New-York tribune., 1900-09-09
REBELS LOOK TO BRYAN.
Continued from page one.

win the independence we so much desire -
This is what believe you are called upon &c
do. and think that you will never repent It
There is no other remedy-no other path open
DO not forget that many Ffliplnos are losing
their lives every day the defence OF the i'm
possible; that every day the ruin Of property
sacrificed in vain IL greater, and that, If finally
tnere is no help other than to submit to the
american sovereignty, II is not just TO sacrifice
more lives ano property whereby you Will con-
tract BEFORE Goo anu Ina0 responsibilities OF
sucn proportion that they alarm
Stop while you may, and oeleve me that now
Is the appointed time; little later the policy OF
the American Government Will change COM
lletely the sentiment OF that free and noble peo-
PIE, which loves its own liberty much II
desires that of other nations and then a race
war VIII come which will end in our extermina-
believe that with what have said 1 have
performed my duty and complied with your
wishes. l must, however, state that l have done
kind. and also that l have made no special po-
Sltlcal studies nor have had preparation for
speaking upon matters Of this nature. The only
merit OF this opinion is that ii is the manifesto
tion OF the intimate conviction of a citizen who
is inspired by the best of good faith and the de-
sires OF his people.
am. as ever. your affectionate friend and
obedient servant, B. LEGARDA.
AGUINALDO'S REPLY
Personal
Republican Government Of the Philippine ISL
ands, Office Of the President,
Tarlac, September II, 1899.
Sr. Benito Legarda Manila
Ny Distinguished Friend: Your two kind let
ters have reached my hands, and l have in
formed myself of all you say in them. Many
1hsnks for the information you give i beg
that you will pardon me for my delay in making
reply, but must tell you that some time elapsed
before they reached me.
believe what you tell me as to the reinforce
ments Of the enemy which Will not be long in
arriving. Not only do / believe this. but l am
convinced Of this fact and even before the out
break OF hOstilities that with their
wealth and their innumerable and powerful ele-
fnents Of war, they could, whenever they so de-
sired, send as many as they need. In reply to
this must tell You that ii is impossible for me
TO turn back from the enterprise which
have undertaken-that Of defending our coun-
try, and especially as l have sworn that as long
as life lasts ] shall labor until l gain the ac
Acknowledgement of the independence of the Phil
1ppines Do not attribute this declaration to
my vanity, but TO my desire to fulfil a former
promise This aside from the fact that the
struggle for the independence Of our country is
just and based upon our perfect rights.
We not alarmed by the numerous arms or
the valor Of the enemy. What is life to us if
to be the slaves of the foreigner? 1t is
q pity that all the enlightened Filipinos do not
employ their knowledge and experience in the
defence Of their country. ] repeat we will not
give up the struggle until we gain our longed
for independence; death is of but little moment
TO US if we are but able to assure the happiness
of the people and Of future generations.
We must no longer allow ourselves u be fas-
cinaIed by the 7attering promises Of the enemy
You know that they first solemnly assured me
that they would acknowledge our independence
Nevertheless. the attempt is being made to
force autonomy on us by superior strength
They have been using explosive bullets since the
9th Of August last. and have bombarded de-
fenceless forts contrary to the precepts OF in
ternatiOnal laws But it matters not that they
use these elements Of destruction Resistance
and the firmness Of our resolution will be suftl-
clent TO wear them out II this is not enough
TO induce enemies 70 desist from their en-
deavor. will go, If necessary, into the noun
tains, but never will We accept a treaty Of peace
dfshonorable to the Philippine arms and dis
astrous to the future of the country such as
that which they seek to impose. For this reason
I advise all those who do not feel themselves
strong enough to accept this sacrifice. and
whose services not Indispensable to our
Government, to return to Manila and the towns
occupied by the enemy, reserVlng themselves 10
strengthen the organization Of our Government
when independence is gained, replacing
those who, wearied by the struggle, are in need
Of rest.
am not dispIeased that some Fnpinos have
consented to hold office under the Americans;
on the contrary, / rejoice that they have done
so, for thus they will be enabled TO form true
estimate OF the character OF the Americans
also rejoice that our enemies. having had re
course to the FiliDinos for the discharge Of the
duties Of high positions in the public service in
its various branches have shown that they rec
ognize the capacity of our people for self-gov-
eminent.
Before closing I take the liberty of addressing
you the following question: To what is due that
policy Of attraction employed by our enemy If
not 10 the resistance of our army? zone should
never repent of just determination"
Kind regards TO your family, and to Messrs.
Arellano. Pardo, Torres and other frieEds.
Command at will your most Rffectionate friend,
Z. AGUINALDO
ANXIOUS FOR AMERICAN RULE.
The Filipinos who have accumulated any prop
erty were anxious for American rule. which
would bring security for life and property The
condition of affairs when Aguinado held sway
was described in a letter written from TarlaC
by insurgent Filipino to Tagalo friend in
Manila under date OF July II. 1899. He wrote:
Ny Distinguished Friend For some days
nave been trying 10 get into your city and to
leave this band Of thieves, but with my numer-
Gus family it is impossible to travel off the road
and they watch US here so closely that it is i'm
possible 10 get away, which l very much re-
gret- However, I believe this will all end up
some way or other, and great many of the
people here long for the American troops TO ad-
vance for every one is desperate with so much
savagery committed by our army Quiet citizens
are never left in peace, nor any one, in fact who
has as much grain of rice put aside . .
VIII not go into details as to occurrences here
or this letter viii be too long. The bearer will
give you and other friends any information you
may desfe. DO not sign this letter or put
down the address, as to do so might bring dis
agreeable consequences.
General Otis writes:
This letter expressed the opinion Of the men
Of property who were forced to contribute large
~ OF their goods and money to purchase insur-
gent government bonds, Of which an issue
amounting to S5O0,OO0 had recently been made.
II DID not voice the sentiments Of the army Off
GERS, who were enjoying a license of action
never anticipated before its realization and OF
Ihe ignorant masses who composed the enlisted
strength OF that army and preferred TO gain
subsistence through eXaction rather than by the
severe manual labors Of former days The army
offered an excellent field of operations for the
ladrones In which to practise their congenial
Iursults. They had been gathered from all nor
liens Of Luzon, and were Of great service in re-
cruiting diminished insurgent ranks by enforced
orafts on the people. There were however
lerge masses, especially in the sections not vet
visited by United States troops who bclieved
) the American was the cruel barbarian depicted
5y the insurgent press, and that their salvation
depended upon their ability TO drive him from