diff options
Diffstat (limited to '37587.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 37587.txt | 7487 |
1 files changed, 7487 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/37587.txt b/37587.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e232c3a --- /dev/null +++ b/37587.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7487 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Katipunan, by +J. Brecknock Watson (AKA Francis St. Clair) + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Katipunan + or The Rise and Fall of the Filipino Commune + +Author: J. Brecknock Watson (AKA Francis St. Clair) + +Release Date: October 1, 2011 [EBook #37587] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KATIPUNAN *** + + + + +Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net/ for Project +Gutenberg. (This book was produced from scanned images of +public domain material from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + + + THE KATIPUNAN + + An Illustrated + Historical and Biographical Study + of the Society which Brought about the + Insurrection of 1896-98 & 1899 + Taken From Spanish State Documents + + By + FRANCIS ST. CLAIR + + Manila + Tip. "Amigos del Pais," Palacio 258 + 1902 + + + + + + + + + THE KATIPUNAN + Or + The Rise and Fall of the Filipino Commune + + + By + FRANCIS ST. CLAIR + + Manila + Tip. "Amigos del Pais," Palacio 258 + 1902 + + + + + + + + + + + + TO THE HONORABLE FILIPINOS + Who, True to the + Principles of + Patriotism + + +have not harbored in their hearts sentiments of ingratitude toward that +noble Nation which raised them to the level of civilization to which +they have attained, not have at any time conspired against the lawfully +constituted authorities, Spanish or American, of this Archipelago. + +To such honorable Filipinos as these, it gives me the greatest pleasure +to dedicate this small work, as a token of the genuine respect in +which they are held by + + + The Author. + + + + + + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + +"Manila, 21st (Aug. '96).--The Governor General to the Colonial +Minister: + + + Vast organization of secret societies discovered with anti-national + tendencies. + + Twenty-two persons detained, among them the Gran Oriente + (of Philippine freemasonry) of the Philippines, and others of + importance..................................................... + ............................................................... + Immediate action taken and special judge will be designated for + greater activity in the proceedings............................ + ............................................................... + + --Blanco. + + +Such was the telegram sent by Gen. Blanco and read by Sr. Castellano +in the Spanish Camara, announcing the discovery of the revolutionary +movement headed by the Katipunan, the bastard child of Filipino +freemasonry. + +Freemasonry in the Philippines was but a pretext: under this pretext +the enemies of Spain, in days of Spanish rule, and the enemies of +the U. S. in these days of American rule, put themselves into close +and secret communion, to earn out plans of revolt. + +This Filipino masonry cast its net far and wide, and in its meshes were +caught many fish of all classes and conditions; some of them men of +money who sought in masonry what money could easily purchase,--honors +and titles, grand crosses and medals; others were men whose pockets +were more or less replete, and whose aims were of a great variety of +natures; whilst others were men whose treasuries were more or less +empty and who sought in masonry what they did not care to earn by +honest labor--a livelihood. + +Masonry was imported into the Archipelago, shortly after the Spanish +Revolution, and was, during the first years of its life, confined +to Spaniards; but later on it opened its doors to half-castes and +indians. In 1887 it extended by leaps and bounds; but upon the +coming of Gen. Weyler to the Archipelago, as Governor General, in +1888, it dwindled away almost into nothingness. Gen. Weyler was, +and has ever shown himself, a patriotic Spaniard; and he would not +permit the existence here, under his Governorship, of anything which +tended to the detriment of his country. Well did the masons of the +Philippines and elsewhere know this, and hence the vicious and cruel +campaign they carried on against him both in the Peninsular and Cuba, +but more especially in the U. S. of America. + +The Katipunan, the bastard child of filipino masonry, that ungrateful +offspring which was unfaithful even to the mother which brought it +forth, was a society within the bosom of which was redeveloped the +malay instinct which had lain dormant for some three centuries. This +instinct, brutal, savage, intensely ignorant, immoral, ungodly; +an instinct found still among some of the uncivilized tribes of the +mountain fastnesses of Luzon; an instinct once almost blotted out after +many years of most difficult labor and self-sacrifice on the part of +the Religious Orders, once again burst forth in all its strength. + +The indian left to himself, deprived of the curbing influence of the +christian religion, speedily falls back into the condition of depravity +in which Urdaneta and Legazpi found him. The malay instinct, like the +volcano, vomits forth when least expected; the history of the revolt of +the Tagalogs gives overabundant proof of it. Take one by one the many +leading characters in the revolution, and the instinct will be found +so plainly marked, that it is unmistakable. Take for instance Marcelo +H. del Pilar, in whose brain was conceived the plot of the Katipunan +farsical-tragedy; Andres Bonifacio, whose duty was the materializing +of the plot; the Lunas, Juan especially, who had some time previous, +in Paris, given an example of how easily the malay burned through the +veneer of civilization to which the Filipino indian is susceptible; +and so on, including the Aguinaldos, the Mabinis, the Agoncillos +and even many of those, who in these days boast in public of their +americanist ideas, and in private plot with treacherous zeal to +overthrow the government of those they call their deliverers from +Spanish tyranny. In them all may be traced the strange instinct +of the old time filipino indian. Entering the fold of freemasonry, +they threw off the bridle of religion which restrained them; loosing +respect for Almighty God and for their faith they soon lost respect +for others and for themselves. The result is well known. History, +the history of the last five or six years, has shown it to us. + +It is of this society of notables--for such is the meaning of the full +title of the Katipunan--that I wish to say a few words in the following +pages. I have taken as a foundation for my study, a very concise +statement of the whole situation, drawn up by Capt. Olegario Diaz, +Commander of the Guardia Civil Veterana de Manila. This document being +an official statement, is of vital interest in the study of the birth, +life and internal corruption of that diabolical association which, +gigantic though it was, comparatively speaking, could, by reason of +its infantility, have been easily stifled, had it been dealt with, +with a strong hand. I have taken the document as a base, and by a +series of notes in the form of a somewhat more lengthy appendix, +have endeavored to provide my readers with a file of interesting +items of historical value. + +This pamphlet is not intended to be a history of the rebellion; I have +endeavored to confine myself to the society which brought about the +revolt, and if at any time I have strayed from the path I laid out +for myself, it has been because there was by the wayside some flower +I wished to pluck to add to the bouquet I herewith present to you. + + + + + + + +STATEMENT OF CAPT. OLEGARIO DIAZ [1] + + +FREEMASONRY + +It is fully proved that freemasonry has been the principal factor +for the development in these islands, not only of advanced (2) +and anti-religious ideas, but chiefly for the foundation of secret +societies, possessing a character especially separatist (3). This +conviction I have come to after the examination of a countless number +of documents, and the much correspondence this Corps (4) fell in with, +after laborious work and investigations, in the possession of several +well known filibusters (5) who are at the present time prisoners; +these documents and parcels of correspondence were included in the +military suit tried before Colonel D. Francisco Olive (6). + +"Some 20 years ago, there was installed in this country, a lodge +dependent upon the Gr. Or. Espanol (7): a lodge which was inoffensive +in its beginning because it was composed of peninsular Spaniards, with +the absolute exclusion of the native element of the Archipelago. In +this form it developed languidly until the year 1890. + +"During this epoch, the Filipino colony resident in Madrid, Hong-Kong +and Paris, in the which figured as exalted separatists Jose Rizal (8), +Marcelo H. del Pilar (9), Graciano Lopez, Mariano Ponce, Eduardo Lete, +Antonio and Juan Luna (10), Julio Llorente, Salvador V. del Rosario, +Doroteo Cortes (11), Jose Baza, Pedro Serrano (12), Moises Salvador, +Galicano Apacible and many others, who were in communication with +the seditious elements of Manila, strove hard to influence don Miguel +Morayta (13), (Grand master of the Oriente Espanol), in Madrid, and +with whom they sustained close relations, to the end that the statutes +should be reformed so that the native element might be affiliated, +and even more, that lodges of a character exclusively Tagalog (14), +might be created in the Archipelago. Conferences, general gatherings, +and finally compromises of certain magnitude decided in the favor +of the Filipinos, Morayta thus, unconsciously sowing the seed, the +fruit of which we are to-day gathering. + +"D. Alejandro Roji, resident in this capital, Captain of Engineers, was +nominated general delegate to direct the works, and with ample powers +from Morayta, came the native school-teacher Pedro Serrano, who enjoyed +in Manila the confidence and protection of the said Colonel, assisted +by the Flores, lieutenants of Infantry, Numeriano Adriano, Ambrosio +Rianzares, Juan Zulueta, Faustino Villaruel (15), Agustin de la Rosa, +Ambrosio Salvador, Andres Bonifacio (16), Apolinario Mabini (17), +Estanislao Legaspi Domingo Franco (18), Roman Basa, Deodato Arellano, +Antonio Salazar, Felipe Zamora, Nazario Constantino, Bonifacio Arevalo, +Pedro Casimiro, Dionisio Ferraz, Timoteo Paez and a thousand others, +all indians, but having a career or a comfortable social position; +they commenced a silent and tenacious propaganda which resulted in +180 Tagalog lodges, extended throughout the territory of Luzon and +part of the Bisayas, being constituted in 5 years. The character of +the native (19), so propitious to all the mysterious and symbolic, +easily accustomed itself to the ridiculous practices of freemasonry: +the initiations (20), the proofs (21), the oaths (22), attributes, +signs and pass words, and the pseudonyms, all and everything surrounded +by shade and mystery, appealed to the native and served him as an +educative ladder which prepared his mind for his entry into other +associations of graver transcendencies, according as the initiators +and apostles of filibusterism, Rizal, Pilar, Lopez, Cortes and Zulueta +had forseen, as can be proved by that correspondence which has come +to my hands. + +"In order to direct the organization of the lodges dependant upon the +Gran Oriente Espanol, there was constituted by Morayta, a Gran Consejo +Regional (23) which received its instructions from him, and which was +presided over by Ambrosio Flores (h. Muza), and formed of Adriano, +Villaruel, Flores (A), Mabini, Paez, Zamora, Mariano and Salazar. The +newspaper La Solidaridad (24) which, in the previous year had been +founded in Barcelona by M. Pilar, as a delegate of the propaganda of +Manila, and the publishing centre of which was later on translated to +Madrid, was declared the official organ of all Filipino masonry; and +in its collaboration, all the Filipinos of a medium culture resident +in the capital, took a hand, under the auspices and direction of its +new proprietor, the oft-mentioned and ill-starred Morayta. + +"In 1893 the Gran Oriente Nacional, of which the Grand Master +is Sr. Pantoja, reporter of the highest tribunal of justice, +conceded powers to the lieutenant military councillor Sr. Lacasa, +and the sergeant of Infantry, Jose Martin, to carry on propaganda +in these islands among the native element, and in competition with +the other Oriente. The result did not correspond to the efforts of +the propagandists, who only succeeded in creating some few lodges +in the Capital, in Cavite, Cagayan, Iloilo and Negros. How could it +be expected to prosper, when the Gran Oriente Espanol had already +catechized the masses of the country! + +"It must be declared, although it makes one blush to do so, that many +peninsular Spaniards, and among them some holding important official +positions in the country, have contributed to this propaganda, +scandalous, and from all points of view, aimed at the integrity of +the nation (25). Only candor can exculpate them. May the country +pardon them. + +"From the first moments, both in the organ of Filipino freemasonry, +La Solidaridad, and in the circulars which the Gran Oriente sent to +Spain for the information of the brethren there resident, was commenced +a coarse and shameless campaign against the Monastic Orders (26), and +of scoffing and ridicule of religion. Later on, this campaign acquired +a political character, attacking the government of the metropolis, +and the authorities of the archipelago, demanding liberal reforms +for the country, such as representation in the Cortes, the colonial +Camara, municipal autonomy, increase of individual rights etc. etc., +Let anyone with half an eye examine carefully the collections of the +cited paper, and he will certainly meet with something contrary to +the national unity, artfully and modestly hidden. Let him read the +almost countless number of documents (27) pertaining to the Tagalog +lodges, and sent by me to the judge, Senor Olive, which were united +to the charges, and the most incredulous will be convinced that the +lodges and their aids and abettors devoted themselves to something +more than the propaganda of freemasonry. There is not a single one +of the chiefs and organizers of the filibuster organizations up to +this time discovered, who is not a freemason." + + + +"LA PROPAGANDA" AND THE "ASOCIACION HISPANO-FILIPINA." + +At the end of the year 1888, Marcelo del Pilar, a lawyer of Bulacan, +and a frenetic filibuster, considering himself in peril of deportation +in consequence of juridical proceedings formed against him in +the said province, decided to translate his residence to Spain, +under the shelter of a certain element of the country (28). In those +days was created in Manila a committee of propaganda (29) formed by +Doroteo Cortes, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, Pedro Serrano and Deodato +Arellano, under the presidency of the first named, its mission being +the gathering from among the better class and more wealthy element, +funds for the propagation throughout the Archipelago, of all classes +of pamphlets and proclamations written to depreciate and cast slurs +upon the Monastic Orders (30), and upon Religion; and likewise +for the implantation in the country democratic doctrines; finally +the nomination was agreed to of a delegation which should depend +directly upon the committee recently constituted, and which should +have its residence in Barcelona, its duty being to make overtures +to the public authorities for the concession to the Archipelago of +greater liberties and of representation in the Cortes in the first +place. And in order to sustain and defend these ideals together with +some few more, the foundation was authorized of a bi-monthly newspaper. + +"The committee of propaganda fully fulfilled its mission; it overcame +all the wealthy element of Luzon (31), gathered grand quantities, +and Marcelo del Pilar set off for the Peninsular, installing himself +comfortably in the "Ciudad Condal" [2] at the expense of his +countrymen (32). + +"In January 1889, he commenced the campaign in union with his companion +of the delegation Mariano Ponce. They founded the paper La Solidaridad +and constituted the Hispano-Filipino association, into which were +drawn a large number of the native students residing in Barcelona +[3]. The committee made great progress in Manila, added to the number +of its followers and collected funds in return for subscriptions to +La Solidaridad which, day by day, had more readers; it distributed +books, pamphlets and proclamations of the worst class, for which a +good price was collected. + +"The association had increased hand over hand; its aspirations (33) +were most radical; and considering its action limited in Barcelona, +it determined to translate its headquarters to Madrid, where it +would have a wider field for its pretensions. About this same time +Serrano, Rizal, Luna, Lopez etc., were united to the delegation and +they succeeded in implanting Tagalog masonry in their country (34), +and from this precise moment, commenced their relations with Morayta. + +"In January 1890 the "Asociacion Hispano-Filipina," [4] the delegation, +and the paper La Solidaridad were installed in Madrid. Morayta +accepted the presidency of the Association and became proprietor of +the newspaper from which such good results were expected, it counting +with an increased output to supply enforced subscriptions among masons +and their associates at the rate of a peso a head. + +"From that moment Morayta was made the idol of the turbulent indians, +who considered him as their redeemer; no one is ignorant of the +labors undertaken by the said personage in Spain, both in the realms +of journalism and around and about the powers that be, on behalf of +the securing representation in the Cortes, the liberty of association +(35) and that of the press, municipal autonomy and even under a hidden +guise, of that of the colony; in the memory of all is preserved +the remembrance of the banquet given by the Filipinos inspired by +Morayta, to Sr. Labra, the autonomist deputy for Cuba, and no one has +forgotten the proposition presented to the Congress by Sr. Junoy, the +republican deputy, also inspired by the Association and the delegation +presided over and protected by Morayta. And who finally, does not +feel indignation upon calling to mind the articles published in La +Solidaridad by the Filipinos Kalipulako (M. Ponce), Jaena (G. Lopez), +Dimas-Alang (Jose Rizal), Eduardo Lete, Taga-Ilog (Antonio Luna), +Juan Totoo (J. Zulueta) and Kupang or Maitalaga (M. del Pilar)? + +"What Spaniard is not fired to anger, upon reading the books and +pamphlets written by Rizal, Luna and Lopez and the infinite number of +printed libels which circulate here full of falsities and loathsome +calumnies against the most sacred and venerated, the Fatherland? Have +we forgotten, perhaps, Dr. Blumentritt (36) who repaid our most +generous hospitality by making common cause with our enemies? Do +we not call to mind, peradventure, that all the filipino colony in +Spain and a good portion of that here resident, sympathised with that +ungrateful man, conferring upon him the honor of banqueting him and +extending to him their congratulations? + +"Fortunately these labors obtained no practical result in the peninsula +(37), but they caused the native element of some amount of culture +to harbor imaginary ills and want of confidence in the Metropolis, +covert discontent with the authorities of the islands (38), and +finally, sowed the seed of aspirations which could never be realized +[5]. but a seed which is to-day, unfortunately, bearing fruit. + +"A casino of recreation known as the Centro Filipino, was also +organized in Madrid: a revolutionary club was the only thing to +which that center could be compared. There Spain was discussed, +criticized and slandered under the shelter of the law of association +which prevails in the Peninsula, and shielded by the hypocrisy and +deception so proper of cowards. + +"Personal rivalries and the want of morality in the administration of +the funds (39) remitted from Manila by the committee of propaganda, +gave rise to a grave disagreement between the two apostles of filipino +filibusterism, Rizal and Pilar; with the former sided the young +and impetuous element; with the latter the mature and thoughtful +(40). Both elaborated the same material, but each using a different +process; the one boldly insolent and hostile, the other masked with +hypocrisy and calm. Both being ambitious, each found the world too +small to contain him. This state of things ceased with the coming +of Rizal to these islands in 1892 (41), Pilar remaining the absolute +possessor of the field at Madrid. + +"In the meanwhile the committee of propaganda was not inactive. It +created delegations throughout the archipelago, and by their means +introduced the La Solidaridad and all kinds of revolutionary printed +matter into the utmost corners of the archipelago. + + + +THE "LIGA FILIPINA" + +"Rizal, magnanimously pardoned by His Excellency the Captain General +of the Archipelago, D. Eulogio Despujol (42), after the making of a +thousand and one lying protests of repentance, reached this capital in +May 1892, being received by his countrymen with extraordinary proofs +of enthusiasm and rejoicing; and converting himself into an apostle +of filibusterism, commenced a campaign of scandalous propaganda. + +"Three days after his arrival he convoked a large reunion (43) in +the house of the Chinese half-caste Ongjungco in Tondo, and under his +presidentship there gathered Franco, property owner; Flores, Lieutenant +of Infantry; Rianzares, lawyer; Zulueta, government employee; Adriano, +notary; Reyes, tailor; Paez, business agent; Francisco, industrial; +Serrano, school-teacher; A. Salvador, contractor; Salazar, industrial; +Mariano, property owner; Legaspi, industrial; Jose, property owner; +Bonifacio, warehouse porter; Plata, curial; Villareal, tailor; Rosa, +book-keeper; Arellano, military employee; M. Salvador, industrial; +Arevalo, dentist; Rosario, merchant; Santillan, industrial; Ramos, +industrial; Joven, property owner; Villaruel, merchant; Mabini, +lawyer; Nacpil, silversmith; and many other Filipinos well known by +their ideas. To this assembly Rizal made known the motive which had +inspired him to call it together, which was no other than the creation +of a secret society to be known as the "Liga Filipina", founded for +the purpose of fomenting the advancement and culture of the country and +the attaining, later on, of emancipation from Spain (44). He read out a +list of provisional regulations drawn up by himself; these regulations +were unanimously approved; a commission formed of Ambrosio Salvador +and Deodato Arellano as president and secretary respectively, was at +once nominated for the studying and development of Rizal's project, +and the reunion was dissolved till it should be again convoked. + +"The opportune deportation of Rizal (45), Cortes and Salvador, +upset the plans of the "oath bound" conspirators and the panic thus +brought about dispersed them for the moment. In the beginning of the +year 1893 they re-assumed the work (46), sometimes in the house of +Domingo Franco, and at others in that of Deodato Arellano; and after +it had been agreed that they should be ruled by the regulations of +Rizal, and votes having been cast, the Supreme Council of the "Liga" +was constituted in the following form: + + + President Franco. + Secretary & Treasurer Arellano. + Fiscal Francisco. + / Zulueta. + | Legaspi. + | Paez. + | Bonifacio. + Councillors + Nacpil. + | Adriano. + | Mabini. + | Rianzares. + \ Flores. + + +"Before continuing, and in order that the facts which follow +may be better understood, I will give some idea of the "Liga" +according to the mentioned regulations. Its determined ends (47), +were the independence of the islands; its means, the propaganda of +advanced political ideas (48), availing themselves of conferences, +books, pamphlets and the paper "La Solidaridad" which was declared +the official organ of the association; the culture of the country +by means of study, and its material advancement by stimulating the +creation of large enterprises and industries; and, as a final means, +armed rebellion (49). The catechised or initiated submitted themselves +to a solemn oath before a human skull, which they afterwards kissed, +signing with their own blood (50) a compromising document, after +making the corresponding incision in one of their arms. + +"All those initiated incurred the duty of making propaganda (51) by all +means in their power, and of increasing the number of the associates, +of preserving under severest penalties, the most impenetrable silence +on all matters relating to the "Liga" and blind obedience to their +superiors. The association was governed by a Supreme Council with +residence in Manila, and composed of a President, a Treasurer, a +Fiscal, a Secretary and twelve Councillors; for the Peninsular and +Hong-Kong, the delegations composed of Marcelo del Pilar and Ildefonso +Laurel [6]. + +"In each province was formed a provincial council with the same +organizations as the Supreme Council, but with only six councillors, +who, in their turn, had under their orders as many popular councils as +there should be pueblos in the province in which the council should +be constituted. The popular councils with analogous organization to +the provincial councils, had jurisdiction within the demarcation of a +pueblo; they depended directly upon the respective provincial council +and the provincial upon the Supreme. + +"All the members of the Supreme Council were to constitute in the +capital of Manila a popular council formed of their converts within +the zone of their residences; and all the members had to recruit among +the natives of some culture, till the society should be thoroughly +developed. + +"Each treasurer collected a peso as entrance fee from the initiated and +a medio (half) peso, as a monthly subscription for each member. With +the said funds there was created a central deposit in the treasury +of the Supreme Council, for the covering of the expenses of the +delegations, and the sustainment of the Solidaridad; and it was agreed +that once there should be sufficient capital, great enterprises, +of a nature undetermined, should be undertaken. + +"The eternal question of money in this class of organizations +(52) gave rise to a serious falling out between Rizal and the Liga +(53), on which account their official relations were severed. The +subscriptions were badly collected, and those encharged with the +custody and turning in of what few funds did exist misapplied them +(54); this was what brought about the decadence of the league and +the cause of its falling into discredit and disrepute and for its +not prospering, in spite of the fact that among those who aided +it with their moral and metalic aid, but without formal or written +compromise (55), were a number of shameless filibusters, so much the +more repugnant as the brilliant social position they held under the +protection of Spain was elevated. Among many others may be cited the +wealthy proprietors Pedro and Francisco Roxas (56), Mariano Linjap, +Telesforo Chuidian, Luis R. Yangco, Antonio and Juan Luna, Felipe +Zamora, Eduardo Litonjua, Marcelino de los Santos, Maximo Paterno +(57) and Nazario Constantino (58). + +"Of the members of the Supreme Council, only the following succeeded +in forming popular councils: Estanislao Legaspi who organized one +in Tondo, known as Talang Bakero; Andres Bonifacio, one in Trozo, +known as Mayon; and Francisco Nacpil, one in Santa Cruz, known as +Mactan (59). The