Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-08-10
Friday, August 10, 1900.

Uhirtieth infantry, stationed at Lueban,
Ia the Island Of Luzon. Captain Erwin
q says the document was found In the
church at Lueban when that place was
Rarrisoned by the Second battalion, Thir-
tieth infantry, with enlistment rolls with
names of officers and men enrolled In
conformity to the order. -
The original is in Spanish and the
translation is as follows: .E.-
Proof Against Aguinaldo.
Gentlemen: No. 1853
The Local Chiefs of the Coast.
From Lueban to Guinayangan.
The Office of the Secretary of the In.
terror has seen fit to order the following:
The Secretary of the Interior Of the
G. r. Of the Filipinos in a Geographic
circular of yesterday says to me the fol-
lowing:
From the Secretary Of the Interior to
provincial presidents, to be circulated
among the local chiefs of every town,
Manila.
Push the preparations of all the towns
TO oppose the American invasion. See
that all the inhabitants have their bolos
and daggers prepared, that in every street
or ward there be organized natlonal
militia; every six should have corporal,
every thirteen a sergeant and every TWEEN
ty-six a second lieutenant, every 81 4
6rst lieutenant and every 1O4 captain;
the soldiers Of the national militia should
elect their chiefs of leaders. Make 1t
clear to all that our salvation depends on
ear activity. The local chief Of the La
guna (Lake) will please pass this circu-
lar to the chief of Tayabos, and in this
manner from one to another until all
have received it.
I have the pleasure of transmitting
this to you for your information.
May God guard you,
Santa Ana, Jan. 8. 1899.
(Signed)
ESCOTASTIES SARANDANA.
transmit the same to you for your
knowledge and for all, that they fulfill
with fidelity that which is ordered there
in. Run without loss of time from town
to town and return from the last with
report Of the fulfillment of all that is
hereby ordered.
Lucena. Jan. Z, 1899.
(signed) QUIRTNO ELEAZAR.
Conspiracy Perfected.
This was dated Jan. 5, 1899, just one
month before the insurrection against the
United States broke out. 1t shows that
the conspiracy had then been perfected
and that the Filipino people were being
organized to attack the American troops.
Two days later, on Jan. 7, Aguinaldo
wrote to 4 personal friends in Manila as
follows:
ILL.,
my Dear Don Benito-I write this
to ask you to send to this our government
the photograph you have in your house,
and will pay you whatever price you
may ask. Also buy me everything which
may be necessary to provide the said pho
tograph.
IT beg you to leave Manila with your
family and to come here to Malelos, but
not because wish to frighten you.
merely wish to warn you for your salts
faction, although it is not yet the day or
the week.
"Your affectionate friend, who kisses
Jour hands,
"EM1L1o AGU1NALDO."
Trying to Avert Hostilitiea.
Meantime the American commander-in-
chief, under instructions from President
Mckinley, was doing everything in his
power to avert hostilities and cultivate
terms Of friendship with the Filipinos.
On this point the report Of the Philippine
commission says:
"Aguinaldo endeavored to get the war
making power transferred from congress
to himself. He also urged a heavy bond
issue to secure one million dollars for
the purchase Of arms and ammunition. 1t
Is now known that elaborate plans had
been perfected for a simultaneous attack
by the forces within and without Manila.
The militia within the city numbered ap-
proximately ten thousand they were
armed for the most part with bolos Gen.
Pho del Pillar slept in the city every night.
No definite date had been set for the at
tack, but signal by means Of rockets
had been agreed upon, and it was univer-
sally understood that it would come upon
the occurrence of the first act on the
part Of the American forces which would
afford 4 pretext; and in the lack of such
act in the near future at all events. Per
sistent attempts were made to provoke
our soldiers to fire. The insurgents were
insolent to our guards and made persist
ent and continuous efforts to push them
back and advance the insnrggent lines fur
ther into the city of Manila. 1t was a
long and trying period of insult and abuse
heaped upon our soldiers, with constant
submission as the only means of avoid
ing an open rupture. The Filipinos had
concluded that our soldiers were towards
and boosted openly that we were afraid
of them. Rumors were always prevalent
that our army would be attacked at once.
with great tact and patience the COM
manding general had held his forces in
check, and he now made a final effort to
preserve the peace by appointing a COM
mission to meet similar body appointed
by Aguinaldo to confer with regard to
the situation of affairs and to arrive
ut mutual understanding of the intent,
purposes, aims and desires of the Fill
Pine people and of the people of the Unit
ed States Six sessions were held, the
last occurring ON Jan. %, six days before
the outbreak Of hostilities. No substan-
tial results were obtained; the Filipino
commissioners being either unable or un-
willing to give any definite statements Of
the intent, purposes and aims Of their
people, at the close Of the last session
they were given full assurances that no