New-York tribune., 1900-08-27
A PLOT TO TAKE MANILA.
EVIDENCES or CONSPIRACY FOUND
AMONG RICARTEs LETTERS.


Washington. Aug. se--The War Department
has made public letters found among che papers
of General RicaTte, who was recently arrested
by the police near Manila. Among them Is an
unsigned letter in regard "a an attack on
Manila in January, 1900 It states that the
reason for not carrying out the proposed attack
was because OF the small number Of resouts
persons stationed at the gates and because
General Otis had gone on board ship In Manila
Bay Another attack was planned. but not car
ried out, because the enemy made a careful
search of the city "a q result OF disturbances
the previous day The letter advises another
attack, and outlines the following plan
To recruit in your command OF South Luzon
three thousand men OF sure daring and steadi-
ness. These will enter the walled city armed
with knives. The entrance OF this number OF
men Will be effected IN q period OF about three
weeks. 1t Will be easy 10 do II, and I shall
the rest are arriving and as soon as they all
get in / shall give the necessary instructions
blow on the said point. the walled city
After making suggestions as TO the raising Of
funds, the letter continues:
At the same time with all due honor and re-
spect' inform you. General, that It is my
strong belief that to receive a favorable ter
rnination OF this present campaign, IN which We
suner defeats conttnUally-not that any one is
sire Of US Fflipin0s to pursue with the necessary
ardor the lOnged for liberty and independence
OF our dear country-there IS no other way or
stte1nlnS TINS tnan oy carrying out the blow IN
the city Of Manila, since that piece OF land
surrounded with its high and massive wall once
taken. we shall be able TO dominate its suburbs
and as the foreigners live in them shall be
forced TO have direct relations with them. Yes
General / agree with persons OF greater ability
than that the burning Of a few foreign CONNER
cial establishments will be sufficient 10 give a
new color TO the present critical conditions in the
IN TsfvqA hTrr 81
my case briefly: How would the foreigners and
the Americans come to an arrangement in re-
sEo 70 the damage ana preJudlce such con-
migration would cause the first? How would
we And out their agreement? II the property
OF the foreigners is burned and nothing more
Is done We SnaI- not obtain their valuable AID,
we shall never get II; but II in addition we sue
ceed in obtaining possession OF the said walled
city, then with our heads nobly erect we can de-
nnand what we want Of them and OF the enemy
because the first will have 10 submit 10 our au-
rhortty as soon as we can dominate the place
where they are
I state this General for your approval so
that If you approve IL can proceed TO make
oennltely the movements 20 take place IN the
various places and the proper signals I hope.
General, that you will approve this plan. which
is one of the proofs of the ardent patriotism OF
your humble servant
The following note, apparently addressed TO
General Arteuio Ricarte, as chief OF the opera
tons about Manila, and signed by Mariana
Tr1as, Northumberland. follows the above:
In answer to your communication, in which
you inform me Of your desire 10 place yourself
at the head Gn cOmnand) OF the forces that
are TO attack If we operate against Manila
must make known 70 you the great satisfaction
that such desire produces in me, for just that
was the only detail wanting TO complete the
work OF our revolution and TO place in an aWk-
ward position the so much boasted OF good
policy or the enemy, who, ultimate result,
VIII be the one 10 pay the fiddler If your inten-
ton IS carried out in a satisfactory manner and
then there would be appropriate words 10
extol such determination, which, though IL will
not end the war, nevertheless enough will have
been done for the triumph Of our cause, and on
the part OF this government you may be as
sured that no means will be oegrudgsd to give
you as much help and support as you may need
10 carry out 10 happy termination the enter
prise.
Another letter. dated June II. 1900, 70 Ricarte,
and signed Mariana Barroga. fixes June % as
the date for the attack. Julian MontaIan on
June informs the general OF division that the
several Juntas will be ready when called out
Another document, dated March 4. 1900. d.
rects g regiment to shed the last drop OF blood
If necessary, 10 carry out the programme, and
threatens death under the military code to
those who do not assemble at the appointed
places.