rest of the members of the Supreme Council only +succeeded in forming the following fruitless sections: Flores, one +in Ermita and Malate; Zulueta in Binondo; Rianzares in San Nicolas; +Francisco in Quiapo; Adriano and Mabini in Sampaloc and Nagtajan, +and Salvador in Pandacan. + +"In the provinces also the Liga enjoyed such slow progress, that it was +not possible to organize to popular councils, but sections only, and +these were organized in the Laguna, by Vicente Reyes; in Batangas by +Felipe Agoncillo (60); in Nueva Ecija, Bentus and Natividad; in Tarlac +the notary del Rosario, and in Bulacan, Pampanga and other provinces +wealthy persons of the same. In time, there was not a Filipino of +wealth or career or of medium social position, who did not pertain to, +or aid and abet the Liga, apart from a few most honorable exceptions +(61) which it pleases me to recognize. + +"At the commencement of the year 1894 and when the league had reached +the age of one year, the members agreed to the dissolution of the +society, both on account of the discords which continually sprung up in +its bosom, and for the fear of discovery by the authorities which had +already perceived something of the goings on (62). A grand assembly +of the leaders was called together and it was determined to gather +in as many documents as had been drawn up or circulated, and make a +bonfire of them, so that all compromising indications should be made +to disappear. The society became dissolved but it took a form more +hypocritical. The popular councils re-entered the masonic lodges, and +these took up the work of the Liga, a thing very easy to accomplish, +when we remember that there was not a single member of the society +who was not a freemason. + +"There remained however, as a living remembrance of the Liga, a +committee formed of the lawyer Numeriano Adriano and Deodato Arellano +(a brother-in-law of Pilar) president and secretary, who had at their +orders some 20 or 30 members from among the most important of the +defunct Liga and who were known under the name of the compromisarios +(63). These enjoyed no special organization and worked with almost +entire independence. Their mission was the propagation of the La +Solidaridad and the gathering of funds for the sustainment of the +paper, and of the delegations in the Peninsula and elsewhere, with +which they sustained active political correspondence. The work was +continued with greater cunning by the lodges and by the compromisarios; +and they succeeded in keeping alive the spirit of protest in a good +part (the most influential) of the native element till the end of +the year 1895. + +"About this time the populous empire of China was defeated by the +Japanese, and the Japanese Empire, having won the laurels of victory so +easily, began to consider the weaving of a net of preponderance in the +Occident. The Filipinos who followed with interest and satisfaction +our contrarieties in Cuba, considered the occasion propitious for +the Empire of the Rising Sun to copy in these islands the conduct +of the Americans in the Antilles. Japan became the fashion in the +Archipelago and its inhabitants were chosen as models of culture (64), +wealth, of liberty and strength. They sighed for their protection and +assistance, and to the attaining of it they uselessly directed their +efforts. Doroteo Cortes emigrated to Yokohama (65), and with him Ramos, +Baza, Espanol and others, where they established a separatist committee +in correspondence with that of Manila. Marcelo del Pilar prepared to +leave Madrid to join them, but died suddenly in Barcelona and finally +the foolish political schemers dreamed of the liberation of Rizal +(66) who had been deported to Dapitan, in order that he also should +follow Cortes and the others. From Manila there departed frequently +parties of wealthy Filipinos who went to Japan under the pretext of +making recreative, instructive or artistic voyages, but in reality +to conspire, and it is assured that they were listened to by some of +the official element of that nation (67). The Japanese corvette Kongo +(68) arrived in Manila in the month of May and no one could explain +its sudden appearance in the bay; but on the other hand the officers +were mysteriously banqueted by a commission of Filipinos in the Bazar +Japones (69) where they lodged. Causalities perhaps, but.... + + + + + + + + K. K. K. N. M. A. N. B. + + KATAASTAASANG KALAGAYAN KATIPUNAN NANG MANGA ANAK NANG BAYAN. + + Supreme Society of the Sons of the People [7]. + + +Whilst Rizal, in Manila, was engaged in the organization of the +"Liga Filipina" into which only the well-to-do or educated classes +could enter (70), an attempt which, for that time, failed on account +of his immediate deportation, Marcelo H. del Pilar, from Madrid, +in July 1892, advised the creation of another association, which +was to be similar thereto, but which was to include the agricultural +laborers and persons of little or no education and instruction (71), +but who directed in the localities by the caciques and chiefs, were +to form an enormous nucleus which should, at the proper time, give +forth the cry of rebellion. He (Pilar) provided minute instructions +concerning the organization and forwarded a project of regulations. + +"Deodato Arellano (brother in-law of Marcelo), Andres Bonifacio, +Ladislao Dina and Teodoro Plata where those commissioned to carry into +practice the project of Pilar (72); they discussed the regulations and +added to them making them still more terrifying, agreeing that they +should all immediately proceed with the preparatory works, and they +were not interrupted till the conspiracy was discovered on the 19th of +August of this year (1896). Both the said organizers and the others who +composed the first Supreme Council, belonged to the "Liga filipina". + +"The organization given to the society was analogous to that enjoyed by +the "Liga" (73) but amplified to the extent of anarchism, swearing +hatred and destruction to everything of a character or nature Spanish +(74), and sowing the seed of a race-hatred which has developed to +a great extent (75). The Supreme, the Provincial and the popular +Councils, the sections and the delegations ruled this horrible +association. The first governed the whole Tagalog Katipunan (76); +the second, that corresponding to a pueblo and the sections were +sub-divisions or fractions into which the popular councils were +divided. Those commissioned to form sections were called delegations, +and whilst they remained unconstituted, they depended directly upon +the Supreme Council. Every associate paid an entrance fee of a medio +peso, and a monthly subscription of a real. The collections were made +by the respective treasurers and passed into the central treasury +of the Supreme Council. The funds so gathered were utilized for the +succor of the brethren in their afflictions and sicknesses, for the +covering the expenses of the works of propaganda, and for the secret +acquisition of fire and other arms (77). + +"As in freemasonry, the initiations (78) were performed with a wealth +of the ridiculous, and with unending extravagances; but of such a +nature, that the ignorant indian was fascinated and became converted +into a slave of his oath. + +"The initiated were masked (79) as also was the person to be initiated; +before a table was placed a skull and crossbones, a triangle and two +candles; the person about to be initiated was told that the object of +the Katipunan [8] was the liberating of the Tagalog people, and the +expulsion of the Spaniards from the archipelago, or their destruction +(80); following this, came a series of questions and replies in the +which the martyrdom of Gomez, Burgos and Zamora (81), native priests +judged and condemned for their part in the rebellion of Cavite in 1872 +was exalted, and they passed on to the proofs (82) which consisted in +imitating an assassination, a suicide, etc. This was followed by the +taking of an oath of striving to effect the liberation of the people +till death, an oath which demanded a blind obedience to the commands +of the superior and the preservation of the secrets of the association +under the pain of death (83). Finally, to terminate the ceremony, +they made with a dagger especially adapted to that use, an incision +in the arm of the person initiated and with the blood which flowed +from the wound thus made, the new katipunero signed his compromise +(see note 50.) + +"The initiated were called brethren and had their "sacred words" +and their special signs of recognition. They were ruled by a code +which established punishments ranging from whipping till death (84) +and received no orders from anyone, or had no intercourse with anyone, +except with their immediate superiors. The details which might be +made mention of are infinite and curious, but it would make this +short memorial unending to speak of them all. + +"All the matters of importance and organization were dealt with +in assemblies (85) constituted by the Supreme Councils and all the +presidents of the provincial and popular councils. The accords were +taken and discussions decided by a nominal votation and at least by +a majority of votes. + +"Both the Supreme, the provincial and the popular Councils and the +sections held their periodical sessions in the which were discussed a +thousand different affairs, and the decisions of the Councils had to +be submitted to the approval of the immediate superior. The gatherings +were always held in different houses and localities, no day being set +aside as fixed, but the days of festivities or those upon which was +observed some ecclesiastical feast were chosen for that purpose (86), +under the pretext of banquets or dances in which the authorities had no +suspicion, and because on the said days these semi-public rejoicings +were permitted without the necessity of seeking the license of the +governing authorities. + +"Both the provincial and the popular councils and the sections were +known by special names; the initiated were "baptized" with symbolic +appellations; and the documents were drawn up in the Tagalog dialect, +the most important being in secret code. + +"The first Supreme Council was constituted on the 15th of July 1892, +and was as follows: + + + President Deodato Arellano. + Secretary Andres Bonifacio. + Treasurer Valentin Diaz. + / Ladislao Dina. + Councillors + Bricio Pantas. + \ Teodoro Plata. + + +Delegates were immediately appointed to establish sections in Tondo, +Binondo, Trozo, Sta. Cruz, Nagtajan, Sampaloc, Quiapo, Dilao (Paco) +and Intramuros. Commissioners set out with all rapidity to the +neighboring pueblos and provinces, and in a few weeks councils +were in working order in Caloocan, Malabon, Mandaloyan, San Juan +del Monte, Pandacan, Sta. Ana, and Pasay. In the Capital of Cavite +was constituted a popular council, and sections in Noveleta, Cavite +Viejo and Imus. The same occurred in San Isidro, Gapan and several +other pueblos of these provinces. + +'Andres Bonifacio, Secretary of the Supreme Council, displayed a +notable audacity and energy, and this united to a clear intelligence, +gave him a great predominance over his companions. This predominance +he asserted, and in 1893 brought about the destitution from the +presidency, of Deodato Arellano, Roman Baza (87), chief clerk of +the Comandancia General de Marina being elevated to that office. On +account of the want of character and initiative on the part of the new +president, Bonifacio decided, by a coup-d'etat if we may so call it, +to depose him also, putting himself in that office and becoming the +"dictator" of the Katipunan. + +"Under the Presidency of Bonifacio, the society commenced an era of +febrile activity; the greater number of the tribunales of the pueblos +were converted into centres of propaganda, which were directed by the +municipalities. Pamphlets and proclamations against the friars and +the whole Spanish element were circulated in profusion (88). Injuries +and outrages were invented, and by these and a thousand and one other +infamous means, little by little, hatred and revenge were inculcated +into the mind of the indian. + +"In 1895 Bonifacio took the first decisive steps towards the +organizing of an armed rebellion; he sent different delegations to +Dapitan to confer with Rizal and receive his advice and instruction +(89); he opened negotiations with the Japanese Government (90), +but did not succeed therein. But with his immense ascendancy over +the popular masses, an ascendancy beyond imagination, he declared +himself dictator. The secret aiders of the Katipunan who pertained +to the upper classes, offered funds of considerable amount, with the +which were acquired a good number of arms which were landed on the +coast of Cavite and Batangas with the aid of wealthy persons (91). + +"In August of this year (1896) exaltation among the masses reached +its full height, and Bonifacio realizing the fact, prepared what +was necessary in order that in a short time, the conspiracy which +was to take effect on the same day and hour in almost all Luzon, +should be in readiness. The plan of the attack and taking of Manila +was coarsely conceived but it might have been successful and massacre, +sacking and pillage would have crowned the iniquitous work. + +"At this time the Supreme Council was was composed as follows. + + + President Andres Bonifacio. + Secretary Emilio Jacinto. + Treasurer Enrique Pacheco. + Fiscal Pio Valenzuela (92). + / Hermenegildo Reyes. + | Teodoro Plata. + | Balbino Florentino. + | Bricio Pantas. + | Pantaleon Torres. + Councillors + Jose Trinidad. + | Francisco Carreon. + | Aguedo del Rosario. + | Vicente Molina. + | Alejandro Santiago. + \ Jose T. Santiago. + + +"In Tondo existed the popular Council Catagalugan presided over by +Alejandro Santiago; and the sections Cabuhayan, Catotohanan, Pagtibain, +Calingaan and Bagongsilang, presided over by Hilarion Cruz, Braulio +Rivera, Cipriano Pacheco, Nicolas Rivera, and Deogracias Fajardo. + +"In Sta. Cruz the popular Council Laonlaan presided over by Julian +Nepomuceno, and the sections Tanglao and Dimas Alang [9] by Procopio +Bonifacio and Restituto Javier. + +"In Trozo the popular Council Dapitan [10] presided over by Francisco +Carreon, and the sections Silanganan and Alapaap, by Juan de la Cruz +and R. Concha. + +"In Binondo the popular Council Ilog Pasig by Faustino Manalac. + +"In Concepcion and Dilao (Paco) the popular Council Mahiganti, +presided over by Rafael Gutierrez, and the sections Panday and Ilog +with a delegation in Ermita. + +"But why continue? It would not be exaggerating to assert that the +fourth of the native population pertained to the Katipunan, and the +task of consigning more names would be useless, as nothing new would +be discovered. + +"Astounding is the number of the initiated; in Manila and its province +alone they exceed 14,000, and in the provinces of Cavite, Batangas, +Laguna and Nueva Ecija there are no less than 20,000. Adding to +this number those of the remainder of Luzon, the total will ascend +to an enormous mass of "illusioned" who bowed in obedience to an +inquisitous schemer. It must be recognized, however, that Bonifacio +is not a common man; of active character, energetic and bold, gifted +with a facility of expression in his language which suggested itself +to his countrymen; of a criterion clear but badly cultivated by the +reading of books of an elevated style and a pernicious character [11] +and possessed of an unfathomable ambition--such was the warehouse +porter who had charge of the store house of the foreign commercial +house of Fressel and Co. in Calle Nueva, Binondo [12]. + +"His proclamations, pamphlets, and circulars although not a model of +literature were possessed of a certain amount of culture. + +"In Calle Clavel, in the dwelling house of Alejandro Santiago, the +Katipunan possessed a secret printing establishment, in which were +prepared many most injurious and insulting publications. There also was +edited and published the paper Kalayaan (Liberty) (93) which only twice +saw the light and which was supposed to have been printed in Yokohama, +(it bearing the name of that town as the place of publication) and +was published over the signature of Marcelo H. del Pilar. This was +all false, all studied out for the purpose of throwing dust in the +eyes of the local authorities. The paper was edited by Bonifacio, his +brother-in-law Teodoro Plata and the secretary of the Supreme Council, +Emilio Jacinto, a young student of law, of no scanty intelligence. + +"On the 19th of August last (1896) the conspiracy was denounced and +a great number of imprisonments were made by this Corps. Bonifacio +and those more closely connected with him in his schemes, fled aghast +to the neighboring pueblo of Caloocan and there remained hidden in +the house of the Capitan Municipal (a native) and in that of the +Capitan Pasado (also a native) Adriano de J, father-in-law to Andres +Bonifacio. On the 23rd Bonifacio set out for the barrio of Balintauac, +followed by some 200 inhabitants of Caloocan; on the 24th they were +combatted by the Civil Guard in the fields of the said pueblo and +fled to their former hiding place. + +"The Supreme Council convoked a large assembly to be held on the +following day in the said barrio, to which gathered more than 500 +members; there a discussion took place concerning the steps which +would have to be taken in view of the failure of the conspiracy, and +of the imprisonments which were being made. Some, feeling repentant, +desired to return to a legal status, submitting to the Spanish +authority but the president Bonifacio protested, proposing immediate +rebellion. Both propositions were put to the vote, and as a result, +that of the president gained by an immense majority; so much for the +prestige of Andres Bonifacio! (94). + +"The orders were circulated with rapidity throughout Manila, Cavite, +Nueva Ecija and other provinces, commanding that armed rebellion +should commence at day-break of Sunday the 30th. The day and hour +assigned finally arrived, and the whole province of Manila broke out; +the rebels committing a thousand and one abuses and crimes upon as many +Europeans and loyal natives as were encountered. Like wild beasts they +attacked the waterworks and the powder station situated at San Juan +del Monte from whence they were valiantly driven back by a section +of artillery and another of the 70th regiment. Simultaneously they +attempted to invade the suburb of Sampaloc by way of Santa Mesa and +there also they were combatted and dispersed by 60 Veteran Guards +who prevented, by their defence, a day of mourning for the city of +Manila. All Cavite, except the capital, arose in insurrection on +the afternoon of the 31st., assassinating and disarming the whole +of the Civil Guard of the province, after an heroic defence on the +part of the latter. They assaulted the convents and estates of the +Religious Orders and murdered the defenseless ministers of the Lord +(95). On the 3rd of September the capital of Nueva Ecija was attacked +by large masses of rebels, and the colony [13] and the Civil Guard +heroically resisted until the arrival, from Manila, of a column which +combatted the enemy and saved that handful of Spaniards from a certain +death. But why continue to relate events so well known to all [14]. + + + +DENOUNCEMENT OF THE CONSPIRACY AND ITS DISCOVERER. + +"Teodoro Patino. A name which all Spaniards should pronounce with +pleasure, because, by his repentance, inspired by divine Providence +(96), Spain was saved from an unending series of bitter experiences. + +"Patino, a workman in the printing establishment of the Diario de +Manila, pertained to the Katipunan of Tondo, as did also the majority +of the compositors and book binders of the said establishment. + +"Repentant and fearful of the increase of the association, and of +the criminal projects it pursued, he decided to denounce it to +his sister, a student of the College of Looban, directed by the +learned and virtuous Sisters of Mercy (97). His sister made known +the denunciation to her Superior who called Patino into her presence; +and realizing the gravity which surrounded the matter, sent him to the +Rev. P. Mariano Gil, parish priest of Tondo (98), a suburb of Manila; +to this Rev. Father, Patino repeated all that he had manifested, and +all that he could know, he being only a simple initiated member. He +affirmed that in the printing establishment of the Diario receipts +and proclamations were printed, and daggers were secretly made for +the Katipunan, and he offered, moreover, to make known where the +lithographic stones used for the printing were hidden. + +"Srs. Grund and Cortes, lieutenants of the sub-division of the Veterana +of that district, were called to the convent by P. Gil, who expounded +to them all that had occurred. These officers made known the facts to +their chiefs, and constituted themselves into a "cuartelillo". That +same night there fell into the power of P. Gil the lithographic stones, +some receipts and printed regulations of the Katipunan: objects which +were placed at the disposition of this Corps. In the "cuartelillo" +Patino was minutely examined, and immediate proceedings were commenced +for the arrest of 22 oath bound katipuneros, whose houses were also +searched. In this search an abundance of documents and effects which +justified the denunciation were encountered. From that time no stone +was left unturned by the officers and guards of this Corps, who for +15 days worked unceasingly and untiringly that their labor might be +crowned with the greatest success. + +"More than 500 prisoners of importance, among those who were convicted +and among those who confessed, were handed over to the Courts of +Justice together with all the documents, books, pamphlets, seals, +attributes and the archives of the Supreme Council. The back of the +vast conspiracy was broken; some of the guilty have already expiated +their crimes (99), many have suffered deportation, (100) whilst no +few still remain in prison awaiting the decision of human justice. + +"If with our aid we have contributed to the salvation of this portion +of Spanish territory, what better recompense and reward for this +Section of the Guardia Civil Veterana? + +"Manila, 28th October 1896--Olegario Diaz--Signed--The document bears +a seal which reads: Seccion de Guardia Civil Veterana.--Manila. + + + +Here ends the document which forms the text. In continuation follow +the notes with their corresponding numbers. + + + + + + + + NOTES. + + These notes are, as regards historical + matter, chiefly taken from Spanish + official documents drawn up as a + result of juridical procee- + dings against certain + individuals accused + of treason. + + +Note 2. In that period of time in which the evil effects of freemasonry +began to tell upon the public and private life of the government +officials and upon the morals of the people in general, the Civil +Governor of Manila, D. Justo Martin Lunas (1886), gave a ball to +which the cream of Manila society was invited. Among the selections +for the evening was an extravagant item, nothing more or less than +... a can-can! This in itself was enough; but what made the matter +so much the worse was that the governor had invited the venerable +Archbishop of Manila to the ball. The news of the innovation spread +far and wide, and very soon the whole city was in a state of wild +excitement. In the defense of public morals the Archbishop deemed it +necessary to issue a pastoral letter condemning such spectacles. + +Although not directed at that particular "school of scandal", this +pastoral was interpreted by all those concerned, as well as by the +public in general, as a severe lesson for Sr. Lunas and those who +had gathered in the government house to dance the can-can or to take +pleasure therein. Hence Sr. Luna and his party considered themselves +offended, and did not hesitate to take revenge when an opportunity +occurred, upon the aged and infirm Archbishop who did all he had done, +in defense of the morals of his flock. + +From this event sprung the seed which gave rise, later on, to the +famous, or rather infamous manifestation of '88: an insensate campaign +inspired against the Religious Orders by these offended ones and +their followers (See note 30). + +The Civil Governor at that time was D. Jose Centeno y Garcia an active +propagator of freemasonry, holding the 33rd degree. He, together +with Sr. Quiroja, fostered and godfathered the "manifestation". In +this semi-official insult to Archbishop Payo, an insult so ably +analysed by Sr. Retana [15], we have one of the best examples that +could be furnished of the methods adopted by the masonic enemies of +the Catholic faith in this archipelago. This manifestation, fostered +by a governor who drew down upon himself the righteous ire of all +honorable men and women by reason of his protection of the houses +of ill-fame in and about the city, was a truly masonic invention by +which many, in fact some 98% of those who signed it, were grossly +deceived. The following notes taken from the analysis of Sr. Retana, +will give an idea of the real value of the "manifestation" and the +part the people had therein. In the Suburb of Sta. Cruz there were +144 people who signed the document, that is to say there were 144 +names. Of these no less than 56 were unknown, 3 were minors and 3 did +not recognize their signatures; 52 were natives and 8 were Chinese +half-castes. In Sampaloc: 61 signatures, all of which were of indians +none of whom followed trades or professions which necessitated the +use of brain power. In Malate: 38 signatures, 31 of indians, only 15 +of whom understood Spanish. In Binondo: 41, 31 of whom were indians; +five minors. In Sta. Ana, out of 104, the number of minors was 14, +and 50 did not understand Spanish; 66 were indians. In Caloocan: 80 +signatures of which 55 were indians who did not understand Spanish; 38 +were laborers, 7 were minors. In Navotas: 140 signatures; 49 laborers, +and 49 fishermen; 127 did not understand Spanish. In Mariquina: +68, 38 of whom were laborers, 51 did not understand Spanish. In San +Fernando de Dilao (Paco): 35; 6 minors and all indians. In San Mateo, +50 signatures; 39 laborers, 45 indians, 41 of whom did not understand +Spanish. In San Miguel 49; and here comes the crowning piece of the +magnificent work, for of these 49 no fewer than 16 had died! yes died +previous to the drawing up of the document and therefore could not +possibly have signed it; moreover 7 did not recognize their signatures, +and all were indians. + +In recapitulation; there were 810 signatures; of these 85 did not +declare on examination, 56 were unknown, 39 were minors, 22 did not +recognize their signatures and 16 had died previous to the drawing +up of the document (Feb. 20th 1888). This brings the 810 down to +592. Of these 592 signatures 208 were of laborers, 50 of fishermen, +31 of carpenters, 7 washermen and 5 barbers: a total of 301 persons +whose occupations called for no particular amount of education, and +whose interest and concern in such a movement as this may be judged +from their social standing. Deducting these 301 from the remaining 592 +we have 291 left for further analysis. Of these 25 were of tailors, +4 singers (!) and 3 school masters; 58 escribientes whose occupation +it is to make clean copies of documents and other manuscript, the most +that can be said of the majority of them being that they can write +well, not an uncommon thing anyhow for a filipino; 11 of musicians, +men who lead the life of crickets, enjoying hunger by day and noise +by night; 9 type-setters, men who after having set a dozen columns +of material could not tell you anything of the subject they were +composing, in other words, men who like the escribientes reproduce +mechanically without knowing what they are reproducing; this gives us +107 of another grade leaving 184 to be divided among the many odds +and ends of occupations followed by the native to earn his "fish +and rice". No less than 384 of the number did not understand Spanish +and 13 could not write. In the matter of races: ONE was a Spaniard, +Enrique Rodriguez de los Palacios who called himself a merchant and +was domiciled in Binondo. Upon investigation it turned out that he +also had been fooled and that he had signed the protest because he had +been told that other Spaniards had also signed it; as to its contents +he affirmed that he knew nothing. One was a Spanish mestizo, 66 were +Chinese half-castes and 524 were indians. So much for the famous +manifestation which resulted in giving a most decisive blow to the +moral and social standing of those who prepared and those who signed +it. Those concerned therein learned the bitter lesson that "they who +dig pits for their neighbors are apt to fall therein themselves." + +The common opinion has always been that the document in question +was drawn up by Doroteo Cortes (see note 11) who had on several +occasions been under police vigilance; had been expelled from Navotas +and compelled to reside within the walled city, later on pardoned, +but still kept under police surveillance. But however that may be, +the document was infamous in the extreme, and was the precursor of +the modern campaign against the Religious Orders. From that time to +this present, this campaign has continued to spread, and is still +being fostered by the Federal Party. + +Another of the advanced ideas which saw the light of day during +the interim governorship of D. Jose Centeno y Garcia, a 33rd +degree freemason and a stout republican, was the toleration, for +the first time in the history of the Archipelago, of houses of +prostitution. Centeno was a governor who, having erred considerably +during his governorship, attempted some years later to regain public +confidence by the publication of an insulting pamphlet against the +Religious Orders. This novelty of semi-official houses of ill-fame was, +for Manila, a most genuine expression of modern democracy. Scandals +until then unheard of or undreamed of in Manila, became the order +of the day. White girls imported or inveigled, were hired out by +their mistresses to pander to the sensual appetites of blacks, merely +because the said black-skinned sensualists were wealthy enough to pay +the price demanded. What edification! Fundicion street became a centre +in which the scandals daily increased in number and importance. The +native weaned after many long years of careful training at the hands of +the Religious Orders, from the vices in which he was found submerged +at the time of the Spanish Conquest, was brought face to face with +the same scandalous surroundings, introduced by people of the same +white race which had removed his forefathers therefrom. Gradually but +surely this leaven of corruption has eaten its way into the customs +of the people, and to-day we are witnesses of its terrible effects. A +comparison of the public morals of to-day with those of 20 years or +so ago, would reveal facts which would astound many of those who are +at a loss to account for the reason of the existence of the "querida" +evil among so many of the Filipinos of modern Manila. A quarter of +a century ago Manila was a paradise to what it is to-day, crimes so +common in these days that they are scarcely worth recording, were +unheard of; and even drunkenness was almost entirely confined to +foreign sailors. What Manila is to-day it owes to the advanced and +anti religious ideas introduced by freemasonry and modern democracy. + + + +Note 3. Separatism, vulgarly called filibusterism, has always, +in the Philippines, been marked by essential characteristics. It +was always, under the circumstances by which it was surrounded, +necessarily anti-patriotic. One thing which helped to give it the +robust life it enjoyed among the middle class of people, was the +supposition of the existence of a Tagalog civilization anterior +to the discovery of the archipelago by the famous Magallanes. This +fantastic doctrine was preached and propagated principally by two +of the more prominent Filipinos, Pedro Paterno and Jose Rizal. The +former, much less cultured than Rizal, was the one to whom the most +insensate ideas on this subject were owing, and this because although +Rizal upheld the idea, he was led to do so by his perverse character +rather than by his belief; whilst Paterno really believes in this +pre-Spanish civilization, and that to such a degree that many of his +own country-men call him a fool and ridicule him. Another essential +mark was the enmity demonstrated against the Religious Orders. But few, +if any at all of the propagators of the doctrines of separatism labored +outside of the four walls of the masonic lodge room. In other words +they were freemasons. Masonry was to them a medium through which they +might carry on their conspiracies; it was an excuse for the creation +of the spirit of association, till then unknown in the Philippines. + +The aims of separatism may be classed as direct and indirect. The +indirect aim was the independence of the country from the yoke of +Spain. At the best this idea of independence was but second hand, +a lesson learned by heart by a scholar whose power of thought was +insufficient to enable him to grasp the true meaning of the words of +the lesson. The average Filipino lacks the sentiment of nationality; +hence in the minds of the majority of the people independence is +but the enjoyment of the unbridled liberty to do as they please, +in fact to revert to the times of their ancestors when everyone who +could exert an authority was a king, a prince or a ruler of some +description. To the Filipino it is of little importance whether his +sovereign or his supreme ruler be the King of Spain or the President +of the U. S. of America, as long as he is protected from his "friends" +and from his own country-men and may enjoy his cock-fighting and have +the necessary supply of rice and fish for his daily sustenance. + +The direct aims of the separatists were those they sought in public, +viz: representation in the Spanish Cortes, the expulsion of the +Religious Orders, etc., etc. The result of representation in the Cortes +would have been a veritable comedy; that of the expulsion of the Friars +a decided tragedy for Spain, in as much as the Religious was ever the +backbone of the administration of the colony. The consequences of the +independence of the country would have been equally disastrous. There +would have been the tremendous preponderance of the black over the +white and eventually inter-tribal disputes and even armed struggles +for the mastery. This would entail the complete stagnation of the +moral and material progress of the people, who would gradually but +surely drift back into the savage ways of their ancestors. And at +last, who knows but that Japan or perhaps China would have to step +in to save the inhabitants from becoming cannibals. + +This doctrine of separatism was the doctrine disseminated by Filipino +masonry, a daughter of Spanish freemasonry. Filipino freemasonry +however, was to a great extent addicted to views not held or sustained +by the Gr. Or. Espanol, and hence did not make common cause with +Universal Freemasonry, although it used its ritual, its signs and +its name, to shield from public view those of its labors which could +not be allowed to see the light of day. Hence the diving into the +subject of Universal Freemasonry is somewhat irrelevant to our present +study, suffice it to say that the brotherhood, universal as it is, +suffers no other division than that into families. Its aim is one; +its methods one; its doctrine one [16]; it is the worldly imitation +of the unparalleled Catholic unity of divine foundation. + +The Spanish family was founded in 1811 by the Count de +Grasse-Tilley. On the 21st of February 1804 the Supreme Council +of Charleston issued a circular to the Count in which it said +among other things which demonstrate the aim of the foundation: +"Above the idea of country is the idea of humanity"; "frontiers are +capricious demarcations imposed by the use of force." And others of +the same nature. + +When the Count set forth to found the Spanish Supreme Council he was +armed with a letters patent issued by the Supreme Council of Charleston +containing this sentence: "the masonic solidity will never be effective +whilst the brethren do not recognize one only power, as is one only +the earth we inhabit, and one also the horizon we contemplate.... To +unify, therefore, the masonic labors we all journey to the one end to +which the work of this Supreme Council is directed, and hence what +we have pointed out to Spain as one of the points in which is more +necessary than elsewhere the one direction to which we refer." + +In 1882 Spanish freemasons were divided into different Orientes each +of which claimed continuity with the institution of Grasse-Tilley; +the matter was finally settled by the Supreme Council of Charleston. + +Opinion is divided on the question of the responsibility of the +Spanish freemason lodges or rather the ruling "Oriente" for the +beliefs and practices of their filipino brethren. That they were +indirectly responsible is more than certain; and oft-times they were +so indirectly. D. Manuel Sastron ex-Deputy to the Spanish Cortes, +ex-Civil Governor of the Philippines, speaking on this subject says: +"It is not possible for us on any account to fall in line with these +suspicious reasonings: never have we had a disposition to form a part +of such a sect, because we are old time Christians; but we repeat that +we cannot believe nor do we imagine that any masonic centre composed of +peninsular Spaniards could tolerate, and much less foment consciously, +the propagation of doctrines which, whatever masonry brought about +in the Philippines, could have given origin to the congregation of +separatist elements." + +"Nevertheless side by side with this firm conviction we repeat +what we tersely maintained, viz: that freemasonry has been the +medium which marshalled the element which generalled the Filipino +insurrection. Filibusterism knew how to exploit it to a fine point." + + + +"We do not find it inconvenient to affirm, but just the opposite, we +repeat with pleasure and absolute belief that Spanish freemasonry was +ignorant of the true ends of the Filipino masons. But it is proved to +our way of thinking, to the point of evidence, that Filipino masonry +pursued no other ends than the independence of those islands (the +Philippines.)" [17] + +It must be noted that this is the opinion of a Spanish patriot, for +a patriot Sastron certainly was, and what is more natural than that +a true patriot should doubt the possibility of his own countrymen +mixing themselves up in anti-patriotic movements: Yet while Sastron +and other writers would redeem their fellow countrymen from such a +stain as that of treason, I am inclined to believe that the asserted +ignorance of the Spanish freemason was too often official, that is +to say it was not genuine, but limited to the members of the society +who enjoyed the privileges of the lower degrees. + +There are two sides to every question, however, and that the "other +side" may be given a fair hearing, I will quote a declaration of +Antonio Luna on this subject. Luna, among the many statements made +before the Lieut. Col. in command of the Cuartel de Caballeria, on the +8th of October 1896, confessed that "in the year 1890 or 91, of his +own free-will, he formed a masonic project based on Spanish masonry: +a project which might, at its proper time be applied to filibuster +conspiracy. This project was discussed and approved by the Oriente +Espanol in Madrid; but that center did not know the secondary ends +to which it would be applied.... Of his own free-will he manifested +that his ideas were, when he formed the project, anti-Spanish...." + +With rare exceptions the Filipinos who left their native soil to +finish their education in the Spanish peninsula, were those to whom +the real work of separatism is owing. The Filipino at home who has +fallen into line with his foreign educated brother is but a blind +worker. And the Filipino who went to Spain was as a rule, a very +general rule, taken under the sheltering care of Miguel Morayta (see +note 13). The responsibility therefore for the ideas inculcated into +the minds of those "students" lies, and that heavily, upon Morayta, +the chief of that family of freemasonry which claims ignorance of the +aims of its filipino membership. The only logical excuse that can be +brought forwards is that filipino freemasonry degenerated. When once it +took root in the Archipelago it spread with wonderful rapidity. The +adepts were for the most part Chinese half-castes; and little by +little that strange train of thought of the native, whether he be +full blooded or mixed, a train of thought which, like the filipino +pony is accustomed to walk backwards when it should go forwards, +or like the patient carabao which too often lies down just at the +moment when its services are the most needed to drag a load over a +mud hole, carried the would-be citizens of an independent country to +the verge of political insanity. Certain it is that as the idea of +separation became more and more developed the Spanish masons who were +member of the Filipino lodges severed their connection therewith. But +yet it does not appear within the limits of common sense to believe +that the Spanish masons were ignorant; the greater probability is +that they were too indulgent, too confiding. To hold too fast to the +excuse of ignorance is to profess oneself very ignorant. But whether +it was ignorance or the wanting of even that species of patriotism +which one expects to find in beasts of burden (for every horse knows +his own stables) the black fact still remains that Spanish masonry +gave birth to, and fostered, Filipino freemasonry or in other words, +the katipunan. + +However, be the degree of ignorance what it may, we cannot overlook +the fact that the actions of the Tagalog freemasons, the katipunan +if you will, for the one and the other are the same thing under +different names, were the cause of no little surprise to the Grand +Oriente Espanol. The filipino mason was a traitor to the mother which +gave him being and nourished him into activity: a traitor who used +the cover of the freemason lodge only that he might the easier and +safer hatch out his plot to gain, by the most brutal means imaginable, +the independence of his country. + +In his declaration made in the presence of Colonel Francisco Olive +y Garcia and others on the 23rd of September 1896, Moises Salvador +Francisco, of Quiapo (Manila) stated that "in April 1891 he came to +Manila bringing with him a copy of the agreements arrived at by the +Junta of Madrid, and these he handed over to Timoteo Paez to see if +masonic lodges could be established as a commencement of the work. In +the following year of 1892 Pedro Serrano arrived from Spain and then +Masonry (native) was introduced into the Philippines, the first lodge +instituted being the Nilad." + +To give some idea of the separatist aims which gave life and +nourishment to the Tagalog revolt, I will quote a few extracts taken +from masonic documents, and from the declarations, made by persons +complicated in the conspiracy. These declarations were made in the +presence of the appointed judge, Col. D. Francisco Olive y Garcia, +and others, and are of capital interest in the study of the rise and +fall of the filipino "commune". + +The citations are as follows: + +I. In an act of Session of the Katipunan Sur at the commencement of +the year 1896, the session being opened, the president don Agustin +Tantoko, a native priest [18], invited the membership present to +express its opinion concerning the questions proposed, viz: how +ought we to act towards society; towards ourselves; and how ought +we to act in case of surprise. Mariano Kalisan considered, dealing +with the first question, that "as their principal object was not to +leave alive any Spaniard in all the future Filipino republic" they +should procure to make friends with them as much as possible in order +to be able to carry out their plans with more surety when the time +should arrive to give the cry of independence. D. Gabino Tantoko, +brother of the president, considered that the said principle should +be carried out especially in dealing with the members of the Religious +Orders. Both propositions were accepted. + +As regards the second question, Epifanio Ramos proposed that meetings +should be held as seldom as possible "in order to avoid scandals". + +In case of surprise, Hermenegildo Garcia considered that "the +strongest fort lay in denial." The brothers Tantoko remarked that such +surprise was almost impossible seeing that they had determined "not +to leave alive any of those who might surprise them." The president +moreover remarked that, from that time forward, in case of danger, +"they should destroy all the papers they held in their power, such +as acts, receipts, letters, plans and especially the arms they held, +in case the blow they were to deal in Manila should not succeed." This +was accepted unanimously. + +In reply to a question, the president affirmed that "all the sections +of Katipunan existing in the future Filipino republic pursued the +same end: viz: the independence of the Filipino people, the release +from the yoke of the step-mother [19] Spain." + +II. In a document dated the 12th of June 1896 and giving instructions +to those who should carry out the proposed slaughter of all the +Spaniards in Manila, we read: + +"2nd. Once the signal is given every bro. shall fulfill the duty +imposed upon him by this Gr. Reg. Log. without considerations of any +kind, neither of parentage, friendship nor of gratitude, etc." + +"4th. The blow having been struck at the Captain General and the other +Spanish Authorities, the loyals shall attack the convents and shall +behead their infamous inhabitants, respecting the wealth contained +in the said convents; this shall be gathered ... etc." + +"6th. On the following day the bbro. designated shall bury all the +bodies of their hateful oppressors in the field of Bagumbayan together +with their wives and children, and on the site shall later on be raised +a monument commemorative of the independence of the G. N. F. (Gran +Nacion Filipina)." + +"7th. The bodies of the members of the Religious Orders shall not be +buried, but burned in just payment for the felonies (sic) which they +committed during life against the Filipino nation during the three +hundred years of their nefarious domination." [20] + +This infamous document is signed by the president of the +executive commission by the Gr. Mast. adj. Giordano Bruno, and the +Gr. Sec. Galileo. [21] + +III. In his declaration made before Col. Olive y Garcia, the second +Lieutenant D. Benedicto Nijaga y Polonis, a native of Carbeyeng, +province of Samar, stated that the conspiracy was entered into for +the purpose of securing from Spain, by peaceful means, or by the +process of revolution, the independence of the country. He affirmed +moreover that, in the case of revolution, the aid of Japan was to be +sought and that the co-operation of the native troops was expected: +and that the plan of campaign of the rebels who were in San Mateo, +was to "fall upon Manila", the native infantry sent out to meet the +attack to pass over to the rebel ranks. + +IV. In his declaration made in Manila before the same judge, Pio +Valenzuela y Alejandrino stated that he was one of the members of the +Interior Supreme Council of the Katipunan, the aim of which was to +collect a large amount of money and promote a general rising in order +to declare the independence of the islands under the protectorate +of the Empire of Japan. Further on he stated that the rising was to +have taken place at 7 o'clock p. m. on the 29th of August, entry being +made into Manila and its suburbs, the rebels "killing the Spaniards, +and the natives and Chinese who did not wish to follow them, and +then devoting themselves to the sacking of the town, to robbery and +incendiarism and the violation of women." + +V. Romualdo de J., sculptor of Sta. Cruz, Manila, declared that he had +founded the Katipunan in 1888, the year in which the manifestation +against the Archbishop was made; he defined the aim of the society +to be "the killing of all the Spaniards and the taking possession of +the islands." + +VI. In his declaration made in Cavite, September 3, 1896, Alfonso +Ocampo affirmed that according to the plans formulated, they +were "to make the assault, killing and robbing all the peninsular +Spaniards." And moreover, that "the rebellion had for its object the +assassination of all the peninsular Spaniards, the violation and +beheading afterwards of their wives and of their children even to +the youngest." + +Many others might be cited; with these six samples an idea may be +gathered of the progressive idea advocated or fostered by Rizal, +Pilar, Lopez, Ponce, the Lunas, Rosario, Cortes, and others who were +inspired by Morayta, the Grand Master of the Gran Oriente Espanol. + + + +Note 4. The then Civil Governor of Manila, in a report to the Colonial +Minister concerning what was taking place in Manila says, speaking +of this Corps: + +"... this Corps of Vigilance which, although composed of no more than +45 persons including the inspectors of the same ... renders a service +(to the Government in secret service work) which should be confided +to 100 persons, considering the nature and the amount of the work +undertaken and performed daily, from the day of the formation of the +Corps to this day: a period of about a year. The interesting body of +police which under my orders has performed such valuable services, +is that which has attained greatest success in the fruitful labor of +making clear the vandalistic events we have been experiencing." + + + +Note 5. Filibusters: more properly called separatists. Noah Webster +describes a filibuster as a "lawless military adventurer, especially +one in quest of plunder; a free-booter, a pirate." Hence, taken +in its true meaning, the word does not apply to the separatists of +the Philippines. Retana classifies the filibuster in three groups: +the first: he who, thinking little or nothing of the independence +of his country, showed more or less aversion to the peninsular +Spaniards. 2. He who, under the pretext or without it, of illustrating +his countrymen, inculcated into their minds political ideas which, +without meriting the qualification of subversive, tended to incite +them against supposed oppressions of the Spaniards; against all +things which appeared behind the times, hence according to their way +of arguing, against the Religious Corporations, to which they owed +everything except their anti-Spaniardism. As a rule those belonging +to this group professed great love for the mother-country and did +not preach ideas of independence; they held the belief that theirs +was the duty to prepare the way for the emancipation which should +be attained by their grandchildren. And 3. Those whose aim was to +attain the emancipation of their country as soon as possible. This +latter group were the true separatists. It is however difficult to +distinguish between the filibuster so called, and the true separatist; +perhaps the only admissible distinction is that the separatist is a man +of peaceful methods whilst the filibuster is a man of struggles. Rizal +was more or less a separatist, Andres Bonifacio a veritable filibuster. + + + +Note 6. Sr. Olive was a gentleman who well deserved the respect and +honor paid to him by his nation, and the hatred of those whose plans of +treachery he thwarted and who, in spiteful revenge, have gone so far as +to accuse him of using torture and other forcible means of extorting +confessions, many of which they claim to have been false. Sr. Olive +was too kind-hearted a man to stoop to such methods even had the +circumstances demanded the use of moderate physical persuasion. + +At one time Sr. Olive was the Governor of the Marianas Islands +concerning the which he wrote and published a very interesting +memoir. He was at that time Lieut. Colonel. + +Later on he was made Colonel and as such was placed at the head of +one of the sections of the Guardia Civil of Manila. He was secretary +of the sub-inspection of arms of the Philippines. When a state of +war was declared, the charges which were at that time being prepared +in connection with the insurrection, were handed over to Sr. Olive, +who with a zeal worthy of praise, and an energy too seldom exerted, +commenced to deal out strict justice to the enemies of their +country. About a year and a half ago Sr. Olive was made General +of Brigade. + + + +Note 7. According to a pamphlet written by a pseudonymous freemason and +printed in Paris in 1896, the first lodge founded in the Philippines +was that established in Cavite about 1860 under the name of Luz +Filipina and subject to the Gr. Or. Lusitian, enjoying immediate +correspondence with the Portuguese lodges of Macao and Hong-Kong +which served as intermediaries between that lodge and those of other +neighboring countries. + +Another statement however, from the pen of Sr. Nicolas Diaz y Perez +who formed his data from the original documents of the lodges, places +the first foundation at the end of the year 1834. At this time, +says Sr. Diaz, D. Mariano Marti, who died twenty-seven years later, +whilst on his return to Spain, founded, together with others, lodges +in various parts of the Archipelago, but they did not prosper and soon +dissolved. The epoch of intrigues which produced so much disquietude +and perversion of moral customs and ideas, more especially in the +Tagal provinces, commenced about 1868. The masonic activity at that +time was owing greatly to the political intriguers who were deported +from Spain to this archipelago, where their influence was felt in no +small degree, to the detriment of public morals. + +About 1872, during the interim government of Gen. Blanco Valderrama, +a lodge was founded in Sampaloc, subject to the Gr. Or. Esp., +and composed entirely of peninsular Spaniards with the exclusion +of natives. + +In the same year D. Rufino Pascual Torrejon reached Manila and united +his efforts to those of Marti, founding lodges purely Spanish. + +On the first of March 1874 was created the lodge "Luz de Oriente" under +the obedience of the Gr. Or. de Esp., the Gr. Comend. being D. Juan +de la Somera. This was really the first successful establishment of +masonry in the Philippines. The cited Sr. Diaz y Perez says on this +point; "It may be said that freemasonry regularly constituted in the +Philippines, dates from the 1st. of March 1874, with the creation of +the lodge Luz de Oriente...." + +On the 1st of March 1875 was installed the Gr. L. Departmental, +D. Rufino Pascual Torrejon being the Gr. President. + +Up to the year 1884 the lodges of the Philippines did not admit to +their membership either indians or half-castes; but since that time, +and upon the initiative of the Gr. Mast. of the Gr. Or. Esp. the doors +of the lodges were opened to all indians and half-castes who could read +or write. Later on purely native lodges were founded and from that time +Spain lost, little by little but surely, her hold upon the people, +with the result that she eventually lost her colony. What masonry +has accomplished in other parts of the world it also accomplished +here very effectually. It laid the foundation for the undermining of +society, bringing forth a generation of traitors and building up a +kingdom for anti-Christ. + +As has been proved over and over again by the many masonic documents +which have been discovered, freemasonry was ever anti-Catholic +in the Philippines; but