the Cortez
family gave Aguinaldo $40, 900 -onthe
understanding that he would go to
Manila and fight for annexation to
the United States, and not for indie
pendenco. The money was handed to
him in the presence of the United
States consul general at Hongkong, SO
that if ever at later date it should
be said that they had backed Asuin-
aldo with money 10 fight the United
States they would be in u position to
convince the American government
that there was no truth in the story.
That the precaution was wise one
and that they correctly gauged ,Aguin-
aldos character events proved. In
mediately on the declaration of war
the Cortez family went to the United
States consulate and formally ten.
dered their allegiance to the United
States; ut the fall of Manila they
placed their palaces at the absolute
disposal of General Merritt, and they
have been made use of as residences,
no rent being paid, ever since. Gen
eral Merritt recognized their conduct
by doing all he could to secure for
them their just rights. -
When it was known that .Aguinaldc
had betrayed his trust and gone back
on the promise he had made to the
American consul at Hongkong, the
Cortez family refused to, have anything
more to lo with him, and in coase
ouence brought upon itself the 'enlnit,
of the Filipino iunta at Hongkong
which treatened to murder them j?
they went to Manila. In fact, nj
uncle of Don Maximo, an attorney il
Manila, disappeared SOME time after
ward and has never been heardl o
since, although the American militar,
authorities have done everything il
their power to obtain some clcw rs t.
his whereabouts.
Realizing that it was impossible fol
them to do anything in Hongkong
they went 10 Washington and were
kindly received by the president, th,
secretary of state and the leading sen
ators. Their case having been ably
put forward, IN order estoring te
them their property was issued. The
family will remain in Hongkong until
it is safe for them to go to Manila.
They are the only family of Filipinos
of any consequence who have re-
manned true to their early promises
and to their oaths OF allegiance. =,