Mr. Bryan and Independence
In order to bring home to some of my Democratic and Anti-Imperialist
friends the unreliable character of the testimony of even the very
high officers of the so-called Philippine Republic, I here quote
certain extracts from the Insurgent records, showing the important
part played, doubtless unwittingly, by Mr. William Jennings Bryan in
Philippine politics during the war. The first of these might properly
have been considered in the chapter entitled "Was Independence
Promised?" Others are instructive in that they show the use made
of false news in bolstering up the Insurgent cause, and might with
propriety have been included in the chapter on "The Conduct of the
War." I have thought it best to keep them by themselves. Further
comment on them would seem to be superfluous.
"On May 1, 1900 (P.I.R., 516.6), I. de los Santos wrote a
long letter in Tagálog and cipher to Aguinaldo, in which he
reported upon the progress of what he would have probably
called the diplomatic campaign. If this letter is to be
believed, the agents in the United States of the junta had
been able to form relations which might be of great value to
them. Santos said in part:--
"'Commissioners... Señores Kant (G. Apacible) and Raff
(Sixto López) duly carried out your last instructions given
at Tárlac. Señor Del Pan, sailing by way of Japan, about the
middle of October, and Señor Caney (G. Apacible), sailing by
way of Europe about the 1st of November, met in Toronto about
the middle of February following. But before the arrival of
Kant, Raff had already come from Hayti (United States) and was
able to pry in upon our political friends and enemies. When
they met each other they continued the voyage incognito, as
Raft had done previously, making themselves known to a very
few people; but later on, and according to the instructions
carried by Caney, they made themselves known to a greater
number of people, and have succeeded in interviewing Bryan
who happened to be in New York. Señor Raff said that Bryan
feared being present at a conference, lest he might be called
a traitor by members of his own party, and also by those
of the opposite or "imperialist" party, who are quite proud
over the victories they have gained against our people over
there. Nevertheless, Raff was able to be present and talk at
some of the anti-imperialist meetings, our political friends
introducing him as a friend from the committee (at Hongkong)
and as an advocate of the cessation of the war over there
in order that our sacred rights may be given consideration
by them. And as Bryan could not personally take part in the
conference, he sent a most trusted person, his right-hand man,
Dr. Gardner. The results of the conference between Señor Raff
and Dr. Gardner, the latter acting in the name of Mr. Bryan,
are as follows:--
"'1st. That we may fight on, and Bryan will never cease to
defend our sacred rights. 2nd. That we must never mention
Bryan's name in our manifestos and proclamations, lest the
opposite party might say he is a traitor. 3rd. That we are in
the right; and hence he promised in the name of Bryan that if
this Señor Bryan is victorious in the presidential campaign,
he will recognize our independence without delay. Your honored
self can easily conclude from all the foregoing that Señor Del
Pan, after the receipt of these promises, concurred with him;
and he returned to inform Señor Apacible about the results
of the conference. So these two studied over the plan of
the policy to be adopted and carried out. I write you what
their opinions are, viz.: 1st, that they will reside there,
pending the outcome of the presidential contest, aiding the
propaganda and enlivening it until November, the date set for
the desired thing. Owing to what Dr. Gardner said and promised
in the name of Bryan, some one ought to stay there in order
that Bryan may be approached, if he is elected, so he can
sign the recognition of our independence; and this should
be done at once, lest in his excitement over the victory
he should forget his promise. 3rd. For carrying out the two
propositions just mentioned, they request 2000 pounds sterling,
that is $20,000 in silver, to be used for the propaganda,
for paying newspapers and for bribing senators--this last
clause is somewhat dangerous and impossible. And 4th, that
the money must be sent immediately, and that you should be
informed not to mention the name of Bryan in the manifestos
and proclamations.
"'In order to answer quickly and decisively that proposition,
and as I did not have the desired money here, I answered as
follows: "Plan approved; for the sake of economy we have
decided that one of the two retire, but before doing so
make arrangements, establish communications with leaders of
Bryan's party, and he who remains should thus cultivate the
relations; he who is to retire will locate himself in Paris
near Señor Katipalad (Agoncillo) with whom he will secretly
discuss political problems that may arise. So he will watch
for the opportune moment of Bryan's election, in order to go
immediately to Hayti and formally arrange the contract with
Bryan." [433]
* * * * *
"'By the end of 1899, by the time guerrilla warfare was well
under way, by the time that any Filipino government, unless
an expression of the unfettered will of the nearest bandit
who can muster a dozen rifles may be called a government,
had ceased to exist, a strong opposition to the policy of the
administration had arisen in the United States and a demand for
the recognition of the independence of the Philippines. The
junta in Hongkong were assured that the Democratic party
would come into power in the next elections and that this
would mean the success of the patriotic efforts of Aguinaldo
and his followers. The news was good and was forthwith spread
abroad in "Extracts from our correspondence with America,"
"News from our foreign agents," "News from America," and
"Translations from the foreign press"--circulars and handbills
printed on thin paper which were smuggled into the Philippines
and passed into the hands of the guerrilla leaders who could
read Spanish. They gathered their followers about them and
told them that a powerful party had arisen in America which
was going to give them all they had ever asked for. They had
only to fight on, for success was certain. In America the
"Anti-imperialists" were hanging the "Imperialists," and
they should continue to harry the American adherents among
the natives of the Philippines.
