The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-26
PATERNO PLAYING MARTYR.
FILIPINO LEADER WHO REFUSES
TO LEAVE MANILA JAIL.
IL Causing American Authorities in
Philippines Much Annoyance by
Stirring Up sedition Among Ma
tives-Peace Proposition Prepared

-
| MANILA. July 15.-The recent political
| vagaries. in Manila of Don Pedro Pa
| terno, a prominent insurgent. have re-
| ceived but little comment in the local
| Spanish press, because the press censor
prohibited the publication, both here and
| In the United States. of this mans strange
doings. Paternos liberation from jail 1or
the purpose of working on the peace
propositions begun by Don Felipe Buen-
canine, his immediate publication of n
most remarkable document in favor of
Philippine independence his subsequent
reincarceration and the fact that he then
took the oath OF allegiance to the United
States and was freed. but declined to ac-
cept his liberty, electing to remain in jail
and pose as a martyr. read more like an
act from comedy than the truthful rec
ords of weeks political happenings in
Manila.
Palermo came to Manila about thsse
months ago from Vigan. He says he sur
rendered. but the army reports say he
was captured. In Manila he was placed
in the Anda street Jail. along with Buen-
canine and other political prisoners.
While there he meditated political coups
studied English. and was well lodged and
fed at government expense.
When Gen. Otis was leaving Manila ne
liberated Buencamino, with the under
standing that he would use his influence
with the Filipino people toward bringing
about peace. Buencamino worked away
on these lines alone until about the middle
Of June, when he realized that Paternos
influence would be a good thing to have
on his (Buencamino's) side of the under
taking; so permission was obtained from
Gen. Macarthur for Palermo TO leave the
Jail every day. In order to more easily
confer and work with Buencamino Pa
terno returned to the Jail nightly. and II
was understood between Gen. Macarthur
md bfpnzalf his efforts and 1ttftf1a
must primarily embrace the recognition
Of the sovereignty of the United States in
the Philippines. With Gen. MacArthurs
permission, there occurred June 21, the
locally famous meeting In Paterno's house.
where about 200 weil-known revolutionists
met to discuss the terms of an honorable
and dignified peace with the American
army.
Palermo II Checked.
Thirty OF the 200 men present were liber-
ated from the Anda street Jail purposely
to attend the meeting. and, after a stormy
and spicy session. they resolved that peace
could be obtained on eight certain bases,
which that same evening were handed to
Gen. Macarthur. The next morning the
general was stricken with a local fever.
which prevented his attending to his off-
cial duties for nearly week. This delay
In the proceedings was seized upon by the
Filipino enemies of Buencamino's PLANS
scneme as well. but the latter were pas
sive) TO start an anti-peace campaign in
the country. with the idea Of fores, ailing
the good that the Manila group hoped TO
accomplish.
During the delay caused by the Ameri-
can generals illness Palermo sprang mis-
coup d'etat. In the form OF most remark.
able and impertirent document, without
sequence. without head or tail, which be-
san with quotation from plan OF phil
ippine government and ended with Quota
lions from European statesmen like Glad
stone, Won Moltke, etc.
Paterno's plan was nothing less than
seditious plea for Philippine independence.
and IL had diapuieting effect on the
people Ii was published simultaneously
in all OF Manla's Spanish papers,
method OF publicity which Insured It's
In this document Palermo set forth what
he and his followers graciously would
deign TO accept from the United states,
IN exchange for cessation OF hosttlit'es
by tho Filip,nos. He conceded the change
OF the name FL ,ino republic to thai OF
Free Philippine state as sop TO the
American national pride: he demanded th1
admission on basis of equality, Of Fil.-
pinos into the american army, navy ana
consular corps. he demanded tho recoEni-
ton of the Filipino flag, but saw no OBJ
section TO tho Stars and Stripes living by
its side.
After many ,prnted columns of rules for
our future restriction and guidance in
Philippine affairs. by which he practic-
ally limited our power and control to the
protection OF the International relations
OF the Free Philippine state" Palermo
remarked that when the United States
had concurred In the foregoing. he opined
there would be peace. He also announced
n meeting In his house for the following
Sunday TO discuss his new programme.
"A soon as the real nature and signif-
cance of Paternos utterances were made
known to the military authorities, they
forbade the meeting In question. and Pa
ierno was sent back 60 the Anda street
Jail and kept ircommunicado.
stirred the Natives.
The Filipino people jump az conclusions.
They do not always read carefully. and
reason clearly. and Palermo worked his
document In such a way that the common
people at once concluded that the United
pie all that Palermo had asked for. and
Paternos stock as the man who had Oh
tanned these remarkably favorable CON
accordingly. on the streets natives talked
voluhly OF the new concessions" and said
they had always known they could bring
the Yankees 10 terms eventually.
And during these days there was much
talk ~ uprisings In MAnila-explosivs
bombs were found IN the streets. houses
we're fred. Gen. Estrelia and Gen. Ri
carte were captured IN Manila, each bold
Is admitting they were here 20 take par;
In an. uprising. and Rieartes followers
passed pictures Of Aguinsldo among the
crowd at Tondo market. whispering mys-
tcriousiy that the time had come. Rut
the exeitment about an uprising died
down. and Palermo took the oath - aila-
gianco 70 the United States before the
provost marshal In Manila. Col wlilstou.
and Was given complete liberty. But com
plcte liberty did not suit Palermo As long
as he was In jail he could pose before the
people AS a martyr IN the cause % indie
pendcnce. and 20 do this Is part o, his
scheme So now he voluntarily returns to
iail every uight saying he will not leave
AnAa street until every political Filipino
prisoner under American dGrance has nrSt
been set free
The prompt action by the American mill
tary authorities STOPPED the spread Of the
Palermo PROPAGANDA. but they were too
late 20 Stnn among The nafives the feeiinEs