The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-19
MORE REBEL DOCUMENTS
Another Lot of AguinaldO's Papers
Sent 10 the Senate.
A Proclamation Regarding the Es-
tab'ishment of "a Goyernmc nt-Thc
s'oaer TO Throw Bombs-An Al
legged Interview With General Otis.


The President yesterday transmitted to
the Senate a further installment OF docu-
ments belonging to Aguinaldo and other in
surgent leaders captured in the Philip
pines. Included IS a translation of proc
lamation issued by Aguinaldo, dated
Cavite, May "a, 1885 about three weeks
after the battle of Manila Bay, in which he
explains to his dear countrymen'' the
reasons for again taking up arms against
Spain. He says he accepted the peace pro-
posals by Spain and dissolved the forces
| under his command under certain condi-
tiors, for the reason that he believed that
it would be more beneficial TO the country
than to continue the insurrection on very
scant resources.
He goes on to say that some of the in
surgont forces being dissatisfied with the
nom compliance of some of the conditions
had not laid down their arms. and be-
cause five months afterward, Spain had not
carried out the promised reforms which
would have put the island on a level with
the civilized world.
Il see," the proclamation continues,
that the Spanish Government is unable to
struggle with certain elements which con-
stantly oppose the progress of the country
and whose deadly influence has been one Of
the causes of a rising of the masses, and
now, since the powerful and great North
American nation has come, showing dis
interested protection which will enable US
TO secure the liberty of this country / come
to assume the command of all the forces
ready to ensure the attainment of our re-
vived aspirations. l establish dictatorial
L.,
DEGREES issued by my sole responsibility,
and through a council of well-known per-
sons, until these islands, having been
brought completely under my government,
We shall be able TO form constituent re-
publican assembly and name president
with cabinet, into whose hands | shall
resign the command of these same ISL
auds."
Another document is copy of the ere
dantials, dated Cavite, July 6, 1895. issued
b. Aguinaldo to Generals Garcia and
Picarte, whom he empowered to negotiate
for the surrender of Manila and laying
down terms of equalization.
In some correspondence regarding the
attempt of the insurgents to burn Manila
or February %, 1899, is a report made by
Col Armas Blancoa, the insurgent leader
in command at the Tando Suburb he says
that things turned out badly for the in
surgents. On hearing the alarm which
was given at Haya and the outcrys of the
people and the sound of the insurgent
bugles, which were plainly heard there
he had ordered his men to set fire to the
American barracks in order to interfere
with their coming out, as had been agreed
upon. But they found the American troops
awaiting them, and they were received
with yolley which threw the insurgents
INTO confusion and upset their carefully
laid plot.
communication from Colonel Lcyba
TO Brigadier General Torres. dated Tarlac.
October %, 1899, suggests that commits
sion be given the bearer mot named) who
was willing TO go to Manila under COM
mission of the Filipino government to
throw dynamite bombs and set fire TO the
houses on the principal streets and the
principal buildings, especially those occu-
pied by foreigners. Six days later Lieu
tenant Colonel Rusca, in charge of the
Filipino arsenal at Corona. wrote 10 the
director general of artillery at Tarlac that
he had forwarded to the headquarters of
the army, in compliance with superior or
ders, SIX dynamite bombs, ready with
their anvils. pistons. and cartridges of
dynamite, for loading at the proper mo-
ment."
letter TO General Pics. written on
paper used in the private Office of Agui-
naldo, but signed only "l-l-9-I-M - and
in the handwriting of A. Nalvarde. shows
an attempt of Agniualdo to induce Gen
eral Rios. in command OF the Spanish forces
at lloilo, 10 join the issue with the Filipi-
nos against the Americans. The letter is
lated Malolos, October 25 1888. before the
surrender of Iloilo. In it the writer men
bCns some frank warning with noble in
teItions" he had given General Augustip !
! lie commander at Manila. in a letter writ
ten June 8. previous. He then offers to
promote Rios to the grade of lieutenant
general if he will join the Filipino repub- !
lie, and his soldiers. If they did not wish to |
pc into the common army. were to be |
sent back to Spain. He wished General
Rios to send the proposition to Madrid and /.
in the mean time they would fight the |
Americans together He also urges Cen
eral RIGS not to sign the treaty with the !
Americans. urging that the alliance with
the Filipinos were more advantageous.
Another document is the translation of |
the notes of a conversation between the 1
Filipino Commissioners and General Otis
on October "a. 1888, and like !
wise in the handwriting of ValVerde. While |
the conference, according to these notes.
elated primarily 20 the surrender of IloiIo
they conclude as follows:
Senior Seriano states that he has per
'tlNtu dHtduS from General OTIS the ]
earnest intention of annexing us, al
though from the words of the said general
1t can be inferred that there exist in the
Senate at Washington two parties, an
neXationists and anti -annexationists the
first being the stronger and founding their
belief upon the fact that they have incur
red moral obligation to set up a govern
ment themselves since they destroyed the
former one. He also thinks that General
Otis wants TO divide us and he POUNDS this
belief on the fact that he has not yet come
TO an understanding with the central gov
eminent upon the matters described
above, but has preferred TO treat direct
ly with the Visayas Senior Seriano SAYS
finally that General Otis told them that
II was fitting that they should recognize
the American Government because il was
the most liberal of the world. since il will
leave us the government of the country
requiring only that we recognize the Gov
eminent at Washington, and when the
American Government is once recognized.
the riches of the country will be increased.
Besides General Otis told him that the
Americans had no intention OF fighting
since they have an order from Mckinley
10 yield as much as possible, and are
charged to make a study of all the ISL
ands.''