The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-26

Enurth OF the Natives or Lux0n ana
Planned the nnsurrecti0n OF 1880, Led
nv a warehouse POrter-A Spaniard's
picture OF the Late American Consul.
A rcmarkable history Of the Katipunan,
tho Filipino Commune which brought
al ont the instructions Of lS96-9S and 1900
i, the Philippines has been written by
Francis St. Clair and published In Manila.
The, author makes no attempt to disguise
his strong Spanish svmpathies, which color
nil lis RACES, but the information that he
gives of the organization and operation
II the secret societies, working under the
cover Of Tagalog Frecmasonry to achieve
tho overthrow Of existing government il
highly interesting since it is at the same
time a history of the Instructions bred by
Rial, Pillar, Bencfacio and Aguinaldo.
The book is devoted especially to the Kati-
n,nan in its relations with Spanish con-
,rol end the men who brought it to the
,nrising of 1895 when Governor General
Blanco notified the Colonial Minister at
Madrid.
VAST organization Of secret societies
Uncovered with anti-national tendencies.
TWENTY-FIVE persons detained, among
them the Gran Oricnte (of Philippine free
masonry of the Philippines and others
Of importance. Immediate action taken
md special Judge will be designated for
greater activity in the proceedings.
The author says that the bulk Of his evil
,ance is taken from Spanish State papers.
Masonry was imported into the archi-
pelago shortly after the Spanish revolu-
ton, but for long time was confined to
Spaniards When il opened its doors to
half-castes and Indians it expanded rapidly,
hnt when Gen Weyler was sent there az
Governor General in 1853, it dwindled
almost to nothing. When Weyler went
away the Filipino revolutionists set about
the establishment of exclusively Tagalog
lodges, 80 that in five years 1870 OF these
were organized in Luzon.
The leaders Of the sedition were notably
Jose Rial and Marcelo II. del Pillar. Rial
went in 1892 to the Philippines, where he
founded the Liga Filipino, which was to be
tho propaganda against Spanish rule,
He was discovered and deported, but re-
turned the following year and took up the
work again. So many discords spranG up
and because OF the growing fear OF de-
lection and punishment the Liga was dis
solved and its records and literature were
made into a bonfire. Rizal advised that
he work should go on In the Masonic lodges
for no one not Mason belonged to the
Liga.
Only the well-to-do or educated classes
were admitted to the Liga. While Rial
was occupied with that organization, Pillar
who was jealous Of his power and popu-
larity, was planning another order similar
In it's objects. but to embrace the agri-
CULTURAL laborers and persons OF little or
no education. This association, which he
projected into Luzon, went to the extremes
Of anarchy. swearing its members to hatred
and destruction Of everything Spanish.
This was the katipunan or, by it's full
name. Misunderstanding Kalagaysn Kati-
punan Nang Manga Anac Nang Bayan,
which is "the Supreme Society Of the Sons
Of tho People"
A person TO be initiated was masked and
led 10 n table on which were a skull and
crossbones, triangle and two candles.
lie was told that the object of the Kati-
runan was the liberating of the Tagalog
people and the expulsion of the Spaniards,
or their destruction. The candidate gave
an imitation of an assassination and of a
suicide and was sworn to obey blindly
tie orders of the Supreme Council under
ain Of death In terminating the cere-
monv The candidate was supplied with a
dagger, with which he made an ncision in
lis Nrni. and in his own blood signed his
pledge 70 the order
Andres Boniiaco. later president Of the
Ittpunan, appeared as secretary Of the
Npprere Council in the first organza-
ton IN 1870? was warehouse porter,
who earned $40 month in Mexican silver
and who aspired TO he President Of the
Filipino Republic. He was man of no edu-
1tiOn. but copied so 70 sounding phrases
when he felt called upon to issue piece Of
writing. + 8 was audacious and having
undermined he first president Of the So
r"tv and put a second an in his place he
soon deposed him and then called himself
DICTATOR of the katipunan. Pamphlets
"rd NrOclanations against the friars and
tho whole Spanish element were issued
~ profusion under his direction and the
in sos Bonifacio had attained a position
a IN" head OF he society which led him
I" h"I"ve the time was ripe for revolt.
He s'nt delegations to Dapitan, where
iN2al was in exile. to ask his advice, and he
opened negotiations with the Japanese
Government for aid, a. the Japanese were
Zen IN the glory of victory over the Chinese.
Spanish military officer made an official
",'mal" To his Government later that one
fourth Of the native population was ASSOC
GATED in the ka;ipunan and that in Manila
and its province alone there were $4,000
m"mbors
hen came the tlcnuuciation Of the con-
sracy and arrests Of many leaders, Boni-
I"cio escaped and called meeting Of the
Supreme Counciland there, at his insistence,
immediate rebellion was decided on. That
was the instruction of 1896 and on Aug. 80
The whole Province Of Manila broke out.
MI CaviLf except the capital rose in insur-
r"ctlon on the following day, assassinating
q civil Guard, assauting the converts
Ind the houses Of the religious orders.
In Lis comments on the spread Of Free
masonry Mr., ST. Clair remarks that il began
\" have its effect Immediately on tho public
and private lives of the Government off
'MIs, and upon the morals Of the people
IN general. The Civil Governor Of Manila
give bail in 1885 to which the cream of
Manila society was invited. Mr.. ST. Clair
writes