nevertheless adopted, in fault of new and more reliable information.
Ifugao. No such political subdivision existed when the census was
taken. This territory then formed a part of Nueva Vizcaya. A recent
fairly accurate enumeration has shown the original estimate of the
population of Nueva Vizcaya to be grossly in error.
Isabela. This province has lost a part of its non-Christian population
to Ifugao and a part to Kalinga. There remain some Kalingas and
numerous Negritos east of the Cagayan River, but I have no reasonably
accurate estimate of their numbers. The figures given are probably
too low.
Kalinga. This sub-province did not exist at the time of the census
enumeration. The figures given are quite accurate.
La Union. This province has lost all of its non-Christian population
by transfer to Benguet and Amburayan.
Lepanto. The figures now given for Lepanto are accurate.
Lepanto-Bontoc. Carried in the first column, but no entry made in
the second because a direct comparison between the territory which
was included in this province and the corresponding portions of the
existing Mountain Province is not practicable.
Mindoro. No accurate count of the Mangyans of Mindoro has ever been
made, but since the census enumeration the island has been crossed
in a number of places and the estimate now given is believed to be
reasonably conservative.
Misamis. This province has lost its non-Christian population to the
sub-province of Bukidnon.
The Moro Province, as at present constituted, corresponds to the former
districts of Basilan, Cotabato, Dapitan, Davao, Joló, Siasi, Tawi Tawi
and Zamboanga, so that a direct comparison between the census estimate
and the present estimate is possible. The figures given were recently
furnished me by the secretary of the province. They are admittedly
inaccurate, but are believed to be approximately correct.
Nueva Ecija. This province has lost its Ilongot population to Nueva
Vizcaya.
Nueva Vizcaya. Nueva Vizcaya has lost its Ifugao population to the
Mountain Province, but has gained those Ilongots formerly credited
to Isabela, Tayabas, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinán, the net result being
a heavy loss in non-Christian population.
Palawan. The province of Palawan corresponds closely to the territory
included in Paragua Norte and Paragua Sur at the time of the census
enumeration so that a direct comparison is possible. There was no real
attempt to enumerate the non-Christian inhabitants of this province
for the census. Of Moros alone there are some five thousand. There
are said to be approximately ten thousand Tagbanuas in the country
tributary to the region along the banks of the Iwahig River, which
empties into Coral Bay. It is further claimed that there are some
five thousand more back of Bonabóna Point. This does not take into
account the Tagbanua population on the west coast, nor that of the
other Iwahig valley near Puerto Princesa; nor does it include the
Tagbanuas inhabiting the islands of Dumaran, Dinapahan, Bulalacao,
Peñon de Coron, Culion and Busuanga. I here place the non-Christian
population of the province at twenty thousand, but believe this figure
rather low.
Romblon. There are some fifty non-Christians in this sub-province,
survivors of a much larger number who formerly lived in Tablas and
Sibuyan.
Samar. The figures here given are those of a recent estimate by the
lieutenant-governor of the hill people of that island. Most of the
hill people are rated as Filipinos.
Surigao. Surigao has lost most of its non-Christian population to
the sub-province of Butuan, but still has a considerable number of
Manobos and Negritos and the figures given are far too low.
NOTES
[1] Blair and Robertson, Vol. 45, p. 184.
[2] Ibid., Vol. 45, p. 186.
[3] Ibid., Vol. 45, p. 222.
[4] Blair and Robertson, Vol. 45, p. 175.
[5] Ibid., Vol. 45, pp. 213-265.
[6] Census of the Philippines, Vol. III, pp. 578-590.
[7] Ibid., Vol. III, p. 591.
[8] Ibid., Vol. III, pp. 579-580.
[9] Report of Director of Education, 1911-1912.
[10] Barrios are small outlying villages.
[11] Sleeping mats.
[12] Literally, "little lawyers." This designation is commonly applied
to pettifoggers.
[13] An organization which long vigorously combated the cock-pits,
but failed to bring about their abolition.
[14] A hectare is equivalent to two and a half acres.
[15] End of fiscal year 1913.
[16] A fermented alcoholic beverage made from rice.
[17] Cañao is the word commonly used by the northern Luzón wild men
in designating a feast or ceremony. In Ahayao it is also used as an
adjective to designate a place which may not be approached, being
then equivalent to "taboo."
[18] Lieutenant Gilmore, U.S.N., was captured at Baler in the summer
of 1899, and held a prisoner for many months.
[19] The only tribes of which I have not seen representatives inhabit
the region of the gulf of Davao in Mindanao. It is doubtful whether
they are really tribally distinct from the Bagobos, Bilanes and other
tribes living near the coast.
[20] Equivalent to one dollar.
[21] Nearly all our trails are on steep mountain sides.
[22] An untranslatable term of respect and affection given by the
fighting men of northern Luzón to rulers whom they like.
[23] A designation applied to a political division of less importance
than a province, governed by a military officer.
[24] This statement proved to be untrue. They number about twenty-five
thousand.
[25] Not so serious a matter as it may seem, when houses are made of
grass and can be speedily rebuilt.
[26] Bronze timbrels.
[27] The words ladrones and tulisanes are used indiscriminately in
the Philippines to designate armed robbers and brigands.
[28] A fighting knife of deadly effectiveness.
[29] A governor of a province may, with the approval of the Secretary
of the Interior, require members of a non-Christian tribe to take
up their residence on land reserved for such purpose if he deems
such a course to be in the interest of public order. The object of
this provision is to make it possible to compel lawless persons to
live in reasonably accessible places. In only three instances has
it been necessary to exercise this authority. Tumay and his people
were outlaws and were living in a nipa swamp where it would have been
almost impossible to attack them successfully.
[30] One of the most influential of the Palawan Moro chiefs.
[31] Blount, p. 543.
[32] Ibid., p. 573.
[33] "The Philippine Islands and Their People," by Dean C. Worcester,
p. 480.
[34] Blount, p. 580.
[35] Blount, p. 581.
[36] Blount.
[37] Ibid., pp. 581-582.
[38] Blount, p. 576.
[39] William F. Pack, governor of the Mountain Province.
[40] Blount, p. 577.
[41] Blount, pp. 567-568.
[42] Sub-province of Tayabas.
[43] Exclusive of sub-province of Marinduque.
[44] Page 999.
[45] Blount, pp. 231-232.
[46] Blount, p. 232.
[47] Blount, pp. 583-584.
[48] The Philippine Islands and Their People, by Dean C. Worcester,
p. 481.
[49] See p. 639.
[50] Blount, p. 230.
[51] Men who have taken a solemn oath to die killing Christians.
[52] Blount, p. 584.
[53] Delivered October 10, 1910.
[54] Blount, p. 577.
[55] In Nueva Vizcaya.
[56] Blount, p. 577.
[57] P. I. R., 150. 4.
[58] Ibid.
[59] Page 542.
