The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-07-21

Pledges Given the Natives Repeatedly
by American Omcfals

Minneapolis, Mimi, July 1S.-The
Times tomorrow will publish an inter-
view which took place May 18th at San
Isidro, LuZon, between it's special cor
respondent, Martin E. Tew, of the
Thirteenth Minneapolis, detailed by
General Wheaton as brigade interpre-
ter, and Major Lorenzo l.. Zialcita,
leader of Aguinaldo's cavalry and one
of the Philippine commissioners who
went to General Otis with propositions
for an armistice.
Major Zialcita denied emphatically
thai Philippine officials had ordered the
burning Of Manila and the wholesale
murder of Americans and cited as proof
that many Philippine officers were in
Manila that night and were taken pris-
OnerS.
He said the proclamation of General
Otis, proclaiming himself governor gen.
eral, had greatly incensed the Philip
pinos, but asserted that both the Phil
ippino leaders and people believed the
Americans had begun hostilities.
Major Zialcita, speaking of the re-
peated promises of independence made
prior to the fall of Manila, when asked
by Mr.. Tew if in their eagerness for
misunderstood or misconstrued the
language of American officials and Of
ficers, replied:
There is not the slightest mistake
about this. Consul Wildman verbally
made this statement to us and We had
so much confidence in the good inten-
tions of the United States that to us
it meant as much as If it had been de-
livered in writing. Beside, when we
were in Cavite a number of US had the
honor of entertaining Genera Ander-
son at the Athena RiSal. This was be-
fore Manila was taken by your forces.
General Anderson on this occasion made
a speech in which he said that the
Americans had not come here for the
with the view Of permanent posses
sion, but for the purpose of giving the
Philippines their independence.
ION September 21st, last year., on the
| occasion Of a fiesta, a number of Amer
lean officers celebrated with us at the
| residence of Pedarno Pacheco, and al
| expressed the same sentiments. On
by men high in authority that Philip
pino independence would be recogniz-
ed"
What was the opinion of the Phil
lippino leaders in regard to General
; Otis proclamation of January 4th?"
That proclamation replied the
: major. was decidedly bad AND great
~ incensed the people everywhere. il
: stated nothing clearly and promised
| nothing. It was non-committal on a.
| points except that General Otis declared
: himself governor general of the is
lands and hat our country had beer
purchased from Spain. The Philippine
! people desired independence, not an
I neXation."
On being asked if he really though
the Philippine people were educatet
: sufficiently to conduct affairs of loca
and national self-g0vernment, tn:
young Philippine leader replied:
Our people have always been mis-
represented, both by the local and for
eign press. The friars are our wors
enemies and have been active in thi:
regard, as they have always tried L
hold US in subsection. Educational af
fairs have heretofore been in theI
hands and it has served their purpos'
to prevent the people from becoming
too wise; but, ever with this, the vas
majority of the people can rea anC
write"