The Philippines: Past and Present Volume II Part 53

"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 Arejola, 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.

"Senor 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 Bulacan 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 princ.i.p.al 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.

"G.o.d 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 subst.i.tuted 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 Pagsanjan 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.

"G.o.d preserve you many years.

"Headquarters, June 24, 1900.