Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-08-31
A FILIPINO ROMANCE.
Troubles OF the Cortez Family, Gentlefolh
of Manila.

TTOuDIeS OF the COrtez FAlnhyS OehtAeIoAb
of Manila.
The story of the troubles Of the
Cortez family, Filipino gentlefolk Of
Manila, is not without it's romantic
features. Don Maxine and Don
Angel Cortez have just returned to
Hongkong from Washington, happy
in the belief that they are at the be-
ginning of the end of those troubles,
President Mckinley having ordered
the restoration of all their property in
the Philippines confiscated by the
Spanish authorities just before the
commencement of the war. The prop
erty involved is close on $1,000, 600
in value.
When Aguinaldo rebelIed in 1895
Gen. Weyler was recalled from the
Philippines and Gen. Primo de Rivera
took his place. Weyler's policy in the
Philippines had been much on the
same line as his subsequent policy in
Cuba. Rivera adopted no such tactics.
preferring rather to approach the in
surgents with gold in his hands, and,
as is well known, he succeeded in
buying them off, At the same time
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 was the
wealthiest in the Philippines. Not
only was its property contiscated, but
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. Inasmuch 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 re side in Hong
kong. On the outbreak of war be-
tween Spain and America the Cortez
family gave Aguinaldo $40, 900 on the
understanding that he would go to
Manila and fight for annexation to
the United States, and not for inde-
pendence. 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 Aguin-
aldo with money to fight the United
States they would be in II position to
convince the American government
that there was no truth in the story.
That the precautiou was wise one
and that they correctly gauged Aguin-
aldo's character events proved. I'm.
me e1iately on the declaration of war
the Cortez family went to the United
States consulate and formally ten.
dered their allegiance to the United
States; at 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 al! he could to secure for
them their just rights.
When it was known that Aguinaldo
uatt LIS VI ubI ahu SOAO On
on the promise he had made to the
American consul at Hongkong the
Cortez family refused to have anything
more to do with him, and in conse-
quence brought upon itself the enmity
of the Filipino iunta at Hongkong,
which treatened to murder them il
they went to Manila. In fact, an
uncle of Don Maximo, an attorney in
Manila, disappeared some time after.
ward and has never been heard OF
since, although the American military
authorities have done everything in
their power to obtain some clew as tc
his whereabouts.
Realizing that it was impossible for
them to do anything in Hongkong,
they went to Washington and were
kindly re ,eived by the president, the
secretary of state and the leading SEN
ators. Their case having been ably
put forward, an order restoring to
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-
NAMED true to their early promises
and to their oaths of allegiance.