The Washington times., 1902-04-05
Original Manuscript Found
and Identified by
Aguinaldo.
REPORT MADE TO THE SENATE
Facts Ascertained in Investigation by
Secretary Root in Reply to Demand
for nformation-Written in Filipino
Officers Own Handwriting.

The Secretary of War sent to the Sem
ate yesterday a reply to the Senate reso-
luton of enquiry in regard to the au-
thenticity of the notorious massacre order
said to have been issued at the beginning
of the Philippine insurrection directing
the massacre of all foreign residents of
Manila.
This order first came to light in re-
port from General Macarthur, who sent
to the War Department copy signed by
Lieutenant Colonel Sandico, who was on
the staff of the late Gen. Antonio Luna.
General Macarthur had been unable to
secure an original Of his order. and its
authenticity was questioned in the Senate
during the last session OF Congress. In
response to the Senate resolution, Secre-
tary Root called upon the officers in the
Philippines to secure. if possible, copy
of the original.
Written by General Luna.
Those officers had believed Sandico to
be the author of the order. The result of
their enquiries has, however, now shown
that General Luna himself wrote the orig
inal order. He did not make copies and
distribute them, but called his officers
These officers made a transcript Of the
order. which they signed.
Accompanying Secretary Roots reply
is a letter from DR.. Manuel Xerez Bur-
gos 10 General Crowder. stating that on
February IS. 1899, he read the order re-
ferred to. and that in April of the same
year. several Filipinos who came from
the insurgent lines, declared that Cen
cral Luna had sentenced them to death
60, D. . hn nr1n
through Dr. Burgos that the original or
der, signed by General Luna. was secured,
and Secretary Root has sent to the Sen
ate a photogra phic reproduction of this
original.
One of the Condemned.
DR.. Burgos explains that he was one of
fourteen men condemned by the insur-
gents as traitors. For the purpose of
clearing themselves of this charge, they
decided to collect all the original papers
possible to show their attitude. 1t was in
pursuance of this determination that
they tried to secure copy of what he
called THE Terrible Order
They were unsuccessful at first owing
to the terror inspired by the insurgents
secret police. but finally succeeded in
finding the original order in the baggage
of Lieutenant Colonel Leyba. This was
in February, 1901. DR.. Burgos adds that
the paper is "clear proof of General
Luna's inqutious methods
Director of War.
At the time that General Luna issued
this order he was director of war of the
alleged Maloios government under Aguin-
aldo. 1t was by Aguinaldos order that
General Luna was assassinated
Soon after the finding of the original
document, F. C. Fisher, private secretary
to General Macarthur. took the paper
to Aguinaldo, who examined the sigma
ture and pronounced it that of General
Luna. adding that he was thoroughly ia
miliar with Luna's handwriting. Aguin-
aldo was asked as to whether General
Luna's authority was sufficient, in the alb
sence of specific directions, to permit him
to issue such an order. Aguinaldo de-
clined to answer.
Secretary Roots memorandum says that
the manuscript of the original order is
much worn and somewhat stained, though
the writing IS legible.
Lieut.. Col. Jose Leyba. in whose ef
fects tha original was found, was a per
sonal friend of General Luna and a mem
ber. OF his staI.