[60] Evil spirits.
[61] This is only too true!
[62] Rizal's 1890 edition of Morga's "Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas,"
p. 297, et seq.
[63] "Sucesos," p. 300.
[64] Ibid., p. 305.
[65] "The Filipino People," Vol. 2, No. 1, p. 15, September, 1913.
[66] On July 15, 1913, I published an official report, as secretary of
the interior, on "Slavery and Peonage in the Philippine Islands." It is
hereinafter referred to in foot-notes under the title of "Slavery and
Peonage." Beginning on p. 84 of this document will be found extracts
from court records showing convictions obtained under this act,
which is quoted in full on p. 83 of the same document.
[67] For the full text of this interesting and important report see
"Slavery and Peonage," p. 85.
[68] This valley includes the Provinces of Cagayan and Isabela.
[69] For the full text of this document see "Slavery and Peonage,"
pp. 12-14.
[70] 1913.
[71] For the full text of this document see "Slavery and Peonage,"
pp. 23-25.
[72] "Respectfully returned to the Honourable the Governor-General
of the Philippine Islands, with the following opinion:
"The acts given in the attached letter of the Provincial Governor of
Nueva Vizcaya, dated September 14, 1905, in so far as they refer to the
purchase and sale of human beings, are not provided for or punished
under the existing Penal Code; but such actions are punishable under
that Code when they constitute either the kidnapping of a minor,
illegal detention or serious threats, according to sections 481,
484 and 494 thereof.
"Therefore, in accordance with the fourth paragraph of the letter of
the said Provincial Governor, I am of the opinion that not only the
Igorrotes who stole the Igorrote boy, but also those who received
and sold him, as well as the woman who bought him for forty pesos,
are guilty of illegal detention. The latter is furthermore guilty
of grave threats, inasmuch as she threatened to kill the purchased
Igorrote if he tried to escape from her service.
"With reference to paragraphs 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the attached letter,
I believe that those who stole the little Igorrote and also the woman
Antonia, who sold him when knowing him to have been kidnapped, are
guilty of the offence of illegal detention.
"If the boy who was stolen and sold, referred to in paragraphs 9, 10,
11, 12 and 13 of the enclosed letter, was under seven years of age,
then those who stole him are guilty of the offence of kidnapping
a minor, and the Igorrote woman, Antonia, and the wife of Señor
Arriola, the Clerk of the Court, are accomplices in the crime. But
if the child was over seven years old, then the offence would be
illegal detention. The same may be said of the case recounted in
paragraphs 14 and 15 of this communication. The parties who stole,
sold and bought the little Igorrote are guilty of kidnapping a minor
or of illegal detention according to the age of the victim.
"The acts committed by Captain Vicente Tomang, referred to in paragraph
16 of this letter, are punishable both as a serious threat and as
illegal detention, because he unlawfully deprived the two Igorrote
women of their liberty when they desired to leave his service, for
which purpose he threatened to kill them.
"Although not asked for in the indorsement to which this is a reply,
I venture to suggest that the Igorrotes who armed themselves and formed
a band for the purpose of kidnapping persons for subsequent sale, be
punished under Act 1121, which penalizes as bandolerismo the abduction
of persons for any purpose, even though there may be no extortion or
ransom demanded, if the abduction be done by an armed band.
(Signed) "L. R. Wilfley,
"Attorney-General."
[73] Also written "Jamaya."
[74] Republished in "Slavery and Peonage," pp. 37-39.
[75] "Slavery and Peonage," pp. 14-15.
[76] Ibid., p. 21.
[77] Ibid., pp. 23-25.
[78] Ibid., pp. 17-19.
[79] "The Filipino People," Vol. II, No. 1, p. 15, September, 1913.
[80] November 1, 1913.
[81] Speaker of the Assembly.
[82] P. I. R., 206. 1.
[83] Dukut means secret assassination.
[84] "I was informed that some Spanish prisoners have succeeded in
escaping. It is necessary to redouble vigilance upon them, especially
upon the officers of rank and upon the friars, because said prisoners
might be of great use to us later on. They should, however, be
well treated, but without giving them liberty, and confined within
prison walls. If the country requires that they should be killed,
you should do so. If you deem it wise, you should secretly issue
an order to kill the friars that they may capture. They should be
frightened."--P. I. R., 471. 4.
[85] Taylor, Ex. 833. Spanish A. L. S. 32-2.
[86] Taylor, 46 AJ.
[87] Ibid., 15 HS.
[88] "To Chiefs of the Philippine Guerillas:
"The undersigned, Chief of the General Staff in the office of
the Captain General, recommends that all chiefs of guerillas,
provided that, in their judgment, there is no obstacle in the way,
should kindly order their subordinates, down to the lowest, to
learn the verb 'Dukutar,' so as to put it immediately in practice.
"It is the most efficacious specific against every kind of
evil-doer, and most salutary for our country.
"Simeon S. Villa.
"Kagayan Valley, November 15, 1900."
Extract from letter-sent book in Spanish of E. Aguinaldo, captured
with him.--P. I. R., 368-3.
[89] Dukutar means to assassinate.
[90] P. I. R., 1281 and 368. 3.
[91] P. I. R., 1199-1.
[92] "1. The presidentes of all towns who subscribe to and recognize
American sovereignty, shall be pursued by all the revolutionists
without mercy and when captured shall be sent to these Headquarters
for a most summary trial and execution as traitors to the country.
"2. All Filipino citizens, including the wealthy, of the towns,
are subject to the preceding regulation.
"3. It shall be the duty of the revolutionary armies with regard to the
towns which shall recognize or intend to recognize such sovereignty,
to destroy the town or towns and without any consideration whatsoever
to kill all males, even the poorest, and set fire to all the houses,
without respecting any property excepting that of foreigners. And
in order that hereafter such misfortunes may not occur, as chief of
this province, I warn all the presidentes and wealthy people of each
town to help us as Filipinos as we are your brothers fighting here
in the field to give liberty to our mother country and woe to the
traitor who falls into the hands of this revolutionary government,
which will strictly carry out all the prescriptions above-mentioned.
"As the government which the invaders are endeavoring to establish is
always provisional, if all the inhabitants of this province are true
Filipinos, they can easily and simply answer that we are subject to
the will of the Honorable President Señor Emilio Aguinaldo, whom we
follow and recognize in this new born Republic as the President of
the Nation."
[93] Taylor, 80 HS.
[94] "January, 1900.
"To the Local Presidente, Tigbauan (Iloílo).
"It is with profound regret that I have to state to you that in
accordance with reliable information this military delegation has
heard that you and various residents of that town have as electors
already taken an oath recognizing the American sovereignty. If this
news is true, you still have time to retract the oath, as otherwise
we will raze that town to the ground without any hesitation whatever,
and you and your companions who have taken the oath shall be considered
as proscribed, and consequently deserving of the terrible penalties
prescribed by the laws of the revolution. This is not a threat: it
is loyal and sincere advice for your own good and that of the town
in general.