it was not until it had degenerated into +filibusterism that the anti-Spanish spirit really took shape. Year +by year this spirit spread and more, especially among the natives +and half-castes of less intellectual capacity. Among this element, +separatist ideas spread with marvelous rapidity owing to the +peculiarity of the character of the native and of the half-caste, +more especially the Chinese half-caste. (See note 19). + +Up to 1890, even Filipino masonry enjoyed but insignificant +development. By 1892, however, it had spread widely, and in the +following year Manila was gifted with a female lodge founded on the +18th of July of that year, under the name of "La Semilla", of which +Rosario Villareal, the daughter of Faustino Villareal, was declared +the Ven. Gr. Mistress. + +From this time the element of politico-social decomposition +gained ground among the native and half-caste population. New ideas +continually gave place to the old and as the aims and purposes of the +lodges degenerated, these centers of anti-catholic propaganda became +more and more anti-Spanish. + +Isabelo de los Reyes, in an attempted defense of his "friends", +makes the important confession that "Filipino freemasonry was not so +inoffensive as it was believed.... The "Liga" at least was a school of +conspiracy, and in truth, the Filipinos did not turn out bad pupils." + +Another demonstration of the inoffensiveness of freemasonry is the +following series of facts taken from a pamphlet published in 1896 in +Paris by Antonio Regidor under the pseudonym of Francisco Engracio +Vergara. Regidor was a distinguished figure in the attempted revolt +of 1872, and hence may justly be supposed to know something of the +matter of which he speaks. He says: + +"By reason of the rising of Cavite many Filipinos characterized as +progressives were deported to Marianas.... To the masons of Hong-Kong +was owing the flight of several Filipinos...." + +"The foreign masons distributed arms in Negros, Mindanao and Jolo. The +official bank of Singapore distributed in Cebu, Leyte and Bohol over +L80,000 stg., and that of Hong-Kong more than L200,000 in Panay and +Negros.... The French freemasons at the petition of brother Paraiso, +went to aid also the escape of the deported in Marianas." + + + +Note 8. Rizal and others: Of this group Rizal, Pilar, the Lunas and +Cortes, formed the more guilty part, they being men of superior +education and more enlightened minds. Rizal was the center upon +which almost everything connected with the revolt turned. During +his younger days he lived with his parents in Calamba, where they +occupied a stretch of land owned by the Dominican Corporation. The +Rizal family was one of those most favored by the Dominicans [22], +and one of those ungrateful ones too, which commenced law-suit against +the said Corporation to unjustly possess themselves of the land they +held at rent. + +Rizal received his secondary education at the Ateneo Municipal +conducted by the Jesuit Fathers, and was always a bright attentive and +successful pupil. At that time he was secretary of the Sodality of the +Blessed Virgin and Promoter of the Apostleship of Prayer. Whilst he +remained true to the traditions of Catholic Spain, he was an upright +pious youth. Much of his time he spent in carving wooden images of the +Blessed Virgin and of the Sacred Heart, and in writing compositions, +some of them remarkable for their beauty, in which were reflected a +pure love for Spain. + +Having attained the degree of Bachelor he left the Ateneo and passed to +the University of Manila, continuing his studies under the Dominican +Fathers. There he studied medicine with great success for some years, +and at length went to Europe to terminate his career and take his +degrees. + +Rizal left school like so many other filipino students, overloaded +with science he was unable to direct, full of pride because of his +accomplishments, and very ambitious. He terminated his studies in +Madrid and Germany, in both of which places he fell in with a class +of people who utilized him as a tool to accomplish an end at that +time unknown to him. They filled his head with new and false ideas, +making him vain promises which appealed to his pride, and by their +dark arts made of him a separatist. He also studied English and +German, his studies in this latter language making him enthusiastic +in the things of Germany and, in an extraordinary degree, with those +of protestantism. + +Among his own people he was the possessor of an exceptional +intelligence and talent but outside his own circle his most famous +accomplishments are but poor to the student of Literature. His sadly +famous Noli me tangere and El Filibusterismo cannot pass for more +than very second-hand for their ingenuity and literary taste, but +they possess the quality of being a mirror in which is reflected the +inclinations, character and perverse moral sense of their author. In +them he is reflected as a restless spirit anxious for human glory, +haughty and above all, anti-Spanish and ungrateful in the extreme. + +It was in Berlin that he published his Noli in 1886. That this novel +was written by Rizal there in no doubt, but that the ideas therein +expressed came directly from his own head is more than doubtful. Like +the vast majority of Filipino productions, it is but a copy taken +from models which had struck the fancy of the author. The pictures +he draws therein of the disadvantages suffered by the Filipinos who +have become espanolized, are but reproductions prepared in his own +coarse and crude way of thinking, of the most scurrilous anti-Spanish +and anti-Catholic works of propaganda produced by the Bible Societies +and spread abroad throughout the world as gospel truth. Taking away +the insults hurled against the Church and the Religious Orders, +and against Spain, there is absolutely nothing new in the novel. Its +object was to attack the friars and the chiefs of the Guardia Civil, +both of which the author well knew to be the sustainment and guarantee +of peace and order in the Archipelago and consequently the strongest +support of the Spanish sovereignty in the Philippines, a sovereignty +he wished to overthrow. To a reader whose library consists of a half +a dozen books of insignificant literary value, the noli of Rizal is a +masterpiece; but to the reader who has seen a book with a cover, who +has had some experience of that portion of the world which lies outside +the limits of the town of his birth, and who is gifted with more or +less ability to think for himself, and sift the wheat from the straw +in a literary composition, noli me tangere is but a half-tone picture +cut from a newspaper and colored with water-colors by a ... school-boy. + +Towards the end of 1887, Rizal returned to the Archipelago, remaining +about two months, during the which he made active propaganda of the +ideas and fancies he had picked up in Europe: ideas which he himself +could not really understand. + +In February 1888 he left Manila for Japan, from whence he returned +to Europe, living for a while in Paris and later on in London. + +In 1892 Rizal, relying upon the generous character of D. Eulogio +Despujols, the then Governor General of the Archipelago, decided +to return to Manila. From Hong-Kong where he was then residing, he +wrote to the governor, asking permission to return to his home; the +Governor replied by means of the Spanish Consul at Hong-Kong, that +he had no reason to prohibit him from returning, and that he could +do so when it so pleased him, providing he came with no intention to +disturb the peace then reigning in the Islands. + +This Rizal lost no time in doing; he arrived together with his +sister. The baggage of both was carefully examined and in one of the +trunks was discovered a bundle of leaflets in the form of anti-friar +proclamations which indicated the bad faith of a traitor. These were +handed over to Despujols unknown to Rizal. The Governor preserved +them in his desk for future reference. In an interview with the +Governor, Rizal begged pardon for his father who was under sentence +of deportation for certain events which had taken place in Calamba; +this was granted him without reserve. + +Our hero soon forgot the aims he professed to the Governor; instead +of thinking about his folks and making his arrangements for the +colonizing scheme he professed to have worked out in Borneo, he set +to work to stir up disrespect towards the authorities, and the spirit +of political unrest. He together with Doroteo Cortes and Jose Basa +were the objects of careful vigilance on the part of the secret police. + +After a few days a prolonged conference took place between the Governor +General and Rizal. During this conference the latter made patent his +political feelings, at the same time making protestations of respect +for Spain. His political programme however was not in keeping with +his protestations of patriotism, and this fact so angered Despujols, +who now saw that Rizal's idea was to fool him, that he took from his +drawer the proclamations discovered in the agitator's baggage and +thrusting them under the nose of the traitor, said: + +--And these proclamations; what are they, what do they mean? + +Rizal taken by surprise and confounded, cowardly declared that they +were the property of his sister, a declaration which only enraged +the General the more, and he ordered his detention in Fort Santiago; +on the following day he decreed his deportation to Dapitan. + +Whilst in exile his opinion and advice were sought concerning the +advisability of immediate armed rebellion. But he, crafty, more or +less far seeing and, above all, jealous of Bonifacio's increasing +ascendancy over the people, refused to countenance the idea. Granting +the unselfish desire he professed of seeking merely the independence +of his country, Rizal's jealousy was justified. Bonifacio's one +great idea was the presidency; Rizal's: the honor and glory of having +prepared the way for, and eventually, by his labors accomplishing his +country's deliverance from what he was pleased to call the oppression +of the Spanish Government. Had such oppression existed, Rizal's idea +would have been worthy of classifying as noble. George Washington well +deserved the name of the "Father of his Country," for he, laying aside +all selfish aims and desires, led a handful of men against a horde of +mercenaries sent by a cruel monarch who oppressed his people, not only +in the colonies but in the mother-country also. Washington was a man +who deserved and received the respect of those against whom he fought, +for he fought for a principle. Such an honor never has, and never +can be received by Rizal from his own countrymen. The campaign Rizal +fought was inspired by and worked out in the freemason lodges which +used our "hero" as a willing tool. Rizal was a Filipino Garibaldi, +never a Filipino Washington, and hence the honors paid to his memory +as a "patriot" must emanate from the lodge rooms which made him what +he was, and not from the people of his country. + +In Dapitan the Filipino agitator was not inactive. On one occasion +he directed a letter (which never reached its destination on account +of its having fallen into the hands of Spanish authorities) to the +Capitan Municipal of the province of Batangas, giving him information +of the work of filibusterism which was at that time being carried on. + +Rizal, tiring of his position in Dapitan, eventually asked permission +of the Governor General, Gen. Blanco, to be sent to Cuba as physician +to the Spanish forces there. Blanco agreed to the proposition and +ordered his return to Manila in preparation for the voyage to Spain, +where he was to be sent and placed at the disposition of the Minister +of War. + +From Spain came word, however, that the petition could not be accepted; +and for a very good reason. Rizal's idea of becoming an army surgeon, +was a manifest pretence, his real aim was to aid the separatist +movement there, if he ever got there, but primarily to make his +escape at an intermediate port, Singapore probably, if opportunity +occurred. Moreover, it having come to the ears of the authorities that +certain people of Pampanga and Bulacan were preparing a reception for +the agitator, the Governor ordered that he should not be allowed to +leave Dapitan, and that should he have left there, he should not be +allowed to land in Manila on his arrival, but be transferred to another +ship which should carry him back to Mindanao. It happened that he had +left Dapitan on board the S. S. Espana, and in due time he arrived +at Manila. At 11 a. m. on the 6th of August the ship on which he came +anchored in the bay and everyone landed except Rizal. A lieutenant of +the Veterana went aboard and took possession of the person of Rizal, +holding him as a prisoner till 7:30 p. m., at which time, through an +error in the delivery of an order, he was allowed to disembark. This he +did in company with his sister Narcisa, and they made their way to the +office of the Captain of the Port and later on to the Comandancia of +the Veterana. His sister not having been under sentence of deportation, +was allowed to go to the home of her relatives. + +During the evening of the same day Gen. Blanco gave a reception +at Malacanang at which were present the Archbishop of Manila, the +Illust. Sr. Bernardino Nozaleda; Sr. Echaluce; Sr. Fernandez Victorio, +President of Audiencia; Sr. Bores Romero, the Civil Director and +others. During the reception Gen. Blanco received a telegram from the +Governor of the province of Batangas stating that in the pueblo of +Taal, in the house of the brother of the filibuster Felipe Agoncillo, +had been discovered a quantity of arms and ammunition, among other +things being 10 revolvers, 10 winchesters, 10 other guns, a case of +explosive bullets, a quantity of dynamite, a Japanese flag, another +composed of red and blue with a representation of the sun in the +center surrounded by seven stars--the flag of the future Filipino +republic. Blanco realizing the importance of the news, formed a +committee from among those present, choosing those who were members +of the Junta of Authorities, to take steps in the matter. Orders were +immediately given that Rizal should be placed on board the cruiser +Castilla which was stationed at Cavite; this was carried out, the +start from Manila being made at 11 p. m. the same night. This action +was considered necessary, in as much as the news of the landing of +Rizal spread fast and caused no little stir among his followers. + +Whilst Rizal was on board the cruiser Castilla which was awaiting +orders, the Katipunan revolt broke out in Manila and the suburbs. Very +soon afterwards his voyage Spainwards was commenced on board the +S. S. Colon, the insurrection becoming more and more wide-spread +daily. On finding to what an extent Rizal was complicated in the +work of the revolution, his return to the Archipelago, as a prisoner, +was demanded, and so our "hero" returned to be judged as were so many +of his fellow agitators, for the crimes for which he was morally and +physically responsible. + +A council of war was constituted under the presidency of +Lieut. Col. Tabares, Capt. Tavil de Andrade taking charge of the +defense of the prisoner. The accusation preferred against him was that +he was the chief organizer of the revolution. The trial took place in +the hall of the Cuartel de Espana in the presence of a large audience +among whom were his sister and the woman with whom he had been living +in Dapitan. The charge having been read out, several declarations were +made by Rizal, some before his voyage to Spain and others since his +return were also read. During his trial Rizal denied the knowledge +of several persons who were his intimate friends and co-workers; +among them Maximo Inocencio and Mariano Linjap, and others with whom +he had been in almost continual communication. He denied knowledge +of the "Liga Filipina" stating that not only did he not found it, +but that he was not aware of its existence. He affirmed ignorance of +who Valenzuela was, and almost immediately afterwards stated that he +had held an interview with him in Dapitan when that individual had +been sent there by Bonifacio to consult him on the subject of armed +rebellion. Throughout the whole trial he pursued the same tactics, +proving that, of himself, he was but an ordinary Filipino indian who, +when left to himself to stand on his own merits, gave no signs of +particular judgement or power of thought. The Filipino on trial, +even for some significant affair, cannot tell a lie to advantage: +Rizal was no exception even in this. The trial being ended he was +condemned to execution. + +Previous to meeting his death he confessed and received the Holy +Communion from the hands of the Jesuit Fathers having after long +consideration, made the following retraction of his errors: + + + "I declare myself Catholic and in this religion in which I was born + and educated I wish to live and die. I retract with all my heart + all my words, writings and actions that have been contrary to my + condition as a son of the Catholic Church. I believe and profess + whatever She teaches and I submit to whatever She demands. I + abominate masonry as an enemy of the Church and as a society + condemned by the Church. + + "The diocesan prelate, as superior ecclesiastical authority, may + make public this spontaneous manifestation, to make reparation + for the scandals which may have been caused by my works, and that + God and my fellow-men may pardon me." + + "Manila 29th December 1896.--Jose Rizal.--Witnesses: Juan del + Fresno, Chief of Picket.--Eloy Maure, Adjutant." + + +He also entered the holy bonds of matrimony with the young woman +with whom he had been living for some time in Mindanao. On the way +to the place of his execution he remarked to one of the Fathers who +accompanied him. Father, it is my pride that has brought me here." + +Of the political error committed by the Spanish Authorities in +the execution of Rizal, I do not hold myself up as a judge. All +governments, like human beings, commit mistakes and at times grave +ones. The Spanish authorities, feeling themselves justified in so +doing, ordered the execution of the prisoner who was responsible +for one of the most bloody revolts since the time of the French +revolution: the pattern taken by the Filipino leaders, for the means +of the foundation of the Filipino republic. Rizal was executed on the +Luneta. To assert that he was offered up as a victim to gratify the +wishes of the Religious Orders is but a crude and vicious argument +worthy of its inventors and propagators. Nothing, absolutely nothing, +can be brought forward to prove such an assertion, but on the contrary, +those members of the Religious Orders who concerned themselves in +the stirring affairs of the revolution were, as a very general rule, +opposed to harsh and extreme measures being taken; and among these +was the Illustrious Archbishop of Manila, Sr. Nozaleda, a noble, +tenderhearted and compassionate prelate, a prelate who has been dubbed +by Foreman as "the blood-thirsty Archbishop". Had the friars held the +reins of government as they are stated to have done, history would not +have to record the names of so many, many people who were executed: +people who were scarcely to be held as guilty, in as much as they +were but sheep who thoughtlessly followed their shepherds without +even looking to see where the road they trod would lead them. + +In politics Rizal had his party composed of a number of insignificant +petty-lawyers, petty-doctors and others possessing academic titles and +a semi-formed cerebral power. These were backed by a mass of the people +of Calamba, Rizal's birthplace. In their eyes he was a "Messiah", a +"Mahdi", their prophet and redeemer. As an individual he was bright +and intelligent, and had he not been led astray by those who made a +"cat's paw" of him, and who cruelly deserted him in his hour of need, +he would doubtless have been one of the foremost Filipinos of to-day +in that sphere of life in which God had placed him. + +A Spanish proverb says: "In blind man's land the one eyed man is a +king." Rizal was a king. + + + +Note 9. Marcelo Hilario del Pilar y Gatmaytan was a native of +Bulacan. He was, by profession, a lawyer, and had been enabled to +complete his studies in that direction through the good offices of the +Augustinian Fathers of Manila, who had given him the money necessary +to matriculate and to pay the cost of his title of "abogado." [23] + +Pilar left Manila for the peninsula about the end of '88 for fear of +deportation: a punishment at that time staring him in the face. He +was one of the earliest workers on the "La Solidaridad", the official +organ of Filipino freemasonry in all its sections. He later on became +its director. + +Pilar was another of the many malays whose ways were beyond human +comprehension. Spaniards who have lived a life-time among the indians +and studied them carefully from all points of view agree that the +deeper one studies the native character the more incomprehensible it +becomes. That is, the study of the average filipino: Pilar was one of +the average. He was not gifted with the education enjoyed by Rizal, +nor was he such a stupid visionary as Pedro Paterno; he possessed +touches of the character of both. + +Like so many of those Filipinos who fed at the hands of the Religious +Orders, he eventually turned to bite the hand that fed him. As in the +case of the others who had done the like, he did so, not because he had +cause to, but because he fell, as did they, under the evil influence +of those who utilized them to work out their schemes of treachery. + +Pilar was sent to Spain as a delegate of the Committee of +propaganda. Owing to this position of chief of the delegation in +Madrid, and by reason of his intimate friendship with Morayta, +he occupied a position from which neither Rizal nor even the whole +of the progressive indians combined, could drive him. He held, for +some time, high office in the Gr. Or. Esp. as will be seen from the +following clipping taken from page 107 of the Annual of that Orient +for the year 1894-95. + + + "GRAN CONS. DE LA ORDEN + 1894-1895 + Muy Ven. Gran Maestre Presidente + Ven. H. Miguel Morayta y Sagrario, Gr. 33 + ................................... + Ven. Gran Orador Adjunto + V. Marcelo H. del Pilar Gr. 33" (h. Kupang) + + +It was Pilar who conceived the plan of the Katipunan; and yet after +all it was not his conception, for the scheme he formed was at the +best, a piece of patch work made up of the plans worked out in the +various revolutions which had taken place in some part of the world. + +What Pilar's ambition was, it is hard to say; from his actions and +writings one is almost driven to the supposition that he had none +in particular, but was led to the separatist labors he performed by +force of compromise. + +When the time was ripe for action Pilar determined to leave Madrid and +make his way to Japan. He commenced the journey arriving at Barcelona, +from whence he was to make his way east. There, however, he was taken +suddenly ill, and died on the 4th of June 1896, in the Hospital of +that city. + +In many things Pilar was superior to Rizal. Unlike that agitator, Pilar +was not a sneaking, skulking petty-politician; he was straight-forward +and had the courage of his opinions. What Pilar would have done if +placed in the same circumstances as Rizal it is hard to say, but we +may be assured that he would not have acted the coward as did Rizal. + + + +Note 10. Antonio and Juan Luna were two of four brothers. The former +was a bacteriologist, the latter an artist who at one time, whilst +he followed the instruction, and remained under the guidance of +his master, showed no little talent. Antonio went to Spain in '88, +and later on passed to Paris where he lived with his brother Juan +who supported him. There he devoted himself to the study which made +him famous; this he did in the laboratory of Dr. Roux. He became an +assistant editor of the Solidaridad, the official organ of filipino +freemasonry, and wrote many vicious articles in its columns over the +pseudonym of Taga-Ilog. As a member of the freemason fraternity he +was known as Gay Lussac. + +On his return to Manila he established, for a livelihood, a school +of fencing, and like the vain, insensate "magpie in borrowed plumes" +that he was, he once sent his seconds to a Spanish officer, inviting +him to a duel! + +During the second half of the rebellion of '96, Aguinaldo offered +Antonio the position of director of the War Department with the +grade of General of Brigade. This honor, however, he declined. The +Independencia speaking on this incident, says:-- + +"The military knowledge of Sr. Luna, acquired during his captivity +(sic) in the prisons of the peninsula (Spain), is to be found condensed +in two small works, one concerning the organization of the army, having +as its base the idea of obligatory service in which he demonstrates +that Luzon might put on a war footing 250,000 to 400,000 men, and +the whole archipelago as many as from 800,000 to 900,000. The other +work is a practical course in field fortifications as adopted by the +French and German armies." [24] + +Juan, from childhood, was of an artistic turn of mind and found among +his many protectors those who sent him to Spain to study art. In +Spain he met with Sr. Alejo Vera, a noteworthy artist, under whom +he studied, receiving an exceptional education both in art and in +morals, Sr. Vera being a Christian gentleman. Later on he went to +Rome, and there formed part of the Spanish artistic colony. After some +two or three years of study there he sent to Spain his first painting +[25]. Being an artistic production of a Filipino indian it was received +with open hands and given a reception greater than it really deserved, +as a result of the influence of Luna's friends. From Rome he went +to Paris. It was in that city that he committed the fiendish double +murder which so startled and shocked his friends and acquaintances, +his victims being his wife and his mother-in-law, sister and mother +of a prominent political aspirant of modern Manila. The result of +the trial was that the courts of Justice of Paris absolved him. He +then returned to Madrid, and soon after, to Manila. + +What Spain did for the Filipino brought forth fruit in only a few of +the people who fell under her beneficent christian influence. The Lunas +were among the few. They, like so many other ungrateful children, +repaid their benefactors by becoming leaders of the insensate and +inexcusable revolt against them: a revolt, the first act of which was +to be the brutal murder of all Spaniards irrespective of parentage or +other claims of consideration. Both the brothers suffered arrest by +the Spanish authorities for rebellion and sedition, but in spite of +the degree to which they were complicated, they remained practically +free from punishment, and ever at the right hand of the imbecile +General Blanco, himself a freemason, and friend of the enemies of +his country. Eventually the two brothers left the ante-chamber of +the Governor to enter the security of the military prison. + +Both brothers eventually retracted their errors only to fall into +them again as soon as the lying protests of repentance had fallen +from their lips. + +Juan died in Hong-Kong; Antonio, after a career of militarism succumbed +to the same unprincipled ambition which carried Andres Bonifacio to +an untimely grave. + + + +Note 11. Doroteo Cortes was banished by Governor Despujol in the year +1893, to the province of La Union where he founded in San Fernando, +the Capital, aided by Arturo Dancel, the lodge "Rousseau" and two +others in the pueblos of San Juan and Agoo. He was a lawyer and became +the president of the committee of Propaganda which was formed with +the idea