The Van Buren press., 1899-07-22
MAI ZIALCITA INTERVIEWED.
Alsuinaldo.s Cavalry Leader Gives
the Filipino View of the He
ginning of HostiIities.

oi
Minneapolis. Mimi, July 19-The
Times publishes an interview which
took place. May Is, at San Isadro, LII.
zon. between its special correspondent
Martin +. Tew, of the Thirteenth Min
nesota detailed by Gen. Wheaton us
brigade interpreter. and Maj Lorenzo
l.. Iialcita, leader of Aguinaldo's cav
airy, and one of the Filipino commits
siorers, who went 10 Gen. Otis with
propositions for an armistice.
An Emphatic Denial.
Mai. Zialcita denied emphaticallN
that Filipino officials had ordered the
burning of Manila and the wholesale
murder OF Americans, and cited rs
proof that many Filipino officers were
in Manila that night and were taken
prisoners.
FiIipinos Greatly Ineensed.
lie said the reclamation of Gen.
Otis announcing himself governor gen.
eral had greatly incensed the Filipinos.
but asserted that both the Filipino
leaders ana people believed the Amer
leans had begun hostilities.
Maj. Iialcita. speaking of the re-
puted promises of independence made
prior to the fall of Manila. when asked
by Maj. Few if in their eagerness fof
independence the Filipinos had no.
misunderstood or miseonstrued the
language of American officials and Of
fcers, replied:
No Mistake About 1t.
"rhere is not the slightest mistake
about this Consul Wildman verbally
made this statement to us. and we had
so much confidence in the good in
tentions of the United States that to
us it meant as much as if it had been
delivered in writing. Besides when we
We're in Cavite a number of us had
the honor of entertaining Gen. An
derson at the Athena Risal. This WAS
before Manila was taken by your
forces. Gen. Anderson, on this occa-
sion, made a speech, in which he said
that the Americans had not come here
for the purpose of taking one foot of
territory with the view of permanent
possession, but for the purpose of Civ
ing the Filipinos their independence.
"On September 21 last year, on the
occasion of Il fiesta, a number of Amer
lean officials celebrated with us at the
residence of Pedarno Paeheo. and all
expressed the same sentiments. On
many different occasions we We're told
by men in high authority that Filipino
Independence would be recognized
What was the opinion of the Fill
pino leaders in regard 10 Gen. Otis
proclamation of January ~
Was Decidedly had.
THAT proclamation replied the
major, WIS decidedly bad. and great.
ly incensed the people everywhere. 1t
stated nothing clearly. and promised
nothing. 1t was non-eommittal on ali
points, except that Otis declared him
self governor general of the islands
and that our country had been pur
chased from Spain. The Filipino p o.
pie desired indenpendece. not anneXa-
ton
On being asked if he really thought
tlit illltbitlo Iptbl'i' WIZ SUNNI
educated TO conduct affairs of local
and national elfgoyernment, the
young Filipino leader replied
Misrepresented by the Press.
Our people have always been mis-
represented, both by the local and for
eign press. The frars are our worst
enemies. and have been active in this
regard. as they have alwaye tried to
hold us in subiection. Educational af
fairs have heretofore been in their
hands, and it has served their purpose
to prevent the people from becoming
too wise. But even at this, the vast
majority of the people can read and
write"
Mai. Zalcita was told that many
people in the United States believed
it a sacred duty for the United States
to take possession of and govern the
Philippines, inasmuch as the natives
were not capable of government.
TO this he replied
should Have Given Them "a Trial.
This would have been ii reasonable
proposition if we had demonstrated,
after a fair trial, that our government
was inadequate to protect life. prop
erty and personal rights. How could
we prove our fitness OF untitness for
self-government until he had been
given an opportunity to show what
we could do?'
Referring to the telegram of Febru-
AIRY 20. sent by Gen. Otis relative to
the order of the Filipino government
to burn Manila and massacre the
whites in the city. the Filipino ennis
sary, with flash of anger on his face.
replied:
1t Was False. Absolutely False.
THAT vas false, absolutely false.
| No such order was ever issued by Of
| ficials at Malolos. If Gen. Otis found
| any such written order, il was the
work of friars, or some other enemy
| of ours. This is not race war. We
| Realize that in order to win we must
| have the support of civilized nations,
and must conduct our affairs accord
| ingly.'
Early the following morning the
commissioners escort started for Ma
Mia to see Gen. Otis.
| silver For Euroue.