"'There are a number of these publications among the papers
captured from the insurgents, and the adoption of this method
of propaganda seems to have been nearly coincident with
Aguinaldo's orders declaring guerrilla warfare. It does not
seem likely that the matter contained in them was supplied by
a Filipino, for if it was he assumed a general acquaintance
among the people with American politics and American methods
which they were far from possessing.
"'In these publications the Filipinos were assured that
the Imperialists were kept in power only by the lavish
contributions of the "truts," whatever they may have been;
but the people of the United States were growing weary of their
domination and were about to return to the true principles of
Washington and Jefferson. The illustrious Americans "Crosvy
Stickney, and Vartridge" were all laboring for the cause
of Philippine independence. Long lists of American cities
were given in which the illustrious orators Mr. Croshy
and Mr. Schurts had addressed applauding crowds upon the
necessity of throttling the "truts" because they opposed
recognition of the rights of the Filipinos. In August, 1900,
"News from our agents in America" informed its readers that--
"'"W. J. Bryan has stated in a speech that his first
act upon being elected President will be to declare
the independence of the Philippines."
"'On June 16, 1900, Gen. Riego de Dios, acting head of
the Hongkong junta, wrote to Gen. I. Torres (P.I.R., 530),
the guerrilla commander in Bulacán Province, and assured
him that a little more endurance, a little more constancy,
was all that was needed to secure the attainment of their
ends. According to their advices the Democratic party would
win in the approaching elections in the United States, and--"it
is certain that Bryan is the incarnation of our independence."
"'The number of men opposed to the policy of the administration
was said to be continually increasing.
"'The attitude of those who protect us cannot be more manly
and resolute: "Continue the struggle until you conquer or
die." Mr. Beecher of the League in Cincinnati writes us:
"I shall always be the champion of the cause of justice and
of truth," says Mr. Winslow of the Boston League. "Not even
threats of imprisonment will make me cease in my undertaking,"
Doctor Denziger assures us. "I shall accept every risk and
responsibility," says Doctor Leverson. "If it is necessary, I
shall go so far as to provoke a revolution in my own country,"
repeats Mr. Udell. "It is necessary to save the Republic and
democracy from the abyss of imperialism and save the worthy
Filipinos from oppression and extermination" is cried by
all, and the sound of this cry is ever rising louder and
louder.'" [434]
Extract from a letter of Papa Isio [435] dated March 4, 1901:--
"I have received from Luzón an order to proceed more rapidly
with my operations this month, as Bryan ordered Emilío to keep
the war going vigorously until April, and he also said that
if independence was not given the Philippines by that time,
he, Bryan, and his followers would rise in arms against the
oppressors." [436]
"_Tarlac_, Oct. 26, 1899.
"To the Military Governor of This City, and To the Secretary
of the Interior.
"As a meeting shall be held on the morning of Sunday next
in the Presidential Palace of this Republic in return for
that held in the United States by Mr. Bryan, who drank to
the name of our Honourable President as one of the heroes of
the world, and for the purpose of celebrating it with more
pomp and contributing to it the greater splendor with your
personnel, I will be obliged to you if you will please call
at this office to confer with me on the matter.
"God preserve you, etc.
(Signed) "_F. Buencamino_." [437]
In a letter written by A. Flores, acting secretary of war, to the
military governor of Tarlac on October 27, 1899, there occurs the
following:--
"In the United States meetings and banquets have been held in
honor of our Honourable President, Don Emilio Aguinaldo, who
was pronounced one of the heroes of the world by Mr. Bryan,
future president of the United States. The Masonic Society,
therefore, interpreting the unanimous desires of the people,
and with the approval of the government, will on Sunday the
29th instant, organize a meeting or popular assembly in the
interest of national independence and in honor of Mr. Bryan
of the anti-imperialist party, the defenders of our cause in
the United States. The meeting will consist of two functions;
first--at nine A.M. of the 29th the assembly will convene in a
suitable place, a national hymn will inaugurate the exercises,
after which appropriate addresses will be delivered; and
second--at four P.M. a popular demonstration will take place
throughout the town, with bands of music parading the streets;
residents will decorate and illuminate their houses.
"Which I have the pleasure of transmitting to you for your
information and guidance and for that of the troops under
your command." [438]