of gathering pecuniary resources for covering the expense +of the distribution of all classes of pamphlets and anti-Religious +proclamations. He was at one time the president of the Superior Supreme +Council of the Katipunan [26], and received the funds collected for +the payment of the expenses of the political commission sent to Japan +to seek the aid and protection of that power. Cortes was a co-worker +with Andres Bonifacio and whilst the former devoted his efforts to the +enlistment of people for the general rising throughout the country, +the latter continued his negotiations with Japan to the end of forcing +some international struggle between Spain and that Power [27]. By +order of the Superior Council Cortes went to Japan to join Ramos and +aid in the purchase of arms. Shortly after his arrival he communicated +by letter with Ambrosio Bautista informing him that he had seen and +spoken on the subject with the Japanese ministers of State and of +Foreign Affairs [28], and that the said ministers "demanded guarantees" +of the probable success of the undertaking before entering into the +scheme. According to a statement of Isabelo de los Reyes, Cortes was +"the first person of means and position who came to the decision of +attacking, in the Philippines, the Religious Corporations. He was the +soul of the manifestation of '88." (See appendix B.) At the time of +the American occupation of the Archipelago the Cortes family showed +themselves friendly to the new sovereignty and aided in many ways +the establishment of good feeling between the two peoples. + + + +Note 12. Pedro Serrano, symbolic name Panday-Pira, was a 24th degree +mason. He was a school-master of the municipal school of Quiapo. After +having done considerable work of propaganda in masonry he abjured +it. He was the cause of the entry into the lodges of hundreds of indian +and half-caste clerks, laborers, employees, petty merchants and others +of all classes and employments. He was accused by his fellow masons of +exploiting the society [29] and of treason, of frequenting the Palace +of the Archbishop and the College of San Juan de Letran, and of many +things unbecoming a mason. In a document dated the 31st of March 1894, +dispatched by the G. Cons. Reg. of Filipino masonry to the lodge +Modestia, Serrano was denounced, and all masons were urged to flee +from him. In the said document, a translation of which will be found +in Appendix C, is poured forth the complaint of the president of the +Gr. Cons. (h. Muza) of a leakage somewhere in the treasury in which +were stored up the secrets of the treasonable labors being carried +out in the Filipino lodges. By way of specific charges the president +denounces Panday-Pira because he had the courage to give vent to his +opinions concerning the doings of the Filipino lodges, to a foreign +mason; because he was known to have, for some reason or other, visited +the Archbishop's palace and Dominican College; that he had demanded +the possession of certain documents, threatening the possessors if +they did not give them up, etc. etc. On this account he was denounced +as a traitor and dubbed "reptile", the pot calling the kettle black. + + + +Note 13. Morayta, the famous Don Miguel, the "papa" of the rebellious +Filipinos! It is an almost world-wide belief that the number 13 is +an unlucky number. If this be so, then Miguel Morayta well deserves +his name, for in it there are thirteen letters; the first letter of +each word commences with the thirteenth letter of the alphabet and +it happens also that this miserable individual falls to note 13. I +will therefore complete the coincidence by saying all I have to say +of this person in thirteen lines. + +Morayta was at one time Gr. Master of the Gr. Or. de Espana, but was +later on expelled therefrom, according to a masonic publication. In +1888 he founded the Gr. Or. Espanol, the mother of the Katipunan. In +1890 he took over the proprietorship of La Solidaridad then published +by Marcelo del Pilar for separatist ends. Morayta was the idol of +the Filipino students who sought education in the Peninsula. Using +him as a means towards an end they aimed at, they banquetted him and +thus assiduously attacking his stomach they finally captured him. + + + +Note 14. Tagalog: The Tagalogs are a branch of the Malay family +which, in former times, dominated from Madagascar to the ends of the +Pacific. They form part of what we might call the Malay-Chinee race, +i. e. the cross between the female on the Malay side and the Chinee +on the side of the male. This cross has been taking place from time +immemorial, commencing long before the islands were discovered by +the Spanish explorers. The present Tagalog indian enjoys more of the +characteristics of the Chinee than of the Malay on account of the +potency of the Chinee blood over the Malay. + +Going back to ancient times the probability is that the original +Malay first became modified by its crossing with the inhabitants +proper of the archipelago--the Negritos--marks of which mixture are +still discernible in many of the Tagalogs. + +A second modification came through the mixture between the +Malay-Negrito and the Indonesian, traces of which are seen in +the light color of the skin in a portion, although small, of the +Tagalogs. Another modification, the most marked, originated from the +crossing of the Malay-Negrito-Indonesian with the Chinee, the Chinee +being marked by the increase in stature, the elevation of the skull +and other minor marks. + +During the last three centuries this hybrid Tagalog has undergone +another small and gradual change by reason of a limited crossing with +Spanish blood. This latter mixture however is insignificant in extent +but always produces a superior type. As a people the Tagalogs number +about one and a half millions, and inhabit the regions around about +Manila. The traits of character of the four principal trunks from +which the Tagalog of to-day is derived are, although still present in +a greater or lesser degree, considerably modified by climatological +and historical circumstances. + +At the coming of the Spaniards the Tagalogs, like the remaining native +peoples of the archipelago, were met with in the depths of the savage +ages, and were to a certain extent, of cannibalistic tendencies. + +The average Tagalog is not wanting in courage, a fact he has often +displayed, but this courage is never seen to advantage except when the +indian is under the leadership of a person of exceptional valor or a +strict disciplinarian. Like most peoples derived from the Malay stock, +the Tagalog indian is subject to strange fits of mental aberration, +the fits taking different forms, generally innocent ones, the worst +being a homicide under the influence of a "hot head". At least that +is what might have been said of him 8 or 10 years ago, previous to +the time in which he became fanaticised by freemasonry. He is not +even yet apt to run amok as is usual among the Malays and this is +undoubtedly due to the civilizing religious influence which has been +brought to bear upon him during the three centuries of Spanish rule +in the Archipelago. It is a noteworthy fact that in the same degree +as the influence of religion, of the Religious Orders if you will, +became lesser, in exactly equal degree did crime increase. Explain +this as you will the fact remains that during the four years or +so that the indian has been under the care and protection of a +government indifferent to all religion, crime has increased a hundred +fold, perhaps arithmetically so also, and crimes unheard of in days +gone by, have become so common as scarcely to merit mention in the +columns of Manila's yellow journalism. What the Tagalog indian is +equal to when free from the restraint of the Catholic religion, +has been seen from the fearful crimes and barbarities committed +against Spaniards and against Americans during the insurrection. The +brutalities committed upon the unfortunate prisoners who fell into +their hands were unheard of even among the savage Arab hordes of the +Soudan, nor have the records of the ferocity of the Chinese boxers +yet told us of things equal to the fearful events which took place in +the province of Cavite and elsewhere. And for all this the Tagalog +indian is responsible: the Tagalog for whom Pedro Paterno claims a +pre-Spanish civilization on the plan of the Aztec and ancient Peruvian +indians. Like all oriental peoples the Tagalog is superstitious and +loves demonstration, symbolism and things grotesque. About the only +thing left to him of his ancient civilization as Paterno calls it, +barbarism we generally say, is his mythology. In it everything is +more or less connected with spirits. Their faith in what they call +their anting anting [30] is unbreakable. Rizal was supposed to be +under the protection of the anting-anting but the leaden missiles +which took away his life carried away the anting-anting also: and yet +there are thousands upon thousands of indians, some of them men of +enlightenment, who still cling to the belief that Rizal still lives, +thanks to the influence of his protecting amulet. Nor did anting anting +avail Aguinaldo who now probably believes far more in the protection of +his American prison than in that offered by his anting anting charms. + +Their mythology has, like their ancient character, been greatly +modified in the vast majority, by the influence of the civilization +implanted by Spain. This is one point in which Spain has differed from +most nations in methods of civilization and colonization. However +we may judge her in respect to her colonial administration in the +Philippines, we cannot deny that she has been distinguished from other +nations by her aim of preserving the native races of the archipelago, +the destruction consequent upon the radical change undergone in +everything, being limited to the savage customs and immoralities in +which the native peoples were found submerged. + +The masonic lodges spoken of in the text which were asked of Morayta, +were established, although they were not exclusively Tagalog in +their membership. As a result of the petition of the Filipino colony +mentioned in the same text, the theories and practices of Masonry +were carried to the Tagalogs but instead of the needy brethren being +aided by the wealthy ones, they were subjected to a contribution +in exchange for which they received a gaudy regalia; in other words +they were bought over with strings of beads and with tinsel truck as +were the indians discovered by Capt. Cook in the South Sea Islands, +with the exception that Capt. Cook and those who followed him carried +civilization to the natives, whilst the founders of the Katipunan +carried to the Tagalogs and the other indians of the archipelago +misery and demoralization. + + + +Note 15. Faustino Villaruel Gomara was a Spanish half-caste, a native +of Pandaran, living in Binondo. He was the founder of the lodge "La +Patria" of which he was also the Ven. Gr. Master with grade 18. He +also founded a lodge of female freemasons, for the foundation of +which he committed the nefarious crime of prostituting his daughter, +handing her over, in the period of her innocence and candor, to the +ridiculous workings and practices of freemasonry. Rosario Villaruel +(Minerva), thus sacrificed by her father, was initiated in Hong-Kong +and made venerable of the first lodge of female masons in Manila, +drawing in after her a large number of her half-caste friends, young +folk of bare instruction. This lodge was known as "La Semilla". Its +composition was: Sisters: Carlota Zamora, of Calle Crespo; Maria +Teresa Bordas, of Tabaco, province of Albay; Fabiana Robledo, +wife of Sixto Celis; Lorenza Nepomuceno, of Calle San Jose, Trozo; +Angelica Lopez, Calle Jolo; Narcisa Rizal; Maria Dizon, Calle Trozo, +and other fanatic females. + +Villaruel was the Gr. Oriente of filipino masonry, a deluded fanatic, +a man of but scarce intellectual endowments, an instrument of those +who knew more and were shrewder than he. By laying hands upon him +the Spanish Authorities laid hands also upon a large number of +incriminating documents which were the means of connecting many +prominent business men of Manila with the bloody programme of the +Katipunan. Among these was Francisco L. Roxas. + +Besides these documents were a large number of loose papers written +in Tagalog, in which were discovered many threatening phrases and the +expression of hopes in the success of an event to take place in the +near future. Masks and other masonic implements, including a heavily +made and sharply pointed dagger were also discovered. + +Previous to suffering the penalty of his treason he made and signed +a public abjuration, for the copy of which see Appendix E. + + + +Note 16. Andres Bonifacio was the soul of the Katipunan movement; +he was the President of the "Council of Ministers of the Supreme +Popular Council." His social condition was of a low grade, that grade +from which many of the most fanatical pseudo-reformers have come; +he was a warehouseman, a porter. In this capacity he was employed +in the establishment of Messrs Fressel and Co., and was one of the +humblest of the employees. + +Bonifacio was, however, very vain and quixotic. He was, too, a man +of sanguinary character, and held the people over whom he attained +ascendancy, in awe. His ambition was the cause of his ignominious +downfall and brutal murder at the hands of another self-asserted +dictator of the filipino Commune. Like most of his kind, he was +a great reader, and by those who knew him best he was likened to +Don Quixote, for like that worthy he passed many a night burning +away oil and candles, and sacrificing needed sleep in reading, +until his brain was turned and his whole mind given up to ideas of +revolutions. His favorite study was the French Revolution, from the +which he learned many lessons which he utilized in his projects, the +principal of which was the formation of a government after the style +of the French Commune. He was astute and comparatively intelligent, +and spoke the Tagalog dialect well. For the carrying out of his plans +he had agents in every nook and corner. No place where information +might be gathered or the work of propaganda done, was over-looked. The +offices of the Civil Government had their quota of his spies, as also +did the Intendencia, the Maestraza de Artilleria and the other large +centers. Nor were the Convents and Colleges overlooked, nor even the +big business Corporations. + +Bonifacio enjoyed an envied ascendancy over the lower classes and +the ignorant. Like others of similar tendencies, Bonifacio knew how +to exploit the "membership". He was at one time treasurer of the +Katipunan, and upon one occasion after the examination of the books +by the president of the society Andres was denounced as an exploiter, +the accounts being found in a very bad condition. A series of mutual +squabbles and insults passed between the president Roman Basa, and +Bonifacio, the whole affair ending up in a re-election of officers, +Bonifacio being chosen as president. This occurred towards the end +of the year 1893. + +The vanity of Bonifacio was comparable only to that of Aguinaldo. Among +the number of chief workers of the Katipunan was a certain Valenzuela, +a doctor who had, according to his own confession, been forced into +the membership by Bonifacio, on the strength of a "love" affair; he +was given the choice of membership or death. He chose the former but +later on resigned. Whilst a member he enjoyed a salary of 30 pesos a +month as medical officer, but only with difficulty could he collect +his pay. He claimed to have been exploited by Bonifacio who, whilst +merely a porter, could thus have at his command the free services of +a real doctor, spurning the services of the petty physicians which +abound in Manila. Nor was this all. His own (Bonifacio's) house +having been burned down, he went, on the strength of this same "love" +affair, to live in the house of the said doctor (see foot-note p. 48), +taking with him his paramour, the doctor paying the greater part of +the expenses thus incurred. + +At the time of the organization of the popular Supreme Councils, +Bonifacio was chosen president of the Council of Trozo; but in +consequence of internal troubles occasioned by his rebelliousness, +the Supreme Council decided to dissolve the local Council. Bonifacio, +true to his colors, disregarded this order and continued working on his +own account, taking upon himself the faculties of the Supreme Council. + +He preserved in a case which was found in the warehouse of Messrs +Fressel and Co., the organization of the "Filipino Republic" which +was to be, as well as a number of regulations, codes, decrees of +nominations, etc., all drawn up in Tagalog (see foot-note p. 49.) + +Upon the discovery, on the 19th of August 1896, by the Augustinian +Padre fray Mariano Gil, parish priest of Tondo, of the plot of the +Katipuneros, Bonifacio and his immediate assistants fled from Manila to +Caloocan. From that point he sent orders to the provinces of Manila, +Cavite and Nueva Ecija that a general rising should take place on the +30th of that month. These orders were given out of revenge for the +failure of the blood-thirsty plot whereby every Spaniard, man, woman +or child should share in the sufferings which his diseased brain had +concocted for those who should fall into his hands. Bonifacio issued +special orders concerning the Governor General, his plan being that he +and the other Spanish authorities of any importance should be taken +prisoners, but not killed, it being intended to hold their persons +as security for the granting of their demands. He called together +the members of the Junta Superior and nominated a general-in-chief, +a general of division and other officials. These however refused to +step into the places he had prepared for them and Bonifacio angered +thereat threatened to have the head removed from the shoulders of +anyone who dared to disobey him. The general-in-chief Teodoro Plata, +a cousin of Bonifacio, fled during the night following his nomination, +whereupon Bonifacio issued orders for his capture, commanding his +death wherever he should be found. + +Sometime previous to this, about the month of May, Bonifacio sent +Pio Valenzuela to Dapitan to hold a conference with Rizal concerning +the convenience of immediate rebellion against Spain. Rizal would not +consent to the projected revolt but opposed the idea most strenuously, +being thrown into such a bad humor by the information he received +of Bonifacio, that Valenzuela, who had gone to Dapitan intending to +spend a month there, determined to return on the following day. On +his return to Manila he recounted to Bonifacio the result of his +mission. Bonifacio who knew Rizal's influence over the people to +be greater than his own, had been living in hopes of receiving +Rizal's consent which would be the surrendering to him of the whole +responsibility and glory of the bloody enterprise. Bonifacio aspired to +the absolute, like all the so-called leaders of the revolt; so when he +realized the stand taken by Rizal, who was willing to wait patiently +till the poison with which he had inoculated the people should work +of itself, he flew into a rage like a spoilt child, declaring Rizal +to be a coward and imposing upon Valenzuela, his messenger, implicit +silence on this subject, prohibiting him from manifesting to anyone +what he considered to be the bad exit of the consultation. + +No methods were too underhand for Bonifacio; to gain his end he lied to +the people over whom he held sway as only a Filipino can lie. On one +occasion he affirmed that in Coregidor was a vessel loaded with arms +and ammunition for the rebels, and by this means he animated them, +a very necessary thing at that time, as they were but scantily armed +with bolos and were no match against those they intended to assail. + +Taking him all in all, Bonifacio was a first class organizer for +such an enterprise as that aimed at by the Katipunan, and upon his +shoulders lies the weight of the greater part of the iniquities of +the diabolical society. He ordered the outbreak and in a skillful +manner pulled the strings which worked the figures which formed the +performers in the marionette revolution. He had rivals in the field +however, the most powerful being Aguinaldo, the would be president +of the mushroom republic. After the encounter at San Juan del Monte +in which the insurgents suffered the loss of 95 killed and 42 taken +prisoners in the first instance, and shortly afterwards of 200 more, +Bonifacio escaped, carrying with him the funds of the Katipunan, +some 20,000 pfs. [31] He was supposed to be in hiding in the most +inaccessible parts of the mountains of San Mateo, in as much as he had +told Pio Valenzuela that in case the movement were unsuccessful he had +determined to retire to that point to devote himself to highway robbery +[32], to foot-padding, an idea gotten from some modern French novel +probably. He worked his way eventually into Cavite, and, according to +information gotten from Pedro Gonzalez, he fell into the disfavor of +Aguinaldo who saw his own superiority in danger of being supplanted; +the generalisimo therefore put a price upon his head [33]. A party was +sent in search for the runaway and upon his capture he was subjected +to most brutal treatment, and at last fell a victim to the unprincipled +ambition of the Dictator. + +Had Bonifacio lived he would have made a splendid acquisition to +the Partido Federal, he being a man who could, like many of the +self-asserted leaders of to-day, plan and follow out any double-faced +policy that might be needed under the circumstances. + + + +Note 17. This note not being ready at the time of the printing of the +pages of this section, it has been reserved for note 101, which see. + + + +Note 18. Domingo Franco y Tuason was a native of Mambusao, Province +of Capiz. He was the president of the first junta called by Rizal in +1892 for the formation of the "Liga Filipina". Till that time he was +like many others of the same class almost unknown. + + + +Note 19. The character of the native: this is a subject upon which +one might write many volumes without conveying to the minds of his +readers more than a faint idea of what that strange character is. + +More mysterious than the most profound mystery of Religion, +his most striking trait of character being a decided tendency to +retrogression, the Malay stands out among the numerous divisions of +the human family as a man with a marked propensity to the mysterious, +to the prodigious. He is accustomed to give a blind obedience to +his superiors and more so to his own caciques, he is docile as a +general rule, and shows but little resentment to abusive language, +although he will sometimes carefully guard the remembrance of some +insignificant insult or blow, and take a cruel revenge, a thousand +times greater than the injury he received, after a period, at times, +of years. Other peculiarities of the native are his delight in gambling +and cockfighting, his aversion to manual labor, his infantile but +excessive vanity, his lack of the power of thought in matters of +moment, his well developed imagination, his instability from all points +of view and his liability to complete and radical changes. The average +indian is to-day virtuous, honest and grateful for favors received, +tomorrow he is vicious, thieving and shows an ingratitude not to be +found even in the brute creation. This very marked trait of character +may be found in many of the Filipinos who have held and still hold +some of the highest official positions in the islands. + +To sum up the Filipino indian in a few words: he is inexplicable. There +have been those who have spent their lives in the study of the indian, +but in spite of all that man can do to study man, the problem remains +unsolved. Only those "globe trotters" who have studied the native +from the muchacho who waited upon them at the hotel at which they +stayed during their few days visit, and the cochero who had the honor +of conducting such savants to and from the Luneta, have so far been +able to demonstrate what is this character which has puzzled men of +common sense and lifelong experience, for centuries. + +Being by nature credulous, ignorant and superstitious, the indian fell +an easy victim to the mysteries of freemasonry, which served him as +are introduction to the semi-savage methods of the "Liga Filipina" +and the barbarous practices of the Katipunan, the pacto-de-sangre of +which, carried him back to the savage times of his remote ancestors +who were drawn from their mountain and forest lairs and domesticated +by the Religious Orders. + + + +Notes 20, 21, 22. The initiations, proofs, oaths etc., of Universal +freemasonry were utilized by the Filipino lodges to serve as a +ceremonial, a very essential thing to the success of any association +among orientals. Nothing suited the taste of the Filipino better than +the awe inspiring solemnity of his initiation. These ceremonies however +fell into abuse, and by the time they became utilized by the Katipunan +they had reached the verge of the grossest superstition and absurdity. + + + +Note 23. The G. Cons. Reg. was installed in 1893. A masonic document +bearing a seal "Gr. Consejo Regional de Filipinas. G. Secretaria", +and purporting to be a copy of two paragraphs from a letter of the +illustrious bro. Kupang (Marcelo H. del Pilar) dated from Madrid on +the 17th December 1894, says: "D. Miguel (Morayta) has a very poor +opinion of the Reg. (Regional Council).... He says that this Council +continues working well for some few months, at the end of which all +the enthusiasm of the founders vanishes and.... Oh, if we could only +by our acts give the lie to this pessimism. Morayta was the founder +of the Council. + + + +Note 24. La Solidaridad was the official organ of Filipino freemasonry +in all its branches. Although it was published in the peninsula +its circulation was intended for the Philippines. Its editors were +the leaders of the disaffection against the metropolis and stout +advocates, indirectly, of an impossible independence. The chief +aim of the paper was to mortify everything Spanish, and to this +end its columns were continually full of seditious articles aimed, +not merely at individuals but at the State. Its diatribes against +the Government of the Metropolis were of the bitterest nature, and +therefore but little publicity was given to the sheet in Madrid, +where it was printed. It enjoyed no exchange with the periodicals of +importance of the city, had no street sales, nor was it exposed for +sale publicly. The libraries did not carry it on their tables and it +never reached the hands of the public authorities. In fact the people +of the official element know nothing of its existence. + +In the office of this bi-monthly paper was established a freemason +lodge bearing the same name as the paper; all the members of the +Association Hispano-Filipina became members of the lodge. Being the +organ of masonry as well as of separatism it was introduced into +the Archipelago and secured a free circulation in all parts of the +principal islands where its calumnies against the Religious Orders +had the effect of producing a decided effect upon the maintenance of +public order. + +The statement that the bi-monthly was founded by Pilar is erroneous; +it was first published by Lopez Jaena in Barcelona where it enjoyed +its enforced life till it reached its number 18, of October 1889, +when it suddenly ceased publication on account of the seizure by the +authorities of a number of incriminating documents and pamphlets. It +recommenced publication in Madrid on the 15th of November of the +same year. It was later on acquired by Pilar and Morayta. It was in +reality a vent for the spleen of its writers against Spain and things +Spanish; it was a precursor of the Independencia [34] the official +organ of the Revolution against the U. S., and of the La Democracia +its daughter, the official organ of the Federal Party, the dregs of +the old revolutionary government of Malolos. [35] + + + +Note 25. One of the first propagators of Filipino masonry was +Sr. Centeno, Civil Governor of Manila, a man of anything but happy +memory for this country [36]. Centeno and Quiroga Ballesteros worked +hard to undermine the beneficial influence of the Clergy, an influence +which was the safe-guard of law and order. Their most famous piece of +work was the manifestation of '88 against Archbishop Payo (See note +2). In that manifestation was conceived the cry of sedition which +was later on to ring throughout the archipelago and tear down the +banner of the fatherland to replace it with the red flag of anarchy; +a flag which well nigh brought the people of a would be independent +country to the verge of political and moral destruction. + + + +Note 26. No sooner had Almighty God consummated the grand work of +the creation, the culmination of which was the breathing into man +of an immortal soul, than the devil, the father of evil, jealous of +the attributes given by God to man, made his bold attempt to destroy +God's immortal work. From that moment to this present the spirits +of evil have carried on an unceasing warfare against what has been +for the glory of God. The Monastic Orders ever since the days of +their birth have had to contend against these powers of evil; and +there is therefore little necessity for surprise that those who were +employed in such work as were the unscrupulous persons who came to the +archipelago to sow ruin in the consciences of the people and scandal +in society, should carry on a bitter campaign against the Religious +Orders to whom was owing every jot and tittle of the civilization and +culture enjoyed by the Filipinos. The Monastic Orders have ever been +the bulwark of Christianity, and as such have had to bear the brunt +of the battle. Europe owes the solid foundation of its political, +social and religious life to the Religious Orders, which, during +the ages in which the Huns, Goths and other barbarians overran and +devastated those lands, hoarded up in the nooks and corners of their +monastic dwellings the seed which, when afterwards sown, was to become +the stout tree of civilization which should spread its sheltering +branches to the four corners of the earth. One of these branches +drawing its fullness of life and vigor directly from the trunk, +extended to these far off islands and, casting its shade over the +embruted mankind here existing at that time, wrought a change over +it no less marked than that wrought over the European peoples. From +the day in which Father Urdaneta, that intrepid Augustinian, set +foot upon Philippine soil, till the day upon which the hydra-headed +Katipunan appeared in the land, the Monastic Orders have been the +one great source of all that was really useful and beneficial to the +inhabitants of the archipelago, although at times the moral interests +of the people were not the commercial interests of the country. + +The "friar" so much slandered by those who wish to overthrow his +beneficent influence, ever carried the banner of his country enlaced +with the Cross of the Redeemer. He came to the Archipelago as a +messenger of peace and order, and was the strongest supporter of the +sovereignty of his nation. The "friar" was hated because he was the +one who best knew and understood the indian, and from his intimate +knowledge of his parishioners, could the more easily detect anything +on their part which tended to the detriment of the integrity of the +Spanish sovereignty. + +The campaign against the Religious Orders was the attack of the +battering-rams against the city to be captured. By piercing the +wall the entry into the city could be the easier made; and this the +separatist element well knew, hence all their efforts were directed +against the stout wall which defended from its assaults the treasure +of the metropolis. + +For three hundred years the Philippines remained submitted to Spain +exclusively by reason of the moral influence of the Clergy. Whilst +the banner of Spain, floated over the Archipelago, the Religious +formed the strongest guard for its protection; when it fell, strung +by the ingratitude and treachery of those who had sworn to defend +it to the last drop of their blood, and lay dishonored in the dust, +it was the Religious who bowed his head in the deepest grief and who +shed the bitterest tears. When the flag of the conquerer was hauled up +to the height from which once gloriously floated the symbol of Spanish +authority, the Religious, obedient to the commands of his superiors, +withdrew to the solicitude of his convent, to await in patience, +the passing of the storm. He looks out upon the clouded political +horizon, as Noah looked out from the window of the ark upon the vast +sea of waters which hid from his view the fearful destruction which +had overcome the world, patiently awaiting the time when he should, +at God's will, go forth to commence again the work of reconstruction. + +Often have I heard the opinion expressed that the Government's worst +enemy is the "friar", that it is the "friar" who keeps alive the +spirit of rebellion. Let those who think thus, ponder over one small +thought: what has the friar to gain in sustaining a rebellion which +has caused him more moral and material damage, than has been caused +to any other entity in the Philippines? To those who are able and +willing to utilize the power of thought with which God has endowed +them, it is sufficiently clear that the Religious has nothing to gain +by such tactics, but, on the contrary, all to lose. + +In Spanish times the native enemies of the Religious Orders were the +enemies of Spain and in these days, the enemy of the friar is by no +means a real friend, whatever he may claim to be, of the Government of +of the U. S. The Spanish masons and the Filipino separatists found the +friar to be the greatest obstacle to be encountered. "The friar," wrote +Governor D. Francisco Borrero, to Sr. Canovas, in a memoir concerning +the Archipelago, "knowing the language, spirit, and tendencies of the +natives, is considered as the principal obstacle for the realization +of the filibuster idea, and hence arises their aspiration (that of +the enemies of Spain) that the Religious Orders should be eliminated, +because such a step being taken, they believe they will have travelled +half the journey...." + +The propaganda of Universal freemasonry, of Filipino freemasonry, +of the Liga Filipina, of the Compromisarios, was aimed principally at +the Religious Orders, but the results attained were but introductory +to the real work of the Katipunan, which, finding itself cornered by +the discovery of the plot it had concocted against the Government, +showed its hand. Its aim was anti-Spanish and not merely anti-friar, +as is sufficiently clear from the fact that in all the documents of +the diabolical association it is death to all the Spaniards, and not +to this or that class. Moreover in many cases the same Katipuneros +saved their parish priests from a sure death whilst they dealt out +anything but kind treatment to those of the Civil Guard (Filipinos) +and the Spanish troops who fell into their hands. The friars who were +murdered by the rebels were not murdered for being friars but because +they were Spaniards. The documents captured, the result of the trials +held in judgement of persons guilty of treason, show clearly that the +revolution was for the purpose of gaining the independence of the +country from Spain, and not merely to bring about the expulsion of +the Religious Orders. Aguinaldo, the leader of the Katipunan hordes, +desired to send the friars who fell prisoners into his hands, over +to Hong-Kong, where they would be at liberty to return to their own +country; but this merciful desire of his was overruled by his advisers, +among whom were numbered Mabini his right hand man, Pardo de Tavera, +Legarda and Buencamino, all three of them traitors to the cause of +independence. To-day they stand in positions of honor, honor which +they have done nothing to deserve, whilst Aguinaldo who was the tool +of political schemers, their play-thing, is cast into disgrace and +kept in the background, a scape-goat for the sins and shortcomings +of men whose names disgrace the darkest pages of Philippine history. + + + +Note 27. Vast numbers of these documents were later on destroyed in +the hope that certain affairs of an anti-patriotic nature might be +hushed up, and many persons of a high official standing saved from +scandal. Padre Mariano Gil, O. S. A., who made known to the public +authorities the fearful plot of the Katipunan in time to prevent the +brutal murder of hundreds of Spaniards, was granted certified copies +of a large number (all the principal ones) of the documents and these +have been since preserved with the greatest care, and remain to-day +as a standing proof of the duplicity of many persons who live in +ignorance of the fact of the existence of the said certified copies. + + + +Note 28. The element here spoken of was the Filipino colony (all of +them separatists) and Morayta the "papa" of the said Filipinos of +separatist tendencies. + + + +Note 29. This committee, although not exclusively masonic, was +essentially revolutionary, and had for its duty the distribution of +works of propaganda. Its delegate in Europe was Marcelo H. del Pilar. + + + +Note 30. See note 26. The campaign at this present carried on by some +of the filipino and Spanish papers, and, in contradiction to the +fundamental principles of Americanism, by the local American press +also, is but a sequel to the work of this committee of propaganda. The +calumnies which are literally crammed into the columns of Manila's +English speaking daily and weekly press are but a poor reproduction of +the vicious publications distributed throughout the archipelago since +the year 1888. For fourteen years have these calumnies been published, +but in spite of countless challenges, never have the statements +brought forward been backed up with even the shadow of proof. When +almighty God completed his creation by the making of man and woman, +he led them to Eden, placing them under his law. Then it was that the +devil beguiled them with lying words: "For God doth know that in that +day that you shall eat thereof (of the forbidden fruit) your eyes shall +be opened, and you shall be as Gods knowing good and evil." From that +day to this, this same argument that the devil used to try to prove +that God was withholding from the people what was to their benefit, +is being to-day used by certain of the offspring of that evil spirit +against the element of good, against the Religious Orders, the servants +of God, claiming that they held from the people of this Archipelago +that which was for their good and advancement. Adam and Eve found +to their bitter cost that the devil lied: those who are to-day being +misled by anti-friar calumny will make the same discovery in due time. + + + +Note 31. This statement is erroneous. The opinion of the author was +formed from statements made by those charged with treason. Many of +those under this charge gave false testimony, as was later on proved, +and in that testimony implicated honorable Filipinos who had never +harbored such ideas in their hearts as those they were accused of. Many +of the wealthy element of Luzon and other islands of the group, were +forced by threats and compromises into position they had no desire to +occupy. Of these the great majority were either insular Spaniards, that +is sons of Spanish parents, but born in the Philippines, or they were +Spanish mestizos or indians. Some 90% of the wealthy revolutionists +were Chinese half-castes. + + + +Note 32. And at what a cost! Think of the thousands of hard earned +dollars which went to swell the funds gathered to feed and clothe and +to satisfy the fads and fancies of those exploiters. And what has +the poor indian who provided the money gained in the deal? Four or +five years of bloodshed and disaster he has surely gained; but what +is of more importance to him is that he barely escaped falling into +the hands of his own countrymen! He fell out of the frying-pan and +almost fell into the fire! + + + +Note 33. The aspirations of the association were, to say the least, +anti-patriotic; they were always underhand; they were the aspirations +of the "Liga", of the "Compromisarios" and of the Katipunan. + + + +Note 34. "In the following year, Pedro Serrano arrived from Spain and +then was masonry introduced into the Philippines, the first lodge +instituted being the "Nilad" [37] its first Venerable being Jose +Ramos." Testimony of Moises Salvador y Francisco (fol. 1,138 to 1,143). + +According to the testimony of Antonio Salazar (fol. 1,118 to 1,129) +"In 1892 Pedro Serrano came from Spain and in union with Jose Ramos +joined a lodge of peninsular Spaniards, and commenced the propaganda +of masonry exclusively among Filipinos, in a short time establishing +the mother lodge known as the Nilad ... the number of members becoming +excessive, other lodges were established in the suburbs...." + +Into this lodge Nilad or the lodges formed therefrom, passed all the +members of the committee of propaganda and of the local delegations, +the work of the propaganda of masonry and that of separatism being +carried on in the same lodge room. The plea that masonry had no +connection with the Katipunan fails to stand good in face of this +testimony, added to which may be mentioned letters of M. del Pilar +to La Modestia concerning the organization and labors of separatism; +as well as other letters, rich in masonic jargon, to the lodges and +to individuals connected with the double work of propagating masonry +and spreading among the people ideas of the basest of ingratitude. + +To the lodge Nilad, the Gr. Sec. of the Gr. Or. Esp. wrote from Madrid, +June 8th 1892: + + + AL. G. D. G. A. D. U. + Liberty.--Equality.--Fraternity. + Universal Freemasonry. Spanish Family. + + The Resp. Log. Nilad, No. 144 of A. L. and A. masons of the + Philippines regularly constituted in the Federation of the + Gr. Or. Espanol (seat in Madrid). + + + +The letter goes on to speak of the new foundation and the number +of initiations. + +"It pleases us much," says the Gr. Sec. "to see the activity and zeal +which you employ in the labors, and for it we greet you. Nevertheless, +we must remind you always of the greatest care in the election of the +laborers. Not all men, although they profess our ideas and doctrines, +serve for good masons,..." + +Morayta, writing on the 12th of June 1892 to bro. Panday Pira, says: +"... But do not forget an advice which I believe Ruiz gave you also: +be very careful; do not open your arms to any except they be of full +confidence.... Remember that, even though things have changed there (in +the Philippines) you run all the danger consequent upon the domination +(sic) of the friar and of the General." The general was Despujols, +an upright, honest and sincere man who was too apt to measure other +people's corn by his own bushel. The filibusters took advantage of +the fact, and by their lying protests of love for Spain, captivated +him and fooled him out and out for a time. + + + +Note 35. At that time liberty of association was not allowed by law in +the Archipelago. To attain their ends this was the thing most necessary +for the separatists. Without the shelter of the law of association +nothing could be done except by stealth. It was for want of this +privilege that the shelter of the masonic lodge room was sought. + + + +Note 36. Blumentritt, Fernando; of German race, Austrian by +nationality, resident in Bohemia and therefore spoken of by +various writers sometimes as a German, at others as a Bohemian or +an Austrian. Like Foreman [38], Blumentritt claimed to be a fervent +Catholic and yet was an open enemy of the Church. He claimed moreover +to be a great friend of Spain and yet openly sided with her enemies. He +was one of the collaborators of the La Solidaridad. + +Isabelo de los Reyes writes of him: "The savant (sic) Blumentritt the +brother of the Filipinos, has always served us with disinterest (except +in what concerned his pocket) and opportuneness. He was the first who +did us justice by publishing many valuable articles to demonstrate, +under all points of view, the superiority of the Filipino (Isabelo +does not say over what) and defending our cause against the ambition +of the imperialists (that is the Spaniards)." + +Blumentritt was a member of the society known as the "Amigos del Pais" +[39], and remained so till his actions and writings caused well +thinking Spaniards and Philippinos [40] to call for his dismissal +from its membership. The patriotic outcry against him caused him to +resign on the 14th of November 1889; the Solidaridad of the 31st of +December of the same year published his resignation. The press of +Manila was exceptionally bitter against him and only such Filipinos +as those who continue up to the present time forming part of the +juntas in Hong-Kong, Madrid, Paris, London and other places looked +up to him for the assistance they could not find at home. + + + +Note 37. It was naturally in the Peninsula where the chief work of +the propaganda had to be carried on, and it was there also that the +propaganda had the least effect. The principal instrument for the +dissemination of the seed of separatist aspirations was the Solidaridad +(See note 24). The Filipinos here, who gave their subscriptions and +other sums of money for the support of the bi-monthly, were kept +under the impression that the official organ was making a great +noise in Madrid; but as it never reached the official world it was +supposed to influence, its publication was practically useless. In +the Philippines it served the same purpose as the La Independencia: +that is, it served to keep alive the spirit of unrest, and by the +lies it published, made the people believe that their leaders were +going to lead them to a promised land which "flowed with milk and +honey." They eventually got into the promised land, only to find that +the milk was very much "condensed", and that the honey was only to be +got after those who secured it had been exposed to the very unpleasant +operation of being stung by the bees which produced it. + +Instead of serving to keep together the subjects and their rulers +in a bond of peace and tranquility, and helping them to come to a +mutual understanding, in which state the progress and advancement +of the islands and their inhabitants could be the easier and the +better accomplished, the separatist element, by their propaganda, +caused more and more strife by attacking national institutions +and by casting slurs upon national honor. The discontent stirred +up against the Spanish authorities was identical to that which, +until the passing of the law of sedition and even since that time, +was stirred up against the American sovereignty. In its propaganda +against the Religious Orders, inciting the native clergy against the +lawful authority of their Bishops, it was the precursor of modern +Manila's American press. History tells us what was the result of the +lessening of the moral influence of the Religious Orders in the days +of Spanish rule, and to-day History repeats itself. The inciting of +the native clergy against their Bishops is encouraging the natives, +as a whole, to resist lawful authority. The cry to-day is "down with +the friar," tomorrow it will be "down with the American." In 1888 it +was down with the Religious Orders, in 1896 it had become "death to +all Spaniards". In 1898 the American was blessed as a deliverer from +oppression, in 1899 cursed as an intruder. To-day...? Who knows the +opinion of the people? Who but a few ignorantes trust the great men +of the late revolution? + +In Spain the work of the separatists produced no effect upon the +people; a few here and there of the least patriotic of the scum of +Barcelona and Madrid aided them but apart from these and the Bible +Societies, no one interested themselves in their cause. + + + +Note 39. From the earliest to the latest days of the period of the +revolt, that is from '88 to '98, this was one of the greatest obstacles +to be overcome. Money was collected for propaganda in Spain and in +Japan; what became of it all? Money was collected for the purpose +of releasing or stealing away Rizal; what became of it? Funds were +collected for the purchase of rifles and ammunition for the Katipunan, +and, at the last moment, Andres Bonifacio fled with some 20,000 +pesos. This continual squabble over the administration of the funds +is a proof clear enough, of the existence of organized exploiters +whose pockets were of more concern to them than were the interests +of their country. + + + +Note 40. It is almost needless to say that this latter was in the +minority; later on Pilar suffered a marked change of temperament +and became more decidedly separatist than Rizal. Rizal was willing +to give the goose a chance to lay her golden eggs; Pilar becoming +impatient killed the goose with the scheme of the Katipunan. + + + +Note 41. "Previous to his return to Manila Rizal lived some time in +Hong-Kong. From there he forwarded to Moises Salvador Francisco the +statutes and instructions for the "Liga Filipina"."--Testimony of +the said Francisco. (fols. 1,138-1,143.) + + + +Note 42. "It resulting that after some years of voluntary expatriation +... a Spanish citizen (Rizal) born in the Philippines, directed a +first letter, dated some months back in Hong-Kong, to the superior +Authorities, offering his aid and assistance for the better government +and progress of the Philippines, at the same time in which his latest +book commenced circulation, for which reason no reply was given; and in +a second letter dated in the month of May, in which, recognizing the +policy of generous attraction, of morality and justice here implanted +... announced his intention of returning to his native soil to dispose, +together with his friends, of the property they possessed, and to +go with their families to found, in Borneo, a filipino agricultural +colony under English protection...." + +"A few days afterwards, the Spanish citizen ... disembarked with his +sister in Manila...." (See also note 8.) Extracts from the Decree of +Deportation issued against Rizal by Governor Despujols, 7th July 1892. + + + +Note 43. "In the year 1892, Rizal being in Manila, recently arrived +from Europe, several people of the country were gathered together, +among them Andres Bonifacio, Numeriano Adriano, Timoteo Paez and +Estanislao Legaspi, in a wooden house in calle Dulumbayan, were +a society known as the "Liga Filipina" was founded." Testimony of +Valentin Diaz, native of Panay, Ilocos Norte. + +"In May or June 1892 Jose Rizal reached Manila; and encharged by +him, Paez and Serrano invited a large number of persons to gather +on a certain day ... in the house of Doroteo Ongjungco where Rizal +manifested to those present, among whom was the witness, that it was +necessary to form an association which should be called the "Liga +Filipina", the object and of which should be the attainment of the +separation of these islands from Spain." Moises Salvador y Francisco +(fols. 1,296-1,299). + +"The reunion was called by Rizal, and the witness was invited +by Timoteo Paez, who conducted him to the house of Doroteo +Ongjungco.... That Jose Rizal addressed those present, manifesting +the convenience of establishing an association under the name of the +"Liga Filipina" with the object of collecting funds by different +means, to the end of securing opportunely the independence of these +islands".... Testimony of Domingo Franco y Tuason (fols. 1299-1303). + + + +Note 44. It was not the aim which Rizal had in his mind, of delivering +his country from disabilities but the manner in which he set to work to +accomplish that end, to which objection must be raised. When a people +suffer under the oppression of its rulers, all the world admires the +man who rises to throw off the hateful yoke. But when the oppression is +imaginary and when the so-called hero is but a marionette in the hands +of political schemers who seek their own advantage under the shelter +of a pretence to throw off a yoke which does not exist, one cannot +admire the part played by the deluded "tool". The emancipation from +the mother-country was the key-note of the revolt. It was the aim of +the Filipino freemasons, of the Liga Filipina, of the Compromisarios +and of the Katipunan. + + + +Note 45. Rizal was deported to Dapitan, in the island of Mindanao, +by decree of Governor Despujols, part of which has been quoted in +note 42. The decree goes on to say that, by reason of the fact that +"the veil under which, up this present, he has succeeded in hiding his +true intentions has been torn asunder," ... "that he adduces no other +defence but useless denials, having recourse to throwing the blame +of the discovery of the leaflets upon his own sister (see page 99)...." + +"In fulfillment of the high duties which devolve upon me as your +General and Vice Royal Patron ... I decree the following:..." + +"1st: that Jose Rizal shall be deported to one of the islands of +the south...." + +"The responsibility of these vigorous measures which a painful duty +imposes upon me, falls entirely upon those who by their imprudent +aims and ungrateful proceedings come to disturb the paternal cares +of this general government making the ordinate march of Philippine +progress the more difficult." [41] + +"Manila, 7th July 1892.--Despujols. + + + +Note 46. "In the month of April 1893, upon the initiative and +invitation Juan Zulueta, now dead, and of Deodato Arellano, cousin +of Marcelo del Pilar, a new gathering was called in the house of +Deodato Arellano, with the object of establishing anew the Liga +Filipina under the same bases and for the same ends...." + + + +Note 47. The determinate ends of the separatists have already been +spoken of in note 3, which see. + + + +Note 48. See note 102. + + + +Note 49. "The object of the society (the Liga) is the establishment +of shops, workshops, businesses, industries and even a bank if +possible, with the end in view of collecting funds for an armed +rising."--Testimony of Juan Dizon Matanza, (fols. 1,132-1,138.) + + + +Note 50. The ceremonies practiced by the Liga differed but little from +those practiced by the Katipunan. The chief difference lay in the fact +that the ceremonial of the Katipunan partook more of the grotesque, +of the absurd, of paganism. + +Pio Valenzuela in recounting the forms and ceremonies practiced upon +his initiation, said: + +"Once in the house [42], they spoke of many things, en resume, +that the aim of the association was to obtain the independence of +the Philippines, oppressed and enslaved by the Spaniards. Placing, +later on, a dagger at his breast, they obliged him to throw himself +upon it, a thing which the witness could not pluck up courage enough +to do; whereupon they placed it in his hand, leading him to a man +whom he recognized to be seated, and ordered him (the witness) to +strike him with the dagger, a thing which he dare not do either. He +was then conducted into a room and addressed by a person he knew +to be Bonifacio by the voice, who informed him that he could not +retrace his steps because he knew of the existence of the society, +but he could not assist at the juntas nor could they teach him the +signs of recognition till he had been re-initiated; they moreover +made him sign two sheets of blank paper, causing him to swear never +to reveal the existence of the society to anyone, under the pain of +assassination. They then removed the bandage which he was blindfolded +and he saw around him eight or nine individuals dressed in cloaks and +hoods; he signed the two sheets of paper and was again blindfolded +and conducted to a considerable distance from the house where the +bandage was again removed. + +Another member of the Katipunan in his declaration made on the 22nd +of September 1896, stated that during the month of February 1893, one +Sunday morning, a certain Estanislao Legaspi entered his store, telling +him to accompany him in a calesa. He listened to tirades against +the Spanish Government till their arrival at the house of a certain +Tranquilino Torres, in calle Elcano. Here "his eyes were bandaged by +Legaspi and he was handed over to the care of another individual who +conducted him to the upper story of the house and made him sit down; +he then heard a person whom he knew to be Legaspi by his voice speak, +saying several things against the Spanish Government, demanding of him +an oath of blind obedience, and a defense of the Philippines till the +shedding of the last drop of his blood, threatening him with fearful +punishments if he should turn traitor. This ceremony being terminated, +his eyes were unbound and he saw, on a table, a skull which they +made him kiss, and Legaspi handed him a lance commanding him to wound +himself in the arm; but he felt a feeling of faintheartedness come over +him, and manifested to those present that he had not courage enough +to wound himself and wished that the oath he had taken be enough; +he was dispensed from the operation. When the bandage was removed the +eight individuals composing the junta were masked with black hoods, but +after he kissed the skull and attempted to wound himself they removed +the hoods and he then recognized Estanislao Legaspi who presided, +Mariano de Vera, Teodoro Plata and Juan de la Cruz who was a clerk +of the Tabacalera, and who had led him upstairs; he did not know the +other three. The witness paid two pesos as entrance fee promising +to pay 50 cents monthly. He asked Legaspi what association it was, +and he replied that it was the Liga Filipina." + +In the daily report of the secret police department made to General +Blanco on the 30th of June 1896, is the following notice: + +"Herewith is given translated most faithfully from Tagalog, the +result of an interview held with a well-to-do indian who belonged to +the most popular of the masonic lodges, who tried to draw into it a +friend. Questioned upon certain affairs, he said: "In the masonic +lodges of San Juan del Monte and of Pandacan, the whole pueblo, +rich and poor, is inscribed." + +"In the reunions the brethren attend blind-folded, and the chiefs +with the face covered." + +"The person who desires to enter the lodge is obliged to have his +face covered and his eyes bandaged in sign of blind obedience; the +proofs are carried out and signature made as follows. The person +receiving the initiated takes a dagger and gives it to him saying to +him: do you swear to be steel like that which you hold in your hand +and not to bend in the exigencies which oppress and vex us, and to +labor in pro of the independence of your enslaved country? I swear +answers the person to be initiated. Do you swear not to have father, +mother, wife, child nor any relative but the revenging arm which shall +sleep and live with you? I swear. They then surround him with arms +of all classes and say to him: here is thy family, thy only work, +and may it give thee thy life and open thy eyes for thy good of the +country. They then make a small incision in the form of a cross in +the right arm near the shoulder." + +"At present our meetings are held at night and in the most lonely +fields, with the object of not being surprised." +................................................................... + +"It is well known among us masons that Rizal is attributed with the +faculty of being able to translate his person instantaneously from +one point to another." +................................................................... + + + +Note 51. Juan Castaneda testified on the 21st of September 1896 before +the Chief Inspector of the Corps of Vigilance that "he was recommended +to make the greatest amount of propaganda possible, of Japanese ideas +in the pueblo of Imus." The Japanese ideas here spoken of were those +of the foundation of the Japanese protectorate. + + + +Note 52. Money! money!! money!!! was the great cry in the majority of +the masonic correspondence between the workers in Spain and those who +had to supply the funds here. On the 8th of June 1892 Morayta wrote +to bro. Panday-Pira informing him (a favorite custom of Morayta's) +that what was wanted was "money to invite journalists (to dine or +take a drink) and to pay articles in the papers." Morayta, probably +with tears in his eyes, in ending his letter, heaves a sigh, whilst +his fingers itching for the touch of gold, nervously clutch the pen +which scrawls these words: "if we only had here a good administrator +with funds then you would see how we should advance!" + +On the 22nd of June 1892 the secretary of the Gr. Or. Esp. wrote to +the same explaining how "in a few meetings, a couple of banquets and +a few presents made at the right time" much could be accomplished. + + + +Note 53. Rizal had money troubles previously with Pilar in Madrid +(see note 39). The excessive earnest and zeal displayed at the +time of the foundation of the Liga by Rizal died away on his +deportation. This zeal was owing to the captivating manner in which +the founder demonstrated to his audience the brilliant future to be +attained by such an undertaking. Rizal had the advantage of a ready +oratory and like Bonifacio, drew his hearers to his cause in spite of +themselves. And then again, the same as in masonry, the association +was secret, and its true end and aim were but whispered; and whilst +many of the associated were laboring to assist, as they thought, in +the fomentation of the culture and advancement of the country, they +were in reality playing with the toy allotted to them by the society, +whilst the chief members, those members best suited to be masons, +as says the Gr. Sec. of the Gr. Or. Esp. [43], carried on the true +work of the Liga. As in the lower degrees of any secret society, +and of masonry in particular, the members are unaware of what is +aimed at in the degrees to which they have not attained, to which +all cannot attain, and the secrets of which are zealously guarded, +so it was in the Liga. + +Upon its re-establishment the Liga counted among its members several +who aimed at the leadership. The absence of Rizal, deported to Dapitan, +left open the door for unbridled ambition. Everyone wanted to be the +head. This together with money troubles brought about considerable ill +feeling between the absent founder and those continuing the work of the +association. Rizal had so far kept up a continual secret communication +with the Liga, thanks to the liberty allowed him by his keepers in +Mindanao, who guarded him with scandalous carelessness; and thanks also +to the emissaries sent to him from Manila in search of instructions +and advice. The result of the ill-feeling thus brought about was the +rupture in official relations between the Liga and its founder. + + + +Note 54. See note 39. + + + +Note 55. One of the facts clearly developed in the trials of +those suspected of treason, was that the guilty ones had taken the +utmost care not to leave behind them traces of their work. This was +principally the case with Rizal and the other chief workers of the +revolt, and of those who formed the association of Compromisarios. + + + +Note 56. Both Pedro and Francisco Roxas were honorary councillors of +the Administration. On the 19th of September 1896 Blanco published +the following decrees: + +"In as much as Sr. D. Francisco Roxas, honorary councillor of the +Administration is found under process in the courts of law: in the +use of the faculties in me invested, I decree that he cease from the +exercise of his functions etc., etc." + +And on the 30th of September the following: + +"In as much as the Excellent Sr. D. Pedro P. Roxas, honorary councillor +of the Administration has been found under process in the courts of +law, for rebellion; in the use of my faculties, etc., etc." + +Moises Salvador y Francisco testified (fols. 1138-1143) that "among +the persons who sympathised with the cause and who aided it with +their means for its realization, he remembered D. Pedro Roxas and +D. Francisco Roxas ... (and others); and there existed in the provinces +others whose names he could not remember." + +Domingo Franco y Tuason testified on the 30th of September 1896 +(fols. 1332-1337) that "in another of the several interviews he +had with Francisco L. Roxas, he asked him if in the circle of his +relations (with the association) he counted with persons who had +offered to aid the objects and ends of the Liga. Sr. Roxas replied: +Yes. And in proof thereof he drew from a drawer in his desk a record +which he read, and among the names he read the witness remembered +those of don P. Roxas and others." + +When Francisco Roxas found himself in danger of arrest, he attempted +to flee to Hong-Kong, but was captured on board the ship which was to +carry him there. From the ship he was conducted under arrest to the +Comendancia of the Veterana where he remained several days, at the +end of which he was transferred to the Fort of Santiago. + +Francisco was a millionaire who had received from Spain a name and +reputation superior to his personal merits, and yet in spite of +all that the mother-country had done for him in raising him up to a +position to which he could never have attained without her aid, he was +found to have placed himself in the vanguard of the bitterest enemies +of his country. He was the director of the workings of separatism +and was the chief provider of arms for the revolt, as was testified +by innumerable witnesses. [44] + +On the eve of his execution for treason Francisco penned the following +abjuration: + +"I, Francisco L. Roxas, on the eve of my death, in reparation for what +in my words and actions may have offended my neighbor; for warning +of others of my person and in order to satisfy my conscience, to the +end that no one, and especially my children, fall into the net of +freemasonry, or of any other secret society, all of which I detest +and curse, and be not in a day to come ungrateful sons of our Mother +Spain, beg pardon for all my faults and bad example." + +"I die in the Holy Roman Catholic Apostolic faith in which I was born +and educated in a christian manner. I admit all that she admits and +condemn all that she condemns." + +"This I sign with my own hand with entire liberty." + +Jany. 10th 1897 in Manila, Royal Fort of +Santiago.--F. L. Roxas:--Witnesses: Antonio Pardo and Felix Garcia. + +On January 11th Gov. Gen. Polavieja telegraphed to Madrid as follows: + +"Sentenced by council of War, to-day there have been executed (shot) +twelve persons guilty of treason ... among them Francisco Roxas, +Councillor of Administration; Nijaga, Lieut. of native infantry; +Villaroel, Villareal, Moises Salvador and others." + + + +Pedro Roxas was also a millionaire who inherited a good fortune, which, +under the shelter of official protection multiplied considerably. Spain +honored him with the grand cross of Isabela la Catolica. Like Francisco +he was a Councillor of Administration. He possessed a large estate +in Nasugbu which, when the revolt broke out, became an insurgent +hornet's nest. There the rebels had a cannon, three falconettes and +a large number of arms. + +After having been deprived of his office by decree previously +mentioned, Pedro Roxas secured in some way or other from Blanco, +permission to go to Spain. On arrival at Singapore he landed and +remained there. Later on he was defended in the Spanish Cortes by +Sr. Romero Robledo [45]. In Manila, to those who could judge of +the facts on the spot, this defence came as a thunderbolt. However, +the Spanish paper El Correo in the issue of August 15th said: + +"The conduct of Sr. Roxas results satisfactorily cleared, so that +no doubt remains in respect to his complete disconnection with the +revolt." + +Among the separatist element Pedro Roxas was known as the Emperor +Pedro I. + + + +Note 57. Maximo M. A. Paterno was the father of the well known Pedro +Paterno. Maximo was in his latter days the leading spirit of the +celebrations held in honor of the amnesty proclaimed in 1900, by the +late President McKinley. He died at the age of 76, just before the +celebrations took place. + +This amnesty celebration, like most things attempted by Filipinos +alone, turned but a fiasco, the speeches which were to be delivered +on the occasion not being in any way in keeping with the oath +of allegiance taken by the speakers. The speeches contemplated +were in advocation of practically the same thing as that for which +the rebels had been keeping up an armed struggle, and so, when the +U. S. Commission was invited by Pedro Paterno to be present thereat, +it naturally was unable to accept the invitation. + +The whole celebration was an abortive attempt on the part of its +organizers to antagonize the Military and Civil authorities. Mr. Taft, +as president of the Commission, at first accepted the invitation +extended, supposing the speeches to be given, had been censored by +the proper authorities, at that time the military; but on finding that +this was not so, he declined in the name of the other members of the +Commission, and thus avoided the unpleasantness of being present at +a banquet at which both the Military and the Civil authorities would +be insulted and the Government of the U. S. defied. + +On the 28th of July 1900, the day of the banquet, Mr. Taft on behalf +of his fellow Commissioners, addressed a letter to Pedro Paterno on +the subject. See Appendix J. + +Pedro Paterno was one of those who for a considerable time refused +to take the oath of allegiance; with him were others, Mabini in +particular. + +Maximo Paterno had received from Spain the Cross of Knight of the +Royal and American Order of Isabela La Catolica. + + + +Note 58. And others: Among the names mentioned in many of the documents +I have consulted on the subject of the trials of those guilty of +treason, I have frequently come across those of Linjap (Mariano), +Chidian (Telesforo), Yangco (Luis R.), and others. Of this latter +Domingo Franco was asked during his trial, if Luis R. Yangco had +assisted at any reunion of the compromisarios, to which he replied +that he (Yangco) had not assisted at any session (fols. 1381-1382). + +As I have already remarked in another note, many of those charged +with complicity in the affairs of the revolt were latter on proved +to be innocent. That considerable number of the wealthy natives +and half-castes sympathised more or less with the idea of greater +liberality in government, is undoubtedly true, but that they extended +their sympathies to the aims of the hordes of cut-throats led by +Bonifacio is absurd. + +The leading Filipinos and many insular Spaniards sighed for privileges +which the Government of Madrid did not deem well to concede. To bring +pressure upon the Government some of these combined to support in +the metropolis, some of their number who should keep up the work of +agitation. This agitation however took a form displeasing to many, +who thereupon ceased to lend it their aid and consent. But few of the +leaders of the people, especially of the wealthy ones, desired to +cut themselves adrift from Spain, and not till a few insignificant +beings such as Aguinaldo, Bonifacio, Mabini, and Pilar (Pio del) +and Buencamino came upon the scene did the idea of independence +of the island really take form. A faint idea of such a thing as +independence did exist formerly, but the enlightened Filipinos saw, +only too clearly, the probable result. + +The wealthy proprietors here cited, no doubt sympathised more or +less with the Liga Filipina in its beginning, whilst it was under +the complete control of its founder Rizal; but as the Liga lost the +character given to it by Rizal, and underwent the change it did, +it is only natural to suppose that many of its former supporters +left it as they would a sinking ship. However the fact that they +were identified with the original Liga seems to have been taken as +a proof of their connection with the revolt. This is certainly the +opinion expressed by Sr. Diaz. + + + +Note 59. Mactan is the name of the island upon which Magallanes, the +famous explorer, met his death at the hands of the savage hordes who +at that time peopled the land. Names of places and persons associated +with the disasters suffered by Spain, were greatly admired among the +separatists. Surely Mactan, an island peopled by savages at the time +of its chief notoriety, and Mayon, the site of a destructive volcano, +are very suitable names to give to such centers as were the popular +councils of Trozo and Sta. Cruz. + + + +Note 60. On the 30th of August 1895, the Civil Governor of Batangas +asked of the commander of the Guardia Civil of Lemery, information +concerning "persons in the pueblo of Taal who were distinguished +for their separatists opinions". The said commander replied that a +report on all such persons would be unending, and proceeded to cite +the case of Felipe Agoncillo to personify the said separatist element, +as follows: + +"Among the group of the chief ones and as chief of them, stands +Felipe Agoncillo, proprietor and lawyer." He then goes on to explain +how Agoncillo imposed his will upon every one in the pueblo, even +upon the Municipality, no law or regulation sent even by the highest +authorities going into force until it had been passed upon by him. "It +would be difficult," says he, "for me to collect any perfect proof of +his anti-Spanish tendencies which are, however, self-evident to the +Spanish element of this province." This report, which was a sufficient +warning of danger, was sent to the Gov. of Batangas on the 18th of +September 1895. He immediately forwarded it to Gen. Blanco. About +three months afterwards Blanco looked into the matter, circumstances +demanding that some steps should be taken to preserve national honor; +and he decided to deport six of the separatists as an example to +the remainder. Of these six one was Agoncillo. This industrious +filibuster had influential and watchful friends in Manila, who, +upon seeing the turn things were taking, telegraphed him "Cafe en +baja; fuera existencias." This was warning sufficient and Agoncillo +accompanied by Ramon Atienza succeeded in escaping. + +On the 14th of April the Japanese Mail Steamer Hiorine left Manila. On +this steamer Agoncillo fled, hidden it is said, in a coal bunk. The +Heraldo de Madrid of the 16th of September 1896, in speaking of the +affair says: "Agoncillo gave the captain of the ship the sum of 350 +pesos as gratification and on this account had placed at his disposal +upon arrival at Kobe, a ship's boat, whilst the remaining passengers +had to hire their transportation." + +On the 2nd of May 1896, the secret police of Manila reported to +Gen. Blanco, as follows: + +"Notice is hereby given of the sailing for Japan of Felipe Agoncillo, +property-owner of the province of Batangas, who goes to put himself +at the disposition of the junta magna (in Japan), carrying with him +some 80,000 pesos collected in Lipa, Taal and other pueblos, for the +sustainment of anti-Spanish propaganda." + +Like most of the leaders of the separatist campaign, Agoncillo was +astute. He partook of that peculiar trait of the native character: a +sharpness of perception, a cuteness which one not acquainted with the +indian would take for intelligence. An Indian will often do something +remarkable, but in spite of its appearance of being an extraordinary +action, a result of a well thought out plan, it proceeds in ninety-nine +cases out of a hundred, from instinct rather from intelligence. Native +peoples are more accustomed to use their common-sense than most of us +and hence arises the fact, that frequently the Filipino has outwitted +both the military and the civil authorities. England learned this +lesson in dealing with the Oriental in India, Spain learned it here, +and America has yet to discover the same truth. + +Mr. Wildman [46], the late U. S. Consul at Hong-Kong, once affirmed of +Agoncillo, "Sr. Agoncillo is a very intelligent and daring diplomat +(the Government later on found him to be far more daring than +intelligent), and could fill the position of chief of any department +of State in any civilized country." But then, it was nothing strange +for Wildman to make such breaks! + + + +Note 61. Among these honorable exceptions which Sr. Diaz says he has +great pleasure in recognizing, might be mentioned several who were +falsely accused and whose names have gone down to the reading public +in the works of various writers who wrote in good faith, branded with +the mark of ingratitude which characterized and still characterizes +so many natives and half-castes. + +It gives a careful student of the subject more than passing pleasure to +be able to give the lie to those who in their testimony classified as +members of the infernal plot to "cut the throats of every Spaniard, +without regard even to parentage", the names of some of the most +prominent Filipinos of to-day, men who although they have not grovelled +in the dust before the conqueror and accepted positions under the new +Government, are more truly prominent than those who assert themselves +as the "leaders" of the people. + +Among these honorable exceptions there were many who although they came +to form part of the so-called Revolutionary Government, did so only +when Spanish rule had ceased to exist, and when the accepted opinion +was that a government elected by the people would be recognized by +the U. S. These, however, were never traitors to the mother country; +they were men who treated Spain as every honorable man should treat his +country. These were not men who changed their religion as they changed +their clothes: to suit the occasion. They were not men who concealed +their titles to freemason degrees, at the bottom of their trunks, +and exposed them with pride upon the change of sovereignty. These men +were never perjurers, never traitors. Born and raised in the bosom of +the Catholic faith they remained faithful to it, and faithful to the +traditions of the country which gave them their political being; and +it is with great pleasure that, with Sr. Diaz, I also can say, that +I have great pleasure in recognizing these honorable exceptions, and +in proof thereof have I dedicated this small historical sketch to them. + + + +Note 62. Day by day the morality in the administration of the funds +became worse, and so intense did the ill-feeling engendered by pride +become, that the members forgot all about the fomentation of the +culture and advancement of the country. Like a nursery full of willful +children, they all wanted their own way, and when they could not have +it, some cried: "now I shan't play," "now I'll go and tell ma;" this +perhaps was the chief cause of the dissolution of the association, +for some did go and tell "ma;" and the wealthy members, and those who +had anything to lose, were immediately overcome with abject fear lest +"ma" should punish them with a good spanking. + +"In the month of October 1893, the Superior Council becoming +aware that some documents pertaining, to the Liga had been handed +over to the offices of the General Government, the dissolution +of the society was determined."--Testimony of Domingo Franco y +Tuason. (fols. 1,299-1,303). + +On the 25th of May 1896, notice was given by the secret police to +Governor General Blanco, as follows: + +"Notice is herewith given of the existence in Manila, of a Society +named La Liga Filipina, to which are affiliated a large number of +individuals...." + + + +Note 63. The testimony given by many of the political prisoners as +to the foundation, aims and work of the Compromisarios is somewhat +conflicting. For instance: Antonio Salazar, (fols. 1,008-1,013) +testified that on account of the mal-administration of the funds, +"the subscription on behalf of La Propaganda ceased, and under +the name of Compromisarios was founded an association composed of +... (here follow names of members), and seeing that they could not +gather sufficient funds, they agreed to increase the subscription +and seek persons to associate with them." + +On another occasion the same witness testified (fols. 1,014-1,018) that +certain persons whom he named were the "Compromisarios, who were in +communion with Marcelo (del Pilar), and who remitted money to him." He +also stated that "on account of the bad conduct observed in Madrid by +Pilar, ... some of the Compromisarios refused to send him resources." + +In reply to a question as to the relationship between the +Compromisarios and the Katipunan, he gave as his opinion, that "there +could be no doubt that both societies aimed at the same end." At +fols. 1118-1129 the same witness affirmed that "as the partisans +of Rizal and Pilar ... saw that neither masonry nor the Liga could +hope for funds [47], they formed the society of Compromisarios among +wealthy persons of Manila and the Provinces." + +Domingo Franco affirmed that the outbreak of the revolt came as a +great surprise to the Compromisarios. + +As to the aims of the society, Moises Salvador y Francisco is authority +for the statement that: "in one of the juntas they treated of the +provision of arms and other material of war; and it was agreed, +moreover, to gather funds for the said expenses, and as the junta +replied that it was impossible at that time, a committee was appointed, +composed of Jose Ramos, Doroteo Cortes and Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, +to draw up a petition for the aid of Japan." + +Moises also affirmed (fols. 1,296-1,299) that the Supreme Council of +the Compromisarios was formed as follows: + + + President Domingo Franco. + Secretary Apolinario Mabini. + Treasurer Bonifacio Arevalo. + / Numeriano Adriano. + Vocales + Ambrosio Bautista. + \ Moises Salvador. + + +Domingo Franco (fol. 1,299-1,303) testified that upon the dissolution +of the Liga, and in the month of October 1894, there gathered together +in a house of the witness, Numeriano Adriano, Apolinario Mabini, +Isidoro Francisco, Deodato Arellano and the witness, and it was +decided to constitute the association known as the Compromisarios, +endeavouring to gather as many as forty members, each paying a monthly +subscription of 5 pesos, for the sustainment of the La Solidaridad. + +The same witness also testified (fols. 1,332-1,337) that "The Liga +and the Katipunan were constituted in three groups, viz.: the Supreme +Council or the aristocracy, under the presidency of Francisco L. Roxas; +the Compromisarios or middle classes, divided into juntas or local +councils.... The third aggregation was the Katipunan under the +presidency of Andres Bonifacio, and was composed of the lower classes. + +From all this we gather that the association of Compromisarios +was founded with the idea of collecting funds to continue the work +commenced by masonry and the Liga. The association was, practically, +a committee formed to take up the work of the Liga, but formed in +such a manner as to avoid suspicion, and all compromise with the late +Liga. In its formation, its duties and its methods, it differed from +both the Liga and from the Katipunan, but whilst differing from them +it formed a tie between them, carrying on a work which the Katipunan +could not carry on of itself. The Liga died; and its mantle fell upon +the Compromisarios. This society inspired, watched over and protected +the labor of its successor, the Katipunan, the fighting machine of +the separatist or filibuster element. + + + +Note 64. The idea which appeared to pervade the minds of the so-called +progressive Filipinos was that with a code of laws a la Europea, +the adoption of some or other new fangled idea imported from France, +Germany or anywhere but the Peninsular, the Filipino would immediately +attain the advancement and culture enjoyed among the Japanese. To +anyone not acquainted with either the Filipino or the Japanese, such +an idea might be acceptable; but no student of Oriental races, nor even +the mere casual observer of these two peoples, would venture to predict +than even with all the advantages of modernism the Filipino now enjoys, +will he, as a people, attain to such a state of culture as that enjoyed +by the sons of the Empire of the Rising Sun even in a hundred years. + +Among the European peoples the progress of civilization and +regeneration was slow but it was none the less decisive. Among +Orientals it is, as a rule, quick but not lasting. Among almost all +Oriental peoples the rising generation is bright and gives signs of +great possibilities; but these youths after having passed with honors +through college and university, too often end their lives as they began +them--as children. What the Oriental lacks is stability. Nothing is +more common in the Philippines than to find that your cook or coachman +has completed four-fifths of his studies as lawyer, doctor or something +else. The Filipino who has reached the age of thirty and has not, +in these days, been bata [48] in a convent or with a private family, +been cochero, cook, collector of accounts for some business house, +letter-carrier, postman, policeman, musician in a church choir, +fireman, and connected with a few other employments of more or less +importance, is by no means a rara avis, to say nothing of the many +who have also been majors and generals in the insurgent "army", and +without stopping to consider a pair of very prominent natives who +from batas in the University of Sto. Tomas have, after a series of +political intrigues, risen to positions of law-tinkers over a people, +the vast majority of whom hate and despise them. + +As a matter of fact the very best of the filipino politicians and +other local men of fame, bright, learned and progressive though they +be, would count but little side by side with the foremost sons of the +Flowery Kingdom. To find in Yokohama, or even in Nagasaki or Kobe, or +any other city of Japan, a hundred Rizals, a hundred Pilars (Marcelos, +Pios or Gregorios), a hundred Apacibles, or Mabinis, or Aguinaldos, +or Buencaminos or Taveras would be an easy task. But to find in the +Philippines a Marquis Ito, a Mutsu, a Yamata or a Matsugata,--that +is the question. + +And why? Because at the time when Spain discovered these islands, +finding the people in a state of social and moral degradation, +without formal government or any social organization beyond the +tribal system (and that but limited) common to almost all savage +peoples, the Japanese had already counted with more than 1000 years +of more or less stable government, always organized, and with a +social organization and a firm national unity. The people of Japan, +at that time, cultivated the arts and sciences, enjoyed the fruits of +prosperous industries and of external commerce. They had a religion and +a language which could be written and understood when written. Three +hundred years ago, when the Filipinos were just commencing to learn +the difference between man and beast, the Japanese was enjoying a +relative civilization not yet attained by the Chinese, much less by +the partisans of the separatist leaders of Luzon and the Visayas. + +No country has ever done for her colonial children what Spain did +for the Filipinos during the three centuries she held control over +the Archipelago; and yet how far are the people from the state of +culture of the Japanese! Well might the leaders of the people look +to Japan as a model! + + + +Note 65. Domingo Franco (fols. 1,332-1,337) testified that on a +certain day "he went to see Francisco L. Roxas and asked him if it +were certain that he had been to the house of Cortes, and had arranged +matters in respect to the Commission which should go to Japan; to which +Sr. Roxas replied, yes; and that it was agreed that Cortes should go, +commissioned to ask of the Japanese Government, help and protection for +these islands, (the Filipino Government) handing over as a guarantee, +one of the islands near Luzon, which the witness believed to be +Mindoro on account of its large size and small population. + +"Antonio Salazar (fol. 1,118-1,129) stated that "of the junta of +compromisarios there formed part: Cortes, Espanol and Ramos, who +were then in Japan petitioning that Empire to aid them with arms, +ships and money...." + +Isabelo de los Reyes, in telling the Governor General, Primo de Rivera, +what he affirmed to be the truth of the situation in 1897, stated +that "the Filipino burguesses had nominated a commission composed +of Doroteo Cortes, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, Jose A. Ramos and +Marcelo H. del Pilar, the latter of whom died in Barcelona whilst on +his way to Japan. This commission had for its object the securing of +the protection of that empire; Cortes, as president, gathered funds +to sustain Ramos and Isabelo Artacho Vicos, who were his agents in +that country." + + + +Note 66. Antonio Salazar (fols. 1,008-1,013) testified that "The +year previous he met Timoteo Paez in Calle Echague, and enquired of +him if he had moved his residence to Quiapo; Paez replied that he had +transferred the members of his family to a house of strong materials, +not wishing to leave them in a nipa [49] house in Tondo, as he was +going to Singapore, and after encharging the witness to preserve +secrecy, told him that he was going there to engage a steamer which +was to make a trip to Dapitan to steal away Rizal from that place; +moreover that the date upon which Paez went to Singapore might be +known by enquiring at the house of Echeita and Co., where the said +Paez was engaged, and which conceded him permission to go." + +On another occasion this same individual testified (fols. 1,118-1,129) +that "the Compromisarios agreed to employ the sum (of money gathered +for another purpose) for the purpose of aiding the stealing away of +the person of Rizal from Dapitan, for which purpose they sent it +(the money) to Timoteo Paez, at Singapore that he might engage a +steamer which should go to Dapitan; and as they could not realize the +undertaking, they sent the money to Jose Baza who lived in Hong-Kong, +and Baza sent the money to Sandakan (in Borneo) so that a ship might +be engaged there for the purpose. + +On the 13th of January 1895, the Gr. Pres. of the Gr. Cons. Reg., +bro. Musa, gr. 18, wrote to the lodge Modestia, as follows: + + + "A. L. G. D. G. A. D. U. + + A la Resp. Log. Modestia No. 199. + + S. F. U. + + Ven. Maes. Pres. + + "Our very beloved bro. Dimas-Alang (Jose Rizal, see foot-note, + page 47), who for some time has been, as you know, expiating + in Dapitan, faults he has not committed [50], is authorized to + change his residence, under the condition that it be in some part + of Spain and not in the Archipelago." + + "Together with this notice we have received another that the + said bro. lacks absolutely the resources for such a long voyage + ... etc." + ................................................................ + + "In virtue of this, I write to you that, bearing in mind what I + have explained, you may arrange to be collected from the members, + the pecuniary aid they wish and are able to contribute for the + meritorious work in question." + + The Gr. Pres., Muza. + + +Jose Dison Matanza testified (fols. 1,132-1,138) that "the Secret +Camara of the Katipunan gathered together and decided upon another +plan, which was, as Bonifacio told the witness, to embark a large +number of people as passengers on a ship which was to go to Dapitan; +and these when they were upon the high seas, were to surprise the +crew and take possession of the ship; they should then steal away +Rizal from Dapitan and take him wherever they could." + + + +Note 67. If elsewhere in the history of the workings of separatism +in the Philippines, proof were wanting of the cruel deceit practiced +by the filibuster leaders upon the ignorants who formed the mass of +the secret associations of masonic origin, here in this instance it +would be found in abundance. Taking the whole question of the part +played by Japan or by individual Japanese in the separatist movement +from beginning to end I am strongly of the opinion that the supposed +assistance, whether in the form of arms and ammunition, or in that of +financial or moral support was a deliberate imposture, and that those +credulous persons who contributed with their hard-earned money towards +the sums said to have been utilized for propaganda in Japan, were +defrauded, not only out of the money they gave to the funds, but also +of what they might legitimately hope for as a result of the expenditure +of the said funds. It is a well known fact that the hopes of the people +were kept up by many statements which were absolutely unfounded [51]; +the assertions of Cortes, Ramos and others who performed the duties +of the embassy to Japan, were most probably of this nature. + +The person who, during the trials of those accused of treason, +gave the most interesting testimony relative to this matter, was +Juan Castaneda. He affirmed that "on account of family troubles, +and for questions arising from losses at gambling, and in view of +his having robbed his mother, he decided to leave for Hong-Kong, +embarking on the SS. Esmeralda, on the 31st of July 1895" [52]. He +went on to describe how he there met his friend, the native ex-priest +Severo Buenaventura; how the said Buenaventura initiated him into +the secrets of freemasonry, and how this native ex-priest had +been himself initiated by Ambrosio Flores [53]. That they later +on decided to go to Japan sailing on the SS. Natal. That on their +arrival at Yokohama they lodged at the house of Jose Ramos, where +there also lived Artacho. "During the first days of their stay Ramos +and Artacho seemed to look upon them with want of confidence, and +hid from them their conversations." He affirmed also that among the +visitors to the house of Ramos were a Mr. Hirata, a professor of law, +intermediary between Ramos and Prince Konoy, resident in Tokyo, and +also, a Mr. Yosida, merchant. He stated also that "to excuse their +frequent absence, Ramos and Artacho assured him that they had been +to Tokyo to interview the dignitaries of the Empire, Prince Konoy, +General Yamagata and the count of Tokogana, one of the ministers who +had been Japanese ambassador to the court of Italy. Ramos assured them +that, with these Japanese politicians they were arranging the securing +of the independence of the Philippines, to which end the Japanese +offered to land here 100,000 rifles with their ammunition, the cost +of which should be paid for in a fixed number of years ... etc., etc." + +Isabelo de los Reyes [54] says on this point: + +"According to what is said, Ramos interviewed, on several occasions, +Prince Konoy, General Yamagata and the Count of Tokogana, who was +then a minister. These gentlemen, it seems, were sympathizers with the +idea of our independence under the protectorate of Japan, as in Korea, +and that they proposed, as a means of gaining it, the fomentation of +Japanese immigration in the Philippines, and that when once this was +attained, the seeking of a conflict with Spain." + +Further on he states that: "Some days before the insurrection broke +out, Isabelo Artacho brought me a letter from Jose A. Ramos, in which +he gave me an account of the efforts they were exerting to influence +the leading politicians of Japan, to the end that they should aid us to +secure our independence. Artacho told me verbally the details and that +he knew that the liberal party of Japan, which then was the opposition, +sympathized with the idea, and proposed as a means of attaining it, +the seeking of a cause of conflict with Spain, introducing Japanese +emigrants to that end." + +Moises Salvador (fols. 1,138-1,143) stated that according to letters +received by Bonifacio Arevalo from Cortes and Ramos, these two had +been received by the Japanese minister of foreign affairs, to whom +they expounded the object of their journey; and as the minister asked +them what money they had to cover the expenses of the enterprise, +they replied that they would pay their way with the money they should +seize, pertaining to the Religions Orders and to the Treasury [55]; +and being satisfied, the Japanese minister told them they might prepare +themselves, for he would send them arms in June or July, to the coast +of Luzon, to be disembarked near the island of Polillo...." + +That the separatists hoped for, and aimed to secure the aid of Japan +is certain; many testified to the fact; but this testimony was more or +less hearsay. Certain leading separatists went to Japan to concoct the +scheme and were, no doubt, listened to by some more or less prominent +persons. This is all the more probable when we remember that the +credentials carried by the Commission took the form of a petition +signed by some 22,000 Filipinos, that is, it bore that number of +signatures. [56] + +The work of propaganda carried on by certain Filipinos cannot be +called into question; but what is very uncertain is whether or not +the Japanese extended the wished and hoped for assistance. To be +received in interview, and to be heard with attention, are two very +different things. A father listens to the idle prattle of his child, +but the childish words leave no other impression on his mind than +their cuteness merits at the time. This is probably what occurred +between Cortes and Ramos and the so-called "official" element of Japan. + + + +Notes 68 and 69. Pio Valenzuela testified (fols. 582-605) that "in +the month of May, a student of Law Daniel Aria y Tirona, came to his +house and invited him to go to salute the commander of the Japanese +cruiser the Kongo [57]. That at an hour fixed, there gathered at the +Bazar [58], with the witness, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Jose +Dizon and others, who were received by the commander of the cruiser +with an air of indifference, and of apparent ridicule.... Bonifacio +saluted and welcomed him to the islands, offering his services. The +commander replied, thanking them and inviting them to take a voyage +to Japan to visit the towns of that country, and enjoy its beautiful +climate. Later on they directed a letter to the Commander, Jacinto +drawing it up and Bonifacio, Dizon and himself and others signing +it; its text was a salutation to the Emperor and Empress of Japan, +and a manifestation of a desire to form a part of the said Empire, +etc.... With the letter were presented twelve water-melons [59] +sent by Emilio Aguinaldo, capitan municipal of Cavite Viejo, and a +quantity of mangoes purchased by Cipriano Pacheco, and also a picture." + +Jose Dizon Matanza questioned on the same subject, affirmed +(fols. 1,132-1,138) that he was invited to the "Bazar Japones," to +salute and welcome the commander of the cruiser (Kongo).... When he +arrived they gave him iced water.... About an hour afterwards there +arrived an officer of the ship who said he was the doctor, and soon +after the commander arrived; all saluted him.... On the evening of +the same day Bonifacio, Valenzuela and the witness went to Nagtajan +to the house where lived the Japanese who kept the Bazar.... Bonifacio +told them they had a letter to give them. Three or four days later on, +Valenzuela presented himself at the house of the witness with a letter +in Tagalo which read more or less as follows: (here follows what the +witness remembered of the letter.) Bonifacio signed it as president of +the Supreme Council of the Katipunan, Jacinto as secretary, Valenzuela +as Fiscal and the witness with the name of Jose Talin.... After the +departure of the Commander, the witness enquired of Bonifacio what +result the letter had obtained, Andres replying that the Commander +had taken a copy of it, returning the original, because the persons +signing it were not representative; but that the said officer was +very pleased with the pictures given in the name of the Katipunan, +and with the melons and mangoes sent from Cavite." + +Isabelo de los Reyes affirms that: "When the Japanese cruiser Kongo +visited the port of Manila in May 1896, the Supreme Council of the +Katipunan went to salute its commander in the upstairs of the Bazar +Japones, situated in the plaza del Padre Moraga, and handed him a +manuscript setting forth their desire for the aid and assistance of +Japan towards the gaining of independence for the Philippines. They +also offered him a picture and some native fruits." + +"The commander received them well and even regaled them with iced +drinks and coffee, but did not dare to accept the document, limiting +himself to the taking of a copy of it and promising to transmit their +desires to the Emperor; he also invited them to make a voyage to his +country. Nothing has since been heard of the commander." + +So much for the testimony given concerning the Kongo and its commander. + +Information I have obtained from Japanese semi-official sources on this +point, shows that the Kongo steamed into Manila bay in 1896 in the same +manner as it did recently, on a non-official visit. As was customary, +the Japanese Commander and other officers visited the Japanese Bazaar +in Plaza Moraga as well as other Japanese business houses. The Bazar +Japones was a center to which friends and acquaintances gathered to +salute the visiting officers. Upstairs were prepared iced drinks, +etc. for those who cared to take them. Bonifacio and others, +uninvited, walked in and presented themselves and their petition and +offerings. The latter the commander accepted; the petition he did not +accept: in this he showed good sense. As to the supposed copy which +he promised to take, evidence goes to show that it was not taken, +but that the said commander merely made a few notes of it on a scrap +of paper. The proprietors of the Bazar ridicule the idea that the +commander favored the petition or received the so-called commission +with pleasure; their opinion is that to which any investigator of the +affair would come, that the Commander was a gentleman and did not +wish to hurt the feelings, by his refusal, of even such ignorantes +as those who at that time forced themselves upon him. + + + +Note 70. The idea that the Liga was but an introduction to the +Katipunan is not borne out by the facts of the case. The Liga +Filipina was a foundation of Rizal, whilst the Katipunan was a +conception of Pilar who, finding Rizal was carrying all before him, +determined not to be out-done by his former companion. The very fact +of the enmity existing between the two leaders is proof enough that +the two societies were not one and the same thing, although after +their foundation they walked arm in arm. The Liga, as an association, +was eventually dissolved, and from it was formed the Compromisarios +(see note 63) and this body continued its functions till the outbreak +of the revolt. The vicissitudes of the Liga did not lessen Rizal's +influence. Ever ready to tell a lie or act one if it were to his own +advantage, Rizal permitted the free use of his name in connection +with the Katipunan also. To the vast majority of the oath-bound, +the Katipunan was but the Liga under another form; and in order that +the people should not know of the rivalry existing between himself +and Pilar, Rizal gave no signs of disfavor towards the foundation of +the new society; in fact he rather favored it, seeing that under the +circumstances it would make him figure as its "hero," and he would thus +be enabled to take the wind out of Pilar's sails. The only objection +raised by Rizal to the work of the Katipunan, was that which he made +to Valenzuela: that the time had not yet come for armed rebellion. + +As long as he held supreme influence Rizal was satisfied; but as the +separatist element was becoming weary at the long absence of its +"Moses" and had begun to worship the "calf" (not a golden one, by +the way) "Moses" got angry and threw down, in disgust, the "tables +of the law." + +In its beginning, Rizal was the idol of the Katipunan, in the same +way as Morayta (note 13) was the idol of the rebellious Filipinos +in Madrid, and others parts of the Peninsular. Isabelo de los Reyes +[60] would have us believe that the foundation of the Katipunan +was a result of the indignation of the people, consequent upon the +deportation of Rizal. This, in the face of facts, is a very poor +argument and demonstrates either the ignorance or the bad faith of +Reyes. And he himself contradicts it a few lines further on by saying +"that without knowing Rizal, the Katipunan acclaimed him its honorary +President." This latter they certainly did but not "without knowing" +him. They did so because they knew nothing of his disagreement with +Pilar, the real founder of their society, and because the aim of the +two societies was practically one. + + + +Note 71. The similarity of character between the Liga and the Katipunan +has always been a matter of discussion. Some writers would draw a hard +and fast line between the two, considering them as oil and water, two +bodies enemies one of the other; others looking upon them as two oils, +the one vegetable and the other mineral which, although differing in +nature, mix together thoroughly. + +Reyes, in his oft-quoted "Memoria" to the then Gov. General, Primo +de Rivera, in a mad attempt to prove that the insurrection was owing +to the "friars" and that they attempted to invent the Katipunan plot +to cover up their treason, says: + +"Above all, the friars committed the criminal and suicidal infamy +of calumniously including in the Katipunan the millionaire and +aristocratic element, and the middle classes, the fact being that +they had nothing in common with the plebeian association which they +not only despised for its low condition, but which the few who knew of +its existence must have hated, if not for egotism, for the socialistic +tendencies of the said group." + +Such assertions scarcely deserve comment, for from beginning to end, +the proceedings against the separatists were in the hands of the civil +authorities, the members of the Religious Orders having no influence +whatever in the matter, although it was they who, by their watchfulness +over the interests of the country had detected symptoms which they, +as true patriots, made known to the civil authorities. True it is also +that a friar, Padre Mariano Gil, made known, at a critical moment, +the plot of the diabolical society, in time to prevent the bloodthirsty +fiends rising in a night and cutting the throats of those who had been +their benefactors; but the "friar" was never a secret service agent of +the Government. What he did was what every patriotic Spaniard would +have done under the circumstances. It was the civil authorities who, +upon the discovery of the plot, caused the arrest of those complicated, +and who tried and passed judgement upon the guilty. If millionaires +and others were counted among the members of the Katipunan it was +because they were guilty of the same treason as the katipuneros and +not because they were "included" by the "friar". + + + "... Association which they not only despised for its low + condition, but which the few who knew of its existence must have + hated, if not for egotism, for the socialistic tendencies of the + said group." + + +So says Isabelo de los Reyes, the founder of the late Filipino +Democratic Party, and the Workman's Democratic Union, the most +socialist movement in the history of the Philippines. So much for +the Liberty, Equality and Fraternity which they all professed. + +Another writer, C. de Valdez, a nom-de-plume under which I recognize +as hidden one whose knowledge on this subject was very extensive, +who for the study of the question had at his disposition innumerable +documents of vital importance, gives as his opinion: "It has been +said that the Liga was a society into the which there entered only +elements of a certain culture, and the people of money; whilst +the Katipunan was formed for the poor and laboring classes. If by +this it is intended to signify that they were two close societies, +the one which should comprehend what we might call the aristocracy +and the other the common people, we cannot agree with the opinion, +because it is in contradiction with the facts. There existed a free +communication between both societies and the prominent personages of +the Liga mixed with the humble ones of the Katipunan, taking active +part in the labors and forming part of the reunions and assemblies +[61]; in the same way the individuals of common class entered the files +of the Liga without any distinction of class being drawn between them." + +The writer goes on to show that the three main things needed for the +Revolution were 1st: an active propaganda of separatist ideas; 2nd: +funds to cover expenses and to purchase arms, and 3rd: a considerable +number of persons ready to take up arms in the field. The first two +of these main things were to be attended to by the Liga and the third +by the Katipunan. + +"In the greatest utility in attaining the ultimate end of the +initiators and directors of the conspiracy, must be sought the +distinction between the Liga and the Katipunan, and the difference +which the one or the other society enjoyed." + +"In all other things, both societies, or both organisms of the same +society, co-exist, and display their activity jointly, the campaign of +the Katipunan or that of the Liga being the most active; according as +the necessities with which the one or the other were preferentially +encharged to satisfy the final triumph of the revolt, might be of +the greatest urgency or immediate utility." + +The fact is that the Liga and the Katipunan were the distinct +foundations of two personal enemies, both of whom wished to hold for +himself the position of supreme chief of the movement. (See note 70). + +D. Manuel Luengo, Civil Governor of Manila, in a report to the Minister +of Foreign affairs, speaking on the subject of the Katipunan, says: + +"To carry to a head their fearful and criminal idea, they found it +necessary to recruit many people of all classes and from all the +provinces, seeking a useful means to facilitate the conjuration. And +the indian being by reason of his ignorance and his barbarianism, +like all peoples of his kind, easily fanaticised, they set to work to +fanaticise the masses, these hordes of childish people, these ignorant +laborers; and they fanaticised them by means of the pacto-de-sangre, +making them swear war to the death to Spaniards, practicing an incision +in the left arm, and with the blood which flowed from the wound made +them sign their frightful oath." + +"The masonic attributes discovered, and the "apron" [62] upon which +appeared the head of a Spaniard suspended by the hair, by the hand +of a criminal indian, whilst with the other hand a dagger was plunged +into the throat, evidenced, in a notorious manner, that this Society +was found well provided with masonic rites." + + + +Note 72. Deodato Arellano, Bonifacio, Dina and Plata, it will be +remembered, were energetic workers of the Liga. They had entered into +the scheme of Rizal's association before Pilar's idea of a similar +society had become known. Two months or so after the foundation of +the Liga, at the time when its founder was deported to Dapitan, it +was decided to take up Pilar's project and see what could be done +towards carrying it to a successful issue. + +Jose Dizon y Matanza (fols. 1,129-1,131) testified that "on the +same day in which General Despujols ordered the publication in the +