"May God keep you many years.
"Pio Claveria,
"Delegate of the Military Government.
"31st, 1900." --P. I. R., 1054-8.
[95] "April 3, 1900.
"To the local chiefs mentioned in the margin.
"I have heard with great sorrow that some of the towns of the
southern district of this province have taken out the certificates of
citizenship issued by the North American enemy, and have also complied
with all the orders issued by them; this is exactly opposed to the
conduct of the northern district of the province and shows little love
for the country and an implied assent to the Government established
by them, for which reason I see myself obliged to impose the severest
punishment which is a sentence of death and confiscation of property
of all those who shall submit to said Government, from the Chief
and his local Cabinet to the lowest citizen, and annihilating their
towns. For this purpose I have ordered the Commanders of Zones to watch
in their respective districts the towns which may show weakness before
said Government, and to impose the punishment which I have mentioned
above. This circular is to be published three consecutive nights for
general information of all, a report that this has been done being
made to these Headquarters. Send it by the fastest couriers from one
town to the other, the last one returning it with the endorsements
of the preceding ones.
"Headquarters of Tierra Alta, April 3, 1900.
"Leandro Fullón,
"General and P. M. Governor."
--P. I. R., 1047. 2.
[96] P. I. R., 1047. 2.
[97] Ibid., 824. 1.
[98] Ibid., 1204. 3.
[99] P. I. R., 981. 5.
[100] "You and Captain Antonio must take the field this week without
any pretext whatsoever, and must follow out my instructions very
carefully. We have had patience enough, and now it becomes necessary
for us to assert our authority.
"It is advisable to punish by decapitation all those who go with the
Americans; but it is necessary first to ascertain the existence of the
crime, and if it should appear that they are real spies of the enemy,
they must be beheaded immediately without any pretext whatsoever
against it (being accepted).
"You, Captain Antonio and Judge Cornello must perfectly understand what
this order says: when the wealthy are Americanistas, you must seize all
their money, clothing and other property belonging to them, immediately
making an inventory of the property seized, and you may remain in the
place where the seizure is made as long as may be necessary to make
said inventory, even though a great amount is spent for maintenance.
"Know furthermore that if the soldiers take any of the property
seized, they will speedily be put to death and will surely go to hell;
therefore when it becomes necessary to enter a town to make a seizure,
you must direct the soldiers not to touch the goods seized, even the
most insignificant, in order to avoid consequence of character.
"I have heard, Rufo, that Judge Cornello is opposed to your
father-in-law, and I want you to know that Judge Cornello is of my
blood; therefore, tell your father-in-law to be very careful because
he will have me to treat with shortly, and will be made to pay for
those threats which he is making against the people without good cause.
"You will publish this order in the town hall, in order that the
evil-minded may see it.
"You, Captain Antonio and Judge Cornello, who are the three comrades
who are to take the field, will acquire some happiness if you comply
with this order.
"Health and Fraternity.
"Dionisio Papa.
"Calibon, May 19, 1900."
--P. I. R., 970. 4.
[101] "Make it evident in that circular that the towns which do not
rise up in arms on the day fixed, shall be reduced to ashes and all
their inhabitants killed, men and women, children and old people.
"The circular is to emanate from me, and you will sign it only by
my order.
"Communicate also to the presidents of Cagayán and other towns that
they collect the taxes of their respective towns, as soon as possible;
and a president who shall not have collected the taxes on my arrival in
the respective town, shall be hung without any hesitation whatsoever.
"I desire that the Presidents meet there soon and await my arrival."
--P. I. R., 970. 5.
[102] P. I. R., 1102. 7.
[103] Ibid., 970. 11.
[104] "March 20, 1900.
"Manuel Tinio y Bubdloc,
"Brigadier General and Commander in Chief of operations in the region
of Ilocos.
"Considering that a sufficient time has passed and various means of
having been employed as benignant as humanity counsels, to inculcate in
the minds of many misguided Filipinos the idea of the country and to
check in the beginning those unworthy acts which many of them commit,
and which not only redound to the prejudice of the troops but also
to the cause they defend, and having observed that such action does
not produce any favourable result on this date, in accordance with
the powers vested in me, I have deemed proper to issue the following:--
"PROCLAMATION
"First and last article. The following shall be tried at a most
summary trial, and be sentenced to death:
"1. All local presidentes and other civil authorities, of the
towns as well as of the barrios, rancherias and sitios of their
respective districts, who as soon as they find out any plan,
direction of the movement or number of the enemy shall not give
notice thereof to the nearest camp.
"2. Those who give information to the enemy of the location
of the camp, stopping places, movements and direction of the
revolutionists, whatever be the age or sex of the former.
"3. Those who voluntarily offer to serve the enemy as guides,
excepting if it be with the purpose of misleading them from the
right road, and
"4. Those who, of their own free will or otherwise, capture
revolutionary soldiers who are alone, or who should intimidate
them into surrendering to the enemy.
"Issued at General Headquarters on March 20, 1900.
(Signed) "Manuel Tinio."
--P. I. R., 353. 8.
[105] Guardias de Honor.
[106] "So then dear brothers, be like those of Bacnotan who have not
allowed their honour to be sullied, for when they saw the Guards
of Honour enter their town they drove them off at once with blows
[of bolos?--Tr.] and cudgels and to the end that you may not have
cause to repent of what without doubt I shall be obliged to do,
comply with this order, listen to the following:
"First. Whenever the Presidente of the town, Cabezas and Cabezillas
of barrios shall have knowledge of the presence in their barrios
of Guards of Honour, be they many or few, and do not cause their
disappearance or death, they will be immediately shot or beheaded.
"Second. Every barrio or residence of the Guards of Honour where
they are going about persuading the inhabitants to follow them in
their noxious work--that we may be slaves forever--will be burned
and all their property together with their houses; and their sons,
their fathers, mothers and their wives will be shot or beheaded to
pay for their treason.
"Third and last. All the grown men in the barrios, territorial
militiamen or those called 'sandatahan' (bolomen), corporals, sergeants
and privates, and everybody who is a Filipino will go immediately
to help in the fight against the Guards of Honour and our enemy,
the Americans; and those who pay no heed to this or hide themselves
will incur the penalty of being shot or beheaded.
"This proclamation will be read in the barrios and will be passed
from hand to hand so that it may be copied to the end that nobody
may have an excuse when the time comes to put into execution what
has been set forth."--P. I. R., 168. 9.
[107] Taylor, Exhibit 1083.
[108] P. I. R., 509. 2.
[109] "September 11, 1900.
