The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-19

| The President yesterday transmitted to
| the Senate further installment OF docu-
ments belonging to Aguinaldo and other in
surgent leaders captured in the Philip
pines. Included is a translation Of a proc
lamation issued by Aguinaldo, dated
| Cavite, May "A, 1888. 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-
/ pcsas by Spain and dissolved the forces
under his command under certain condi-
| tioEs. for the reason that he believed that
/ it would be more beneficial TO the country
than to continue the instruction on very
: scaBt resources.
He goes on to say that some Of the in
surgCnt forces being dissatisfied with the
non compliance Of sCme 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
]
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 a dis
interested protection which viii enable US
to secure the liberty Of this country, l come
to assume the command of all the forces
ready to ensure the attainment of our re-
vived aspirations. I establish a dictatorial
government, which will rule BIZ means of
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 a constituent re-
publican assembly and name a president
with a cabinet. into whose hands ! shall
resign the command Of these same ISL
ands.'
Another document is a copy OF the ere
dentals, dated Cavite, July 6, 1895. issued
by 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 report made by
Col. Armas Blancoa. the insurgent leader
in command at the Tando Suburb he says
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
A communication from Colonel Leyba
10 Brigadier General Torres dated Tarlac.
October %, 1899, suggests that a commits
sion be given the bearer mot namedl. who
was willing TO go to Manila under com
mission of the Filipino government. to
throw dynamite bombs and set fire 10 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- I
ment."
a letter to General Pics. written on
paper used in the private Office OF Aguf- /
naldo, but signed only "l-l-g-I-M.." and !
in the handwriting Of A. Nalvarde shows /
an attempt Of AgniualGo TO induce Gen |
sral Rios, in command Of the Spanish forces /
at lloilo. 20 join the issue with the Fiiipi- /
nos against the Americans. The letter is .
dated MdlOlos, October =. 1885 before the I
surrender Of Iloilo. In it the writer men /
tions some frank warning with noble in I
tentions' he had given General Augustin 4
the commander al Manila in a letter writ !
ten June g. previous He then offers 10
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
pass into the common army. We're 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 Gen
.ral RIGS not 70 sign the treaty with the
Americans, urging that the alliance with
he Filipinos were more advantageous.
Another document is the translation of
he notes Of a conversation between the
Filipino Commissioners and General Otis .
on October q. 1888. and like
wise in the handwriting Of ValVerde. While
he conference, according to these notes
'elated primarily to the surrender Of IloiIo
hey conclude as follows:
Senior SerianO states that he has per
,eived already from General Otis the
intention Of anuexing us. al
hough from the words Of the said general
I can be inferred that there exist in the
senate at Washington two parties. an
lexationists and nti-annexationists the
irst being the stronger and founding their
'elief upon the fact that they have incur
ed moral obligation to set up a govern
nent themselves since they destroyed the
ormer one. He also thinks that General
)tis wants TO divide us and he POUNDS this
'elief on the fact that he has not vet come /
o an understanding with the central gov
rnment upon the matters described
hove, but has preferred to treat direct
y with the Nisayas. Senior Seriano saws
inally that General Otis told them that
was fitting that they should recognize
he American Government because il was .
he most liberal OF the world. since il will
cave us the government of the country
equiring only that we recognize the Gov .
rnment at Washington. and when the
american Government is once recognized.
he riches Of the country will be increased
BESIDES General Otis told him that the
americans had no intention Of hghting
ince they have an order from Mckinley
o Weld as much as possible. and are
harged to make a study Of all the ISL
nds."