The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-27
MORE FILIPINO LETTERS.
Details of the Plots to Attack Manila
in anuRry and June.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 26.-The War De-
partment has made public letters found
among the papers of General Ricart. re-
Gently arrested by the police near Ma
Mia. Among them is an unsigned letter
in regard to an attack on Manila in jan
uary last. 1t states that the reason for
not carrying out the proposed attack was
because of the small number of resolute
persons stationed at the gates, and because
General Otis had gon aboard a ship in
Manila bay. Another attack was planned.
but not carried out because the enemy
made a careful search of the city, as a
result of disturbances of the previous day.
The letter advises another attack n out
lines the following plan:
ITO recruit in your command OF South
Luzon 5000 men of sure daring and stead
mess. These will enter the walled city
armed with knives. The entrance of this
number of men will be effected during a
period of about three weeks: it will be
very easy to do it and L shall undertake
to place them in safe places while the rest
are arriving. and as soon as they all get
in 1 shall give the necessary instructions
to direct and arrange for cooperation
in the blow on the said point, the walled
city"
After making suggestions as to the rails
ing of funds, the letter continues: A the
same time, with all due honor and respect,
l inform you, general, that it is my strong
belief that to secure a favorable termina-
ton of this present campaign in which we
suffer defeat continually, not that any
one is of much Importance, but they di-
minish the desire of We Filipinos to pur-
sue with the necessary ardor the longed-fol
liberty and independence of our dear coun-
try: there is no other way of attaining
this than by carrying out the blow in the
city of Manila, since, that piece of land
surrounded with it's high and massive wal
once taken, we shall be able to dominate
it's suburbs, and as the foreigners live In
them we shall be forced TO have direct
relations with them. Yes, general. L agree
with persons of greater ability than 1 thai
| the burning of a few foreign commercial
establishments will be sufficient to give
a new color TO the present critical condi.
| tons in the Philippines. but permit me
general, to state my case briefly.
How would the foreigners and the
Americans come to arrangement in regard
to the damage and prejudice such a con
fagration would cause the first? How
would we find out their agreement? If the
| property of the foreigners is burnt anC
nothing more is done we shall not obtair
| their valuable aid. we shall never get it
but If in addition we should succeed in OBJ
| taining possession of the walled city, ther
with our heads nobly erect we can demand
| What xra xvant Of them and of tho anapnx-
because they first will nave to submit t,
orr authority, as soon as we can dominat,
the place where they are.
II state all this, general, for your opinion
so that if you approve it 1 can proceed t
make the necessary preparations and ar
range. fairly definitely the movements I,
take place I'm the various places and tn,
proper signals. L hope, general, that yo,
will approve this plan, which is one of tn,
proofs of the ardent patriotism of this
your humble subordinate"
The following, apparently addressed L
Gen. Artemio Ricart, as chief of the op
e~rations about Manila, and signed by Mari
ana Trias. lieutenant general, follows tn
above: I'm answer TO your communication
in which you inform me of your desire Z
place yourself at the head Qn command
of the forces that are TO attack If we op
crate against Manila, L must make know
TO you the great satisfaction that such
desire produces in me, for just that wa
the only detail wanting to complete tn
work of our revolution and place in al
awkward position the so much boasted o
good policy of the enemy, who. as an ulti
mate result, would be the one to paw tn
fiddler; if your intention is carried out in
satisfactory manner then there would b
no appropriate words to extol such deter
mination. which, though 1t will not end tn
war, nevertheless, enough will have bee
done for the triumph of our cause, and O.
the part of this government you NAV b
assured tina no means will be grudged I
give you as much help and support as yo
may need to carry out TO a happy termina
ton the enterprise"
Another letter. dated June IL last. Z
Ricart, and signed Mariana Barroga. fxe
the 18th of June as the date for the attack
Julian Montalan. on June 4. informs tn
general of division that the several iun
tas will be ready when called out"
Another dated March 4 las
directs a regiment to shed the last drop Q
blood il necessary TO carry out the prc
gramme and threatens death under the mi
itary code to those who do not assemble a
the appointed places.
Troops start for the Orient.