"To the local Presidents of Malolos, Bulacan, Guiguinto, Bigaa,
Bocaue, Marilao, Meycauayan, Polo, Obando, Santa Maria, San José,
Angat, Norzagaray, Bustos, San Rafael, Baliuag, Pulilan, Quingua,
Santa Isabel, Barasoain, Paombong, Hagonoy, Calumpit, and the military
commanders Pablo Tecson, Bonifacio Morales, Maximo Angeles and Colonel
Simon Tecson Libuano, Colonel Rosendo Simon, and also Major Dongon.
"Circular
"As the American Civil Commission has taken charge of the
government of the archipelago from the first of the present month
and from that date will proceed to establish municipal government
in the pueblos to take the place of the municipal councils which
at present rule them; in order to duly execute the orders of
the Commanding General of the Centre of Luzon, I give you the
following instructions:--
"1st. You will arrest and send to these headquarters with the
proper precautions to prevent escape, all inhabitants of these
pueblos who accept offices in the municipal governments about
to be established by the Americans, as they have been declared
traitors to the country by the order I have referred to as issued
by these headquarters.
"2d. You will employ the same method of procedure with those
who favour the establishment of municipal government by the
Americans. You will not show them the slightest consideration, even
if they are your brothers. You are responsible under the severest
penalties for the performance of this. God keep you many years.
"Malolos, September 11, 1900.
"I. Torres,
General."
--P. I. R., Books C-3.
[110] P. I. R., 341. 9.
[111] "Two weeks ago a court-martial was held at these headquarters
presided over by Colonel Aréjola, on you, Tuason, and other civil
authorities of this capital, the decision being that you will be shot
when we get there, which will be very soon.
"You as well as Tuason and Santachia, after having been shot, will
be hung on the cathedral tower to be seen by the inhabitants in order
that you may serve as a lesson.... I tell you this only as a companion
and nothing more. Your obedient servant, who kisses your hand.
"El Montero."
--P. I. R., 2007. 1.
[112] P. I. R., 716. 2.
[113] P. I. R., 716. 5.
[114] Taylor, 35 HS.
[115] P. I. R., 650. 8.
[116] "PROCLAMATIONS
"March 3, 1899.
"For general information, since it concerns everybody, we publish the
two important proclamations lately issued by the Chief of Military
Operations of Manila.
"Antonio Luna y Novicio, General of Division of the Army of the
Philippine Republic and General-in-Chief of Military Operations
about Manila.
"In order to prevent any act opposed to the military plans of these
headquarters and consequently to the ideals of the Filipino Republic,
I order and command (only one article). From this day any person or
individual whatever who either directly or indirectly refuses to
give aid to these Headquarters in the prosecution of any military
plans, or who in any manner whatever interferes with the execution
of orders dictated for that purpose by the General in Chief,
commanding operations upon Manila will be immediately shot without
trial. Communicate and publish this order.
"Given at the General Headquarters of Polo on the 3rd of March, 1899.
"Antonio Luna,
"General-in-Chief of Operations."
--P. I. R., 214-2.
[117] That is, Luna.
[118] "March 6, 1899.
"Señor Presidente: Many complaints have been received here on account
of the abuses committed by General Luna. It is said that he has
lately published a decree in which he warned the people that those
who disobey his orders shall be shot to death without summary trial,
and he made his decree cover the whole province of Pampanga.
"To be shot to death without summary trial is a punishment which can
be inflicted on soldiers; but a chief cannot enforce it in a civilized
community, except among savages. Besides, he has only jurisdiction
over Polo, where the General Headquarters is, and over the towns of
the zones of Manila.
"I am very much surprised that these things are not well understood
by General Luna. He has no executive power over Bulacán and Pampanga;
he must have issued his orders through the military chiefs thereof.
"During such time as he is the commander-in-chief of operations of
Manila he is not the director of war, and even if he is, he has no
power other than to conduct his office and to take the place of the
secretary in his absence.
"If an educated man can hardly understand his duties, how will the
uneducated one understand his?
"Please make him acquainted with all of this in order to prevent
any encroachment.
"I am at your orders.
(Signed) "Ap. Mabini.
"P.S.--It would be better, I think, to remove him from his post.
"A. M."
--P. I. R., 512a-2.
[119] "April 6, 1901.
"Cailles Brigade. Flying column of Rizal and Nagcarlan.
"In conjunction with Captain Macario Dorado, I believed it my duty to
attack the town of Nagcarlan, for the principal purpose of killing
the American local presidente, as was done during the procession
last Holy Thursday. The Presidente was killed and one of his sons,
and two residents were wounded, probably by stray bullets, while
taking part in the procession.
"Which I have the honor to communicate to you for your information
and consequent effects.
"God preserve you many years.
"Nagcarlan, April 6, 1901."
(Illegible signature.)
"To the General in Chief and Superior Politico-Military Commander of
This Province."--P. I. R., 1142. 8.
[120] The Insurgent leaders did not hesitate officially to report
the commission of this ghastly crime. The following is such a report:--
"June 24, 1900.
In Margin, stamp: "Headquarters First Column, Laguna. No. 144.
"I have the honor to transmit to you the enclosed letter from a
resident of the town of Pila who had just returned from Manila, in
which he gives me news of our present political situation, and as
such news are satisfactory to our cause I send you said letter for
your information.
"It is known from very trustworthy information that General del Pilar
is under arrest in Manila and he has been substituted in the command
of his forces by Colonel Macanca, who was his second in command,
and is at the present time repressing with a firm hand the bandits
who swarm about the outskirts of the zone under his command, as one
of the celebrated bandits named Major Eusebio de Rateros, who had
previously been in Pagsanján was buried alive in the cemetery of
Taguig by Captain Simplicio Tolentino who is at the present time a
member of that brigade.
"The news is also confirmed of the execution of Major Espada ordered
by General del Pilar. I send you this news for your information.
"God preserve you many years.
"Headquarters, June 24, 1900.
--P. I. R., 605. 4.
"Julio Herrera,
"Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding 4th Column.
"To the General and Politico-Military Commander and of Operations of
This Province, General Camp."--P. I. R., 605. 4.
[121] "A commissioner of the Katipúnan society at Ibung, Nueva Vizcaya
Province, compelled the inhabitants to take the oath of allegiance
to that organization, and issued orders that all who should refuse
to follow the dictates of the same should suffer death; and, in
pursuance of such orders, was proved to have had, in February, 1901,
two men beaten to death, one man buried alive, and two women burnt
alive."--Taylor, 38 HS.
[122] At the time of this event he was a judge of first instance.
[123] Taylor, 35-36 HS.
[124] P. I. R., 653. 10.
[125] P. I. R., 332. 9.
[126] Ibid., Books A-1.
[127] Blount, p. 203.
[128] Ibid.
[129] Ibid., p. 244.
[130] "June 5, 1900.
