The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-06-12


 memorial that both America and Spain
 were without doubt guilty of "an act of bad faith" when the treaty of Paris
 was made. And he further asks:
 ''Wmo is it that has caused these two friends and brethren (the Fflipinos and Americana to wage war upon one an
 other?" To which he gives the melo-
 dramatic reply: Alas, esteemed citi-
 zens of the great American republic, it is the president of your repub- lie, MT, William Mckinley"
 This memorial is dated Tariac, Au- gust 20, 1S99-ffteen minutes after the date on which he himself says the Fiji iplnO government commenced to exer- else the functions of a government. He had, therefore, ample opportunity of knowing the nature and merits of this government, and this is his testi- m0ny respecting it: "The new Filipino state, by it's just and irreproachable procedure, unquestionably merited the consideration and respect of the Amer iean commanders" Yet later on, after the government Of Tarlac had been routed by the American commanders, Don Felipe Buencamino became an ar dent American patriot and denounced the just and irreproachable" govern ment of which he had been 8 member. This was his return for AgulnaldO's s generosity and confidence. Further more, though he says in this memorial that the Filipinos have accepted an enlightened religion-the Roman Cath ollie faith" so anxious is he Ito be in ap- parent harmony with Protestant America" that he forsakes this "en- frightened religion" and has now be- come a deacon in Protestant church. Finally, in order to prove his loyalty to American sovereignty, which he once denounced, but now "loves," he resorts ct his former method of proving his loyalty to Spain. Just on the eve of the presidential election he sent cable, through Governor Taft, to the secretary of war, offering to organize Filipono troops to fight against his felloW-coun- trymen.
 Thus Senor Buencamino has made "a wonderful record; he has been subject to three district temporal and two spir itual powers within three years It is doubtful whether any living man in the world possesses such a record, And I venture to prophecy that he will yet add one more item to his achievement as an international quick change artist. Senor Buencamino has now come to America to speak, not on behalf of the but on behalf of the policy of American sovereignty in the Philippines. It is significant that of all men, should be put forward, or even permitted, to speak in favor of the present policy. It is be- cause he is the only Filipino who is willing to do so? With the exception of Legardo and Tavero-both of whom hold lucrative positions and have sim liar reputation to that of Buencamino- [ do not know of any other Filipino who would come to this country with the statement that 'eighty-flve per gent of the people are illiterate and read or write" or who would utter such painfully fulsome flattery of Governor Taft and the present regime. But Senor Buencamino holds lucra- i've position under the civil govern nent, and as it is certain that he would never again be trusted by the Filiplnos, md as his opportunity of advancement lnder Filipino rule is farever gone, he very naturally loves American sover- ,ignty," and views with very natural lisapprova the proposal that indepen- lence be given to the Filipinos, even in tight years time, It should be consid- ,red, however that Buencamino is not 'eally in favor of the present policy; or he is one of the chief ornaments of he federal party, which adheres to the ,himera that the Philippines are to be- ,ome states of the American Unlan.
 It would be interesting if Senor Buen- amino could tell why it is that this ederal party, holding such a policy las been encouraged by the civil conn missioner encouragement which in many espects is similar to that given to poor Ialvolio In his lofty amorous aspira- ions. It is certain that the federal ,arty is the home of refuge for all hose who want to curry favor with the powers that be, and for those who de- ire to avoid suspicion or escape the 'pinching" that Governor Taft says he the military authorities to nhict on the Wealthier Filipinos who were opposed to American rule, pre- with the idea of inculcating he doctrine of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" With such in ucements to membership, it would also ,e interesting if Senor Buencamno ould tell how many members there were actually enrolled in this federal ,arty. But perhaps we shall have to vait for this information until loyalty o some new regime becomes possible. ,enor Buencamino pays high tribute o the memory of Rizal, now that Rizal s dead and gone. When the martyr ived, his bitterest antagonist was Sen- IT Don Felipe Buencamino, who al ways supported Spain. l have read many of Rizal's letters expressing un- ualified disapproval of the man who low praises the dead that he opposed while living. Let Senor Buencamino eturn to the Philippines; let him live n retirement and when he has shown " acts, and not by high-sounding hrases that he can be loyal to some