The times., 1899-09-18
CONCERNING GENERAL LUNA.
He WAS n Far Adler Man Than Agui-
npldo.
(From Collier's Weekly. }


(From Golfers Weekly.)
In view of the reported death of Gen.
Antonio Luna at the hands of General
Aguinaldo's guard, it may be of interest TO
give some details concerning this noted in
dividual and his family, of which, so far
as am aware, no particulars have yet been
presented to the American public. / am
fortunately in a position to do this, in
view of the intimate relations that have
existed between my family and that of the
Lunas. The father of General Luna, Don
Joaquin Luna, was the next door neighbor
of my father in Manila, and has long been
his personal friend. His mother was also
in intimate relations with my mother be-
fore the latter's death. l remember that
she was exceedingly fond of the game OF
panguingui, a card game which is ia
yorite of the Filipinos, and the women in
particular.
Some years ago, three thieves were
taken in an attempt to enter and rob Don
Joaquin's house, and later were garroted,
by order of the authorities, in front of the
house, and nearly in front of that OF my
father. This was in pursuance OF legal
rule in the Philippines, that criminals
condemned to death should be punished
as nearly as possible in the locality OF their
crime.
Don Joaquin Luna is a retired merchant
of Manila, a mestizo, or half-breed, by
birth; a man of intelligence, although of
no special distinction himself. but with
the honor of having among his children
some of the most brilliant persons yet
known in the Philippines. In support OF
this statement it may DE said that three
of his sons have had remarkable careers
in as many different fields Of human effort.
One of these studied medicine and has
won the reputation of being surgeon of
very unusual skill and ability, some of his
operations in abdominal surgery being
equal in daring and success to those OF the
| famous surgeons of Europe and America.
A second son achieved his reputation in
| music being pupil of Sarasate, the we'll
known Spanish master of the violin. A
third son is an artist of high distinction,
! so much so, indeed, as to have the gold
medal for the most excellent painting at an
exhibition at the Madrid Academy of Arts,
during the reign of the late King. The
| picture which brought him this notable
| honor was named "Espoliarum" Some
| family trouble so aroused his violent ma
| ture that he shot and killed his wife and
| mother-in-law. He was, as I have said,
sentenced to death for the crime. The re-
| suit OF this dreadful business was remarka-
| BILE. large number of the artists of Spain
and France. and many prominent patrons
| Oh dIl, yOlutu III u pCtlliOl " IAih5 HiAAOhSc
/ for his pardon in view of the great loss
/ to art his execution would be. Doubtless
/ they were also able to offer extenuating
| circumstances in mitigation of the crime.
| However that may be, at all events, this
| appeal was successful, and King Alfonso
| granted a full pardon TO the condemned.
! There is still another son of Don joaquin,
| who attained to eminence as chemist.
He became, and is now, druggist OF note
/ in Manila.
] Two of this brilliant family took part in
| the Philippine insurrection against Spain,
| and have been prominent in the recent
war with the United States forces. These
are Antonio Luna the general, who is said
| TO have lust met his death by assassination,
| and the painter, who left Spain at the out
| break of the insurrection, and took an ac-
| tive part in il. The latter was the Luna
| who came to this city after Agoncillo' 5
arrival here, probably sent by his brother
| TO act against the envoy of Aguinaldo,
whose purpose. l believe, was a peaceful
| one. Soon after reaching here war broke
! ont in Iuzon, and he and his attendants
| with Agoncillo and his staff, took a hasty
| departure for Canada. Luna is now mem
| ber of the Philippine Junta at London. q
| body whose hostility to the American cause
| is well known
/ must say something here in reference tc
the underlying cause of these intrigues, and
of their fatal termination in General LuGa's
death. In fact the Philippine cause has th<
misfortune of being divided between thref
hostile elements. Aguinaldo. though by
| title commander-in-c chief of the Philippine
| army, is really in command only of sec
ton of this force, two other sections being
| under the control of Generals Luna and
Pillar. These three men are all enemies o
each other, and, as will be remembered
| General Luna went so far as to detain twC
envoys sent by Aguinaldo to the American
authorities at Manila, ostensibly because