"Sr. Local Presidente of Katibug:
"I send you a little of the poison known as 'dita' that you may
put it on the points of the 'balatik' and 'sura' (spears and traps)
admonishing you to take care that none of our people are wounded with
the said poison, and if by misfortune any one is wounded, immediately
apply the stem of the 'Badian' mixed with that of the 'lingaton' in
the wound, as this is the most efficacious means of neutralizing and
removing the effect of said poison. Be active and place many of the
spears, etc., in all the roads and trails where the enemy must pass,
and as soon as you know of his next expedition, inform me immediately
by despatch, both by day and night.
"It is very necessary that the people detailed to place the poison on
the points carry always the 'badian' and 'lingaton' so that in case
of mishap some one may apply the remedy to neutralize the destructive
ingredients of the poison at once.
"Headquarters of Matuguinao, 5th of June, 1900.
(Signed) "Lukban, General.
(Seal) "Military Headquarters of Samar."--P. I. R., 502. 7.
[131] P. I. R., 2035. 3.
[132] The following issued by Col. R. F. Santos in Albay Province is
a sample:--
"October 14, 1900.
"In view of the present exceptional state of affairs in our beloved
mother country, the Philippines, considering the straits we are in,
and in compliance with the order of the General of Division and Chief
of Operations for his campaign plans, I trust that upon receipt of the
present communication you will kindly order the captains of territorial
militia of that barrio, Apud, Pantao and Macabugos, to have all the
soldiers of their respective companies provide themselves with at least
fifty arrows apiece and a sufficient quantity of the well-known poison
called dita to apply to the points of the arrows, and to have their
bolos well sharpened. I must remind you that as repeated practice
is essential in order to secure the best results in the use of these
weapons, you will endeavour to have at least twice a week, according
to the convenience of the residents, said exercises take place in
secluded spots, far from all danger of being surprised by the enemy.
"For the purpose indicated above you will likewise order that all
the residents of your respective barrios have ready in a safe place
a supply of the fruit commonly called Ydioc, putting it in water to
decay, and to also have in readiness a squirt gun, that is to say,
a 'Sumpit,' in order to use it in case of any invasion or attack of
the enemy."--P. I. R., Books B, No. 113.
[133] The following is a sample report:--
"February 4, 1900.
"Lieutenant-colonel C. Tinio:
"My Dear and Esteemed Uncle:
"I am now carrying out a scheme here in this town for the purpose of
killing some American sentries, whose bodies will be buried in the
woods near the town, where they cannot be traced and found by their
comrades, in order to avoid any investigation by them. They will
believe that these soldiers have deserted. I have just sent to Gerona
for a supply of wine, which, mixed with a strong, sickening stuff,
will be sold to them; once they drink of it, the effect will soon
tell on them, and then we will seize their rifles.
"I feel that I should advise you of this matter, in order that you
may know the reason if, perchance, it should happen that we lose
the confidence of the inhabitants of the town on account of this
scheme. However, we will be satisfied if we can seize some rifles
without resorting to violent means or to a scandal.
"This is the purpose of your devoted nephew, who always prays God
for your health and life, and who sends you his kindest regards.
"San Juan (Tarlac Province?), February 4, 1900.
(Signed) "Leoncio Alarilla,
"Captain of Guerillas."
--P. I. R., 480. 5.
[134] The following is a sample report. It will be noted that its
author was a civilian, not a soldier:--
"January 19, 1900.
"Sr. Lieut. Col. A. Tecson:
"With due respect I address you to inform you that yesterday at 10
A.M., I was in the barrio of Bagonbaulat and I saw one of the enemy's
soldiers who was lagging behind his companions, and what I did was to
order the man in charge of that place and three men to be called whom I
ordered to capture the said soldier, and when a prisoner I ordered him
to be led to the woods and there they killed him and buried the body;
the rifle he carried and ninety cartridges I left with the people and
continued my march to San Isidro; on my return when I was to get the
rifle mentioned I could not find it and they told me they had sent
it to Major Manolo. I inform you of this in compliance with the order.
"God guard you many years.
"Entablado, 19th January, 1900.
(Signed) "Roman I. Torres,
"Commissioner."
--P. I. R., 573. 2.
[135] "At page 1890 of the same volume, Captain J. R. M. Taylor,
14th U. S. Infantry, a gallant soldier and an accomplished scholar,
who was in charge in 1901 of the captured insurgent records at Manila,
states that he was 'informed' that the document was originally 'signed
by Sandico, then Secretary of the Interior' of the revolutionary
government. Captain Taylor made an attempt to run the matter down,
but obtained no evidence convincing to him. A like investigation by
General MacArthur in 1901 had a like result."--Blount, p. 200.
[136] "Luna's Order:
"'Malolos, February 7, 1899.
"'To The Field Officers of the Territorial Militia:
"'By virtue of the barbarous attack made upon our army on the
fourth day of February without this being preceded by any strained
relations whatever between the two armies, it is necessary for
the Filipinos to show that they know how to avenge themselves of
treachery and deceit of those who, working upon our friendship,
now seek to enslave us.
"'In order to carry out the complete destruction of that accursed
army of drunkards and thieves, it is indispensable that we all
work in unison, and that orders issued from this war office be
faithfully carried out.
"'As soon as you receive this circular, measures will be taken
for strict compliance with the following orders:
"'(1) Such measures will be taken that at 8 o'clock at night the
members of the territorial militia under orders will be ready to
go into the street with their arms and ammunition to occupy San
Pedro street and such cross streets as open into it.
"'(2) The defenders of the Philippines under your orders will
attack the Zorilla barracks and the Bilibid guard, and liberate
all the prisoners, arming them in the most practical manner in
order that they may aid their brethren and work out our revenge;
to this end the following address shall be made to them:
"'Brethren: The Americans have insulted us and we must revenge
ourselves upon them by annihilating them.
"'This is the only means for obtaining justice, for the many
outrages and infamies of which we have been the object. All the
Filipinos in Manila will second us. May the blood of the traitors
run in torrents! Long live the independence of the Philippines!
"'(3) The servants of the houses occupied by the Americans and
Spaniards shall burn the buildings in which their masters live
in such a manner that the conflagration shall be simultaneous in
all part of the city.
"'The signals for carrying this into effect--shall be to send
up two red paper balloons and the firing of rockets with lights
and firecrackers.
"'(4) The lives of the Filipinos only shall be respected, and
they shall not be molested, with the exception of those who have
been pointed out as traitors.
"'All others of whatsoever race they may be shall be given
no quarter and shall be exterminated, thus proving to foreign
countries that America is not capable of maintaining order or
defending any of the interests which she has undertaken to defend.
"'(5) The sharpshooters of Tondo and Santa Ana shall be the
first to open fire and those on the outside of the Manila lines
shall second their attack, and thus the American forces will find
themselves between two fires. The militia of Trozo, Binondo, Kyapo
(Quiapo), and Sampalok shall follow up the attack. All must go
into the streets and perform their duties.
