The times., 1899-02-23
THURSDAY. FkBRUARY %. 1899.


The Projected massacre at uihiih.
When. a week or so ago. General Otis
reported that the provost marshal at Ma
Mia had arrested a number of native con-
spirators who had intended to assassinate
American officers. there was no fair idea
Of the extent and of the source of the
projected enterprise. In the ordinary course
Of his business the provost marshal dis
covered gatherings of armed Filipinos, one
involving a large number, and by arresting
Them he prevented. as he learned soon
after an uprising in the city. Still his in
formation was only partial. He was told
that there was secret organization inside
the town whose members were TO take ad-
vantage of an attack by Aguinaldos
army to kill all Americans not on the
fighting line.
Il transpires that the plot was even
more serious; that nearly all the able
bodied Filipinos in Manila are members of
the rebel militia and that they were to
massacre not only officers and soldiers,
but the American women and children, of
whom there are quite a number, the fam
lilies Of soldiers recently arrived having
accompanied them in many instances. 1t
was especially shocking to learn-and the
fact is said TO be beyond dispute-that
Aguinaldo's alleged government is the
authority that ordered the massacre
through one of its members.
This news comes on the heels of Aguinal-
dos boast that the Filipinos had not violat-
cd the laws Of civilized warfare. The only
modern instances of such barbarism are all
Spanish. and it was this spirit of savagery
that chiefly induced Americans 10 clamor
for aid TO the afflicted Cubans 1t comes on
the heels of Senator Hoar's glowing tribute
10 Aguinaldo and his army and of Senator
Mason's forecast of Lafayette for the
Filipinos. We can fancy the sort of La
fayette who would lend the help of his
sword to the cause OF such fends.
General Otis obtained an authentic copy
nf the massacre order of the AguinaIdo
government four sections of which we
have published. 1t contains exact direc-
tiOns for liberating the criminals confined
in the Bilibid prison TO assist in the
bloody work. which was appointed for eight
O'Clock in the evening when the Americans
were walking in the streets or of their
sHasi-- a. A-4N4- -AA4 Allt tStdDC VI INC
victims was to be prevented by sharp
shooters. After the determination of the
Americans ali Spaniards and foreign resi-
dents Of every nationality were to be
killed. Philippine families only will
be respected. They should not be mo-
Tested, but all other individuals. of
whatever race they may be, will be ex-
terminated without any compassion after
the determination of the army of occupa-
ton
There is no hint of reluctance on the part
of the militia to carry out these horrible
instructions. There were meetings at the
places mentioned, and as was announced a,
the time, only the prompt action of the
provost marshal prevented the execution OF
the plot. These are the people for WHOSE
independence the minority Senators oppos.
ed the ratification OF the Treaty. These
are the savages who are capable of setting
Up Pacific Republic for Americans
70 admire. II is for the independence of
such bioodthirsty wretches that America
is asked to resign any commercial advan-
iages the possession of the Philippines
would give.