The times., 1899-06-01
HOW AGUINALD0 SET
UP HIS REBELLION
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nothing of it except from report, nor do know
who the man IS ! am also informed that
private soldier who went beyond the lines with
out authority, with what motive do not know.
Is also hgld a prisoner stnd my stan Of
fcer, Lieutenant HAN, uf the Engineer Corps
10 make enquiry. ard request your action IN
this matter. / am doing everything possible TO
preserve the peace and avoid all friction until
the Filipino people be made fully ac-
qusinted with the seE;imcnis and intentions OF
the American Government, when ! am confident
that they VIII appreciate Tie end. aVurs OF the
United States, and VIII again look upon that
county their friend and protector also
fully believe that the present unrest is the r.
suit ni machiuatiUus OF cvil-disposcd persons ]
am, general, most respectfully. your ohedient
ser"art. y. 5. OTIS.
Major General, L. 8. V, Commanding.
The following reply was received from
Nalolos. February l. 1864.
Major General Otis,
Chid Of the Forces of Occupation, of Manila
and Cavite.
General: In reply TO your letter Of February
l have the honor TO state that the sergeant and
the four American soldiers Of the Engineer Corps
today liberated were detained within terri
tory. beyond cur advanced lines on Soils Street,
examining entrenchments and deiences at
distance of less than 200 meters. The said in
dividuals carried revolver. knives. compass,
plans Of Manila and It's suburbs a book Of topo-
graphical notes, measuring tape, machete, two
penknives. scales, etc / deeply regret that thcs.
soldiers have been taken within lines, ac-
cording TO the testimony of our officers, witnesses
of their detention, inasnuch there exists a
decree dated October 20. which prohibits all for
cigners from approaching our defensive works,
taking Photographic views OF the same, drawing
plans, entering territory with arms. al
though free transit Is permitted all who are un,
armed The correspondent Of ''HaTpers Weekly
has bccn detained in san Juan del Monte taking
Photographic views and the proof Of this is that in
OF Colonel Miguel he has been sent his camera
and his horse. | must state that in consideration
OF the friendship OF the Filipino people for the
American, the said soldiers have not been i'm
prisOned. but detained, in accordance with the
spirit Of the decree Of October 20 last They have
been lodged in the Gohiesro Militar. and have
been issued the daily raticns of our officers. II
they have been uncomfortable IL Is due to the
excessive sobrieiy OF our race and Of soldiers,
WHO are accustomed to eat but little and to sleep
tie hard ground. With these explanations |
belicFe, general, you will understand the motive
for the detention OF your soldiers today liberated,
and who have been treated with all due considera-
tion. ] therefore hope that your determination
tuay be another motive on which 10 base or
friendly relations with the great American Re
public, and in consideration OF this also decree
the liberty of the correspondent referred to. /
sm general, as ever. your obedient servant
EMILIO AGUINAL.D0.
Insults to Americans.
'It will be observed that the insurgent
government insisted that this engineer
party was arrested outside of our small field
Of operations, which am confident was rot
the fact. but the correspondence is given
TO show the efforts of the American au-
thorities to maintain the peace. During all
this time our officers and men were in
suited and openly proclaimed to be cow
ards; our outposts were attacked at night
and the impression became general that the
insurgents. Notwithstanding our efforts,
would indulge soon in open attack and in
the belief apparently entertained by them
that they would meet with feeble resistance.
During the entire month Of January they
had lobore6 necessarily to strongly en-
trench their lines and place their artillery
in position, and boasted freely of their
10 drive the American forces out
OF Manila. On the night of February 2
they sent in strong detachment to- draw
The fire Of our outposts. which took up
position Immediately in front Of and within
a few yards of the same The outposts
were strengthened by q few of our men
who silently bore their taunts and abuse
the entire night This was reported to me
by General Macarthur. whom l directed to
communicate with the officer in command
OF the insurgent troops concerned.
His prepared letter was shown me and
approved and the reply received (both
papers found in General MacArthur's ac-
companying report was all that could
be desired. However. the agreement was
ignored by the insurgents and on the even
ing Of February another demonstration
was made on one of our small outposts
which occupied retired position at least
one hundred and fifty yards within the
line which had been mutually agreed upon
an insurgent approaching the picket and
refusing 20 halt or answer when chalieng-
ed The result was that our picket dis
charged his piece. when the insurgent
troops near Santa Mosa opened a spirited
fire on our troops there stationed.
Open HostiIitfes.
The insurgent army had thus succeeded
IN drawing the fire of a small outpost.
which they had evidently labored with all
their ingenuity to accomplish in order to
Justify in some way their premeditated
attack. II is not believed that the chief
insurgent leaders wished to open hostili-
ties at this time, as they were not COM
pletely prepared to assume the initiative
They desired two or three days more to
perfect their arrangements. but zeal OF
their army brought On the crisis which an
ticipated their action. They could not
uaNt utIaseu iOHbr HONtNeIF iUr II was
their object TO force an issue before Amer
lean troops then en- route could arrive at
Manila
4 The movements OF the troops during the
Trotracted engagement which followed
and their success at every point are de-
scribed in the accompanying reports Of
the commanding generals of the division.
] transmit herewith copies OF the most
important telegraphic instructions sent
from these headquarters 10 the different
organizations of the command, from which
the progress of events can be quite ac-
curately traced. cannot speak too high
ly OF the efficiency displayed by the troops
under the most trying ordeals. and where
all organizations engaged conducted them
selves so courageously it would be dif-
hcult TO undertake special mention. Ny
adjutant general, my aides and other mem