"'The militiamen of Paco, Ermita, Malate, Santa Cruz, and San
Miguel shall attack when firing has become general everywhere,
which will be approximately about 12 o'clock at night; but if they
see that their comrades are in danger before that time they shall
give them the proper assistance and go into the streets whenever
it becomes necessary.
"'The Spanish militia enlisted as volunteers in our army shall
go out at 3 o'clock in the morning and attack Fort Santiago.
"'Brethren, the country is in danger and we must rise to save
it. Europe sees that we are feeble, but we will demonstrate that
we know how to do as should be done, shedding our blood for the
salvation of our outraged country. Death to the tyrant! War without
quarter to the false Americans who wish to enslave us! Independence
or death!
"'A. Luna.
"'Malolos, February 7, 1899.
"'Colonel José: By order of General Luna, have several copies of
this made, in order that these instructions may be communicated
to all.'"--Senate Document 331, part 2, p. 1912, Fifty-seventh
Congress, First Session.
[137] Major F. S. Bourns.
[138] Dr. Manuel Xerez Burgos.
[139] This is the "note by compiler on exhibit 816," which is Luna's
order.
[140] Taylor, 96 FZ.
[141] Taylor, 99 FZ.
[142] Ibid., 44 HS.
[143] Blount, p. 313.
[144] Taylor, 70 HS.
[145] "In December, 1900, the people of the town of Santa Cruz, Ilocos
Sur, seized the guerilla commander of the town because he had raped
some women, and then burnt their acts of adhesion to the insurgent
government. They declared themselves adherents of the Americans,
proceeded to give them all possible aid and assistance, and captured
and delivered to them all the guerillas who dared enter the place
(P. I. R., Books C-13)."--Taylor, 45 HS.
[146] P. I. R., Books A-9, No. 39.
[147] Taylor, 37 HS.
[148] Taylor, 28-29 HS.
[149] The essential part of the resolution reads as follows:--
"Whereas since the completion and publication of said census there
have been no serious disturbances of the public order save and except
those caused by the noted outlaws and bandit chieftains Felizardo
and Montalón, and their followers in the Provinces of Cavite and
Batangas, and those caused in the Provinces of Samar and Leyte by
the non-Christian and fanatical pulajanes resident in the mountain
districts of the said provinces and the barrios contiguous thereto; and
"Whereas the overwhelming majority of the people of the said Provinces
of Cavite, Batangas, Samar, and Leyte have not taken part in said
disturbances and have not aided nor abetted the lawless acts of said
bandits and pulajanes; and
"Whereas the great mass and body of the Filipino people have, during
said period of two years, continued to be law-abiding, peaceful,
and loyal to the United States, and have continued to recognize and
do now recognize the authority and sovereignty of the United States
in the territory of said Philippine Islands: Now, therefore, be it
"Resolved by the Philippine Commission in formal session duly
assembled, That it, said Philippine Commission, do certify, and it
does hereby certify, to the President of the United States that for
a period of two years after the completion and publication of the
census a condition of general and complete peace, with recognition of
the authority of the United States, has continued to exist and now
exists in the territory of said Philippine Islands not inhabited by
Moros or other non-Christian tribes; and be it further
"Resolved by said Philippine Commission, That the President of the
United States be requested, and is hereby requested, to direct said
Philippine Commission to call a general election for the choice of
delegates to a popular assembly of the people of said territory in the
Philippine Islands, which assembly shall be known as the Philippine
Assembly."--Journal of the Commission, Vol. I, pp. 8-9.
[150] A designation applied by the Spaniards to people who had taken
to the hills to avoid paying taxes or to escape abuses, or punishment
for crimes.
[151] A Tagálog designation applied to the common people, and
especially to field labourers.
[152] See p. 699 et seq.
[153] Mabini's "True Decalogue," published as a part of his
constitutional programme for the Philippine Republic (P. I. R.,
40. 10) contains the following among other remarkable provisions:--
"Elementary instructions shall comprise reading, speaking and
writing correctly the official language which is Tagálog, and the
rudimentary principles of English and of the exact physical and
natural sciences, together with a slight knowledge of the duties of
man and citizenship."--Taylor, 19 MG.
Also the following:--
"Whenever the English language is sufficiently diffused through
the whole Philippine Archipelago it shall be declared the official
language."--Taylor, 20 MG.
Of this language matter Taylor says:--
"Mabini's plan of having English the language of the state is odd. He
wanted independence and he wanted the recognition of the right and of
the ability of the natives to govern themselves; and yet he wanted them
to adopt a foreign language. By the time this pamphlet was published,
or shortly afterwards, Tagálog had been tried and found wanting. The
people of the non-Tagálog provinces did not know it and showed no
desire to learn it, and indeed protested against its use. Spanish,
and all things Spanish, Mabini was weary of, and would sweep them
all away. Yet, when he wrote this he did not know English."
[154] Brigandage.
[155] 8-3/4 miles.
[156] Lady of the night.
[157] Carabao is the Filipino name for water buffalo.
[158] Of the endless cases which might be given I cite the following
as a fair sample:--
"Personally appeared before me the undersigned ----, this 24th day
of July, 1913, W. A. Northrop, who first being duly sworn, deposes
and says:--
"'1. That he is a duly appointed Public Land Inspector of the Bureau
of Lands of the Government of the Philippine Islands and that acting
in such capacity on the 3d day of June, 1913, he visited the sitio of
Buyon, barrio of Maddelaro, Municipality of Camalaniugan, province of
Cagayan and there investigated the complaint of homestead entrymen
Pascual Valdez and Tomas Valdez whose applications for land in the
said sitio of Buyon under provision of Act No. 926 as amended had
been entered by the Director of Lands under No. 9253 and No. 9254
respectively, that they were prevented from occupying said homesteads
and deriving the benefits therefrom by certain persons living in the
barrio of Maddelaro:
"'2. That while so investigating the claim of the said entrymen and
their opponents he was told by Placido Rosal, one of the opponents to
the homestead entrys, that "it was immaterial to him what decision was
made by the Director of Lands concerning the land as, if he (Rosal)
lost the land he and others would burn the houses of the entrymen and
if necessary kill them"; this in the Spanish language with which he
is familiar.
"'3. That at that time he was accompanied by Mr. Blas Talosig of the
barrio of Buyag, who was acting as his interpreter in speaking in the
Iloco language and that these threats were made in his hearing and that
he, W. A. Northrop, was informed by said interpreter that he not only
heard them but that he heard similar threats made in the Iloco language
by various other persons, henchmen of Placido Rosal and his family.
"'4. That on the 9th day of June, 1913, said entrymen came to him
in the City of Aparri and reported that on the night on the 7th day
of June the granary of Eduardo Baclig, resident in the said sitio
of Buyon and a son-in-law of Tomas Valdez had been burned and an
attempt made to burn his house and that while the entrymen were not
in position to prove that said Placido Rosal or his henchmen had
started the fires they were sure they were of incendiary origin, as
due to the direction of the wind the fires could not have originated
from sparks from kitchen fires.'
"Further deponent sayeth not.
(Signed) "W. A. Northrop.
"Subscribed and sworn to before me this 24th day of July, 1913, in
Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Philippine Islands, the affiant first having
exhibited his cedula, No. 1516, issued in Manila, January 3, 1913.
(Signed) "Primitivo Villanueva
"Notario Publico,
"Mi nombramiento expira el
"31 de Diciembre de 1913."
"Extract from a report of H. O. Bauman, chief of Bureau of Lands
survey party No. 27. Report dated June 30, 1913:
"In 1905 the applicant (Fernando Asirit) entered an application for
homestead and proceeded to clear the remainder of the land not already
cleared. Sometime during the following year or two, this Catalino
Sagon began to clear a piece of land included in the homestead
application. When Fernando Asirit saw the man cleaning the land, he
told the man that that particular land was included in the homestead
and that the work he was doing was useless. Catalino admitted this to
me personally. However, the applicant to show his good faith, paid
Catalino a sum of ten pesos for the small area that he had cleaned
and took a receipt therefor and Catalino left the land. Now when the
private surveyor came in 1910, this Catalino appears and claims this
land despite the fact that he never cultivated nor occupied the land
and that he received payment in full for the work that he had done
in clearing an acre of the land. When the land was surveyed in 1910,
Catalino at the request of a politician of Ilagan, made a protest
against the land and between the two they frightened the applicant
into letting this Catalino have possession of the land. Since 1910,
Catalino has not cultivated the land but loaned it out to another
person, Frederico Mayer by name. Personally, Catalino did not ever
cultivate or live on the land. The politician who has been stirring
up this trouble is Gabriel Maramag, third member of the Provincial
board. The applicant is an old man seventy years old and this Maramag
had the old man fined P125.80 for refusing to let these two have his
land. They also told him that if he persisted in refusing to let them
have the land, they would fine him P500. As the old man has no such
amount and being thoroughly bulldozed by these cheap politicians,
he had no other course to pursue. The co-partner of the third member
is the Sheriff Joaquin Ortega against whom the people are very bitter
on account of his shady dealings. It might be noted here that these
men are under investigation by the Constabulary now for accepting
money illegally. Furthermore this Maramag has the plans of the land
of a great many men in his house and thus has a hold on them and they
cannot do anything without his consent."
[159] The best evidence of what the average Filipino cultivates is
found in the free patents. Of the 15,885 free patents applied for
the average area is declared to be 7-3/4 acres; 4,025 Free Patents
have been actually surveyed; their average area is only 5 acres.
[160] Frequently and wrongly called rosewood.
[161] Damar.
[162] An extensive open region covered with cógon is called a cogonál.
[163] First year for which statistics are available.
[164] Twice the actual figures for the first half of the year:
$3,942,647; $194,296; $123,339.
[165] First year after Payne Tariff Bill took effect.
[166] On March 1, 1913.
[167] On January 1, 1913; increase of six months only.
[168] Only railroad line in operation prior to 1907 was 122 miles of
the main line of the Manila Railroad Company.
[169] First year of operation.
[170] On February 1, 1913; increase of six months only.
[171] The Philippine Railway Company has recently changed its
accounting from the basis of the Government fiscal year (beginning
July 1) to a calendar year basis. Figures are not therefore available
for a complete twelve months subsequent to June 30, 1912. The figure
for the first year on the new basis (ending December 31, 1912, and
duplicating part of the last amount given above) is $376,512.
[172] No accurate statistics before 1907 and 1910, respectively.
[173] Increase due to change in definition.
[174] On January 1, 1913.
[175] Increase of six months only.
[176] No accurate statistics before 1907.
[177] Literally "disillusion."
[178] Oct. 1, 1913.
[179] "Of course, the writer did not mention that Manila is an
out-of-the-way place, so far as regards the main-travelled routes
across the Pacific Ocean, and also forgot that, as has been suggested
once before, the carrying trade of the world, and the shippers on which
it depends, in the contest of the nations for the markets of Asia,
would never take to the practice of unloading at Manila by way of
rehearsal, before finally discharging cargo on the mainland of Asia,
where the name of the Ultimate Consumer is legion."--Blount, p. 49.
[180] "... Manila, being quite away from the mainland of Asia,
could never supersede Hongkong as the gateway to the markets of Asia,
since neither shippers nor the carrying trade of the world will ever
see their way to unload cargo at Manila by way of rehearsal before
unloading on the mainland;..."--Blount, p. 44.
[181] Unhusked rice.
[182] There were also exported 423,877 pounds of cuttings, clippings
and waste during 1910, and 914,630 pounds of the same materials
during 1912.
[183] Made of Manila hemp, and used for sewing into hats.
[184] Blount, p. 571.
[185] First year for which statistics are available.
[186] Twelve-sevenths of the actual figures for the first seven months
of the year: $15,320,794; $13,751,421; $29,072,215.
[187] Estimate based on collections to March, 1913.
[188] Estimate made pro rata on the basis of the figures for the
first seven months.
[189] "It is precisely these Americans, and their business associates
in the United States, who have gotten through Congress the legislation
which enables them to give the Filipino just half of what he got ten
years ago for his hemp, and other like legislation, and the Filipinos
know it."--Blount, p. 118.
Also the following:--
"Apparently, Messrs. Roosevelt and Taft thought, in 1907, that
granting the Filipinos a little debating society solemnly called
a legislative body, but wholly without any real power, was ample
compensation for deserted tobacco and cane plantations, and for
the price of hemp being beaten down below the cost of production by
manipulation through an Act of Congress passed for the benefit of
American hemp manufacturers. If we had had a Cleveland in the White
House about that time, he would have written an essay on taxation
without representation, with the hemp infamy of this Philippine Tariff
Act of 1902 as a text, and sent it to Congress as a message demanding
the repeal of the Act. But the good-will of the Hemp Trust is an asset
for the policy of Benevolent Assimilation. The Filipino cannot vote,
and the cordage manufacturer in the United States can. No conceivable
state of economic desolation to which we might reduce the people
of the Philippine Islands being other than a blessing in disguise
compared with permitting them to attend to their own affairs after
their own quaint and mutually considerate fashion, the Hemp Trust's
rope, tied into a slip-knot by the Act of 1902, must not be removed
from their throats. By judicious manipulation of sufficient hemp rope,
you can corral much support for Benevolent Assimilation. Therefore,
to this good hour, the substance of the hemp part of the Philippine
Tariff Act of March 8, 1902, remains upon the statute books of the
United States, to the shame of the nation."--Blount, pp. 614-615.
[190] First year of operation.
[191] On December 31, 1912; increase of six months only.
[192] Twelve-sevenths of the actual figure for the first seven months
of the year: 736,246 tons.
[193] The figures for coal importations are exclusive of the quantities
imported from the United States by the federal government. These
are excluded because they have been for the most part made in large
quantities in alternate years, and would, therefore, while considerably
increasing the average total amounts imported, give a false idea of
the rate of increase of the more strictly domestic consumption.
[194] Twice the actual figure for the first half of the year:
204,094 tons.
[195] There were several different plans for the confiscation of the
friar lands. The following shows the action taken in one instance,
relative to the property of Spanish prisoners:--
"On February 2, 1899, the secretary of the treasury informed the
governor of the province of Isabela that the property of all Spanish
prisoners should be confiscated as booty of war."--P. I. R., 1302. 6.
[196] The following telegram was sent to the cabinet by the director
of diplomacy, Manila:--
"December 21, 1898, P.M.
"Missed the train on account of government business. Beg of you to
pardon my absence, and bear in mind my suggestion to look up an easy
method of abolishing the law imposing a tax of 100 to 5000 pesos
on foreigners, as not only unjust but impolitic at this time, when
we seek the sympathy of the powers. I represent to the cabinet that
such step is very urgent, because I have ascertained that members of
the chamber of commerce have reported this tax to their respective
governments in order to formulate a protest."--P. I. R., 849.
[197] This name is properly applicable to the civilized peoples only.
[198] P. I. R., 1097. 2.
[199] Ibid., 1157. 8.
[200] Ibid., 1018. 1.
[201] Title X.--Of Public Instruction.
124....
Elementary instruction shall comprise reading, speaking and
writing correctly the official language which is Tagálog, and the
rudimentary principles of English and of the exact, physical and
natural sciences, together with a slight knowledge of the duties of
man and citizen.--Taylor, 19 MG.
[202] "The Mastery of the Pacific," p. 122, A. R. Colquhoun, Macmillan,
1902.
[203] In this connection Bishop Brent has said, "The recognized
leaders in the Philippines to-day, so far as racial qualifications are
concerned, would have at least equal right to claim citizenship in
Spain, China or England. Thus far, it is the men of mixed blood who
are the politicians. The degree of capacity in the Filipino will not
be revealed until the schoolboys of to-day are in active public life."
[204] Literally, "Filipinos of face and heart." The expression means
Filipinos in appearance and in sympathies.
[205] "But there is no doubt that many of the Filipinos after all have
a very warm place in their hearts for the Spanish people. How could it
be otherwise when so many of the Filipinos are sons and grandsons of
Spaniards? Much of like and dislike in life's journey is determined
prenatally. On the other hand, the American women in the Philippines
maintain an attitude toward the natives quite like that of their
British sisters in Hongkong toward the Chinese, and in Calcutta toward
the natives there. The social status of an American woman who marries
a native--I myself have never heard of but one case--is like that
of a Pacific coast girl who marries a Jap.... But look at the other
side of the picture. When an American man marries a native woman,
he thereafter finds himself more in touch with his native 'in-laws'
it is true, but correspondingly, and ever increasingly out of touch
with his former associations. This is not as it should be. But it is a
most unpleasant and inexorable fact of the present situation."--Blount,
pp. 554-555.
[206] "We should either stop the clamour or stop the American capital
and energy from going to the Islands. After an American goes out to the
Islands, invests his money there, and casts his fortunes there, unless
he is a renegade, he sticks to his own people out there. Then the Taft
policy steps in and bullyrags him into what he calls 'knuckling to
the Filipinos,' every time he shows any contumacious dissent from the
Taft decision reversing the verdict of all racial history--which has
been up to date, that wheresoever white men dwell in any considerable
numbers in the same country with Asiatics or Africans, the white man
will rule."--Blount, pp. 438-439.
[207] Blount, p. 105.
[208] Written September 15, 1913.
[209] The editor of an American newspaper published at Zamboanga has
accurately described the attitude of the native press as follows:--
"We have often referred to the great opportunity prevailing for the
native press of the Philippines to aid the material and political
uplift of the inhabitants. Conditions of race and dialect naturally
conduce to facilitate this work for the native journalist. With few
exceptions, however, the native press has persistently obstructed
every effort toward general amelioration of the condition of the
masses. Conspicuous efficiency in good government has furnished a
target for its denunciation. Truth has been garbled, motives maligned,
race hatred kindled, falsehood fabricated and sedition practised,
encouraged and lauded. The public school system, the intrinsic
foundation to free institutions, instituted under the military régime
and constantly expanded under the civil régime, has been interpreted
by the native press as a pernicious effort to oppress the masses by
the enforcement of a foreign language upon them. The efforts to stamp
out cattle disease and for the restoration of draft animals have been
maligned as being oppressive to personal liberty. The sanitary measures
which have so renovated the very atmosphere of the archipelago have
ever been the mark of derision and violent attack. When cholera and
plague have claimed their hundreds daily, efforts at prevention have
persistently met with opposition from the native press. Officials
with the most unselfish motives have been persistently insulted,
slandered and maligned. The American flag, which is the only emblem
giving assurance of safety in the home, peace from abroad, liberty
of opportunity, and equality and justice before the law, has been
constantly smeared with the opprobrium of a malignant, filthy native
press. Progress of the Philippine people as a whole is retarded."
[210] On March 15, 1913, the Assistant Executive Secretary had occasion
to write the following letter to the Governor of Capiz:--
"My Dear Governor Altavás: I have to acknowledge receipt of your
communication of the 28th ultimo, complaining against the Justices
of the Peace of Jamindan and Tapaz for failing 'to salute' you when
visiting said towns, although your visits were frequently announced
in advance, and the Justices of the Peace were in town at the time.
"The theoretical principles of democracy prevailing under this
government do not require such courtesies as a matter of law. It may
be that, as your letter intimates, the Justice of the Peace should,
as a matter of courtesy, call on you when you are in his town,
but failure to do so in no wise constitutes ground for complaint,
and were we to take your complaint seriously and cause it to be
investigated, we would be indeed in serious danger of receiving a
lecture on democracy from either the Judge of the Court of First
Instance or the Justice of the Peace himself.
"I believe that, under the circumstances, the best course to be taken
in the matter would be for you to withdraw the complaint, for even
if the Justices concerned admit the charges, no administrative action
against them would be possible.
"Very sincerely,
(Signed) "Thomas Cary Welch
(Active Executive Secretary)"
[211] Municipal building.
[212] Literally "authorities," by which is meant municipal officials.
[213] Blount, pp. 296-297.
[214] This is a rather open threat to fight.
[215] Corrupt Spanish for "very bad American Government."
[216] "Constitutional Government in the United States," by Woodrow
Wilson, Ph. D., LL. D., pp. 52-53.
[217] I am indebted to the Honourable Gregorio Araneta, secretary of
finance and justice, for a summary statement of the judicial reforms
effected since the American occupation, on which this statement is
largely based.--D. C. W.
[218] The engineer officer of the province.