The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-23

ernment and the military authorities all
but sacrificed the confidence of the people
and the army in keeping the peace.
When an unlooked-for clash did occur on
territory over which the United States
had no jurisdiction under the terms of
the protocol of August IL, 1898, General
Aguinaldo FASTENED 10 notify General Otis
that ii was regretted beyond all ex-
preston by himself and his Government,
and asked that General Otis consent to
the establishment of a neutral zone be-
tween the two armies pending the DISPOSE
tion Of the Peace Treaty according to the
terms of the protocol OF August Il, 1888.
But General Otis, who had, in the mean
time, received Instructions from Washing
ton, notified General Aguinaldo that since
hostilities had begun they would continue
until such time as the Filipinos laid down
their arms and acknowledged the sover-
eighty Of the United States.''
The Cnuse of HostiIities.
The Democratic campaign book, in the
chapter on the outbreak of hostilities in
the Philippines, contains the following:
Two days before the ratification OF the
Treaty war was commenced between the
United States and the Filipinos under the
following circumstances:
General Otis says in his report that on
the I'd OF February he called General kgui-
naldo's attention to the arrest by natives
of some American soldiers and newspa-
per correspondent. and requested an expla-
nation. Aguinaldo replied that these men
were arrested inside of his lines for
breach of a decree forbidding foreigners
TO approach, taking Photographic views of
the same, or entering the territory with
arms. These lines were not military lines
dividing two hostile camps, but lines
agreed on by the two parties as joint po-
lice regulation for the easier preservation
OF the peace. Aguinaldo did not cause the
American troops to be fired upon because
they came over on his side of the line. nor
did he imprison them. They were lodged
and fed with the Filipino officers and lib
Grated February 4. at the request of Cen
eral Otis.
Let General Macarthur now tell his
story of how differently the Fillpinos Were
treated who came over on our side of tho
agreed line. On the I'd OF February he ad-
dressed note to colonel of the Philip
pine forces as follows:
Sir: The line between your command and my
command has been long established and is well
necessary, under present conditions that this line
should not be passed by armed men Of either
mand
An armed party from your command now C
cupies the village in front Of Block House No. 7.
at point considerably more than a hundred yards
my side Of the line. and is very active in tx
bibitire hostile intentions This party must he
Withdrawn TO your side Of the line at once
From this date, il the line is crossed by your
men with arms in their hands. they must be re-
garded subject to such action as | may deem
Necessary. Very respectfully.
ARTHUR MARTHuR,
Major General L. g. v, Commanding
ITO this the following courteous reply
was Immediately made:
San Juan del Monte, Feb. 2, 1895
Major General Macarthur:
My Vary Dear Sir: In reply to yours dated this
day, in which you inform that my soldiers
have been passing the line Of denarcation fixed
by agreement, desire TO say that this is foreign
to my wishes, and l shall give immediate orders
in the premises that they retire. Truly yours
L. i. SAN MIGUEL,
Colonel and First Chief
Two days later four armed Filipino
soldiers came within our side of the line,
and falling TO stop when challenged, they
were not simply arrested. as in the case
OF like action on the part of our SOL
diers. but fired upon by the American
sentinel and one of them killed. This was
the srst blood shed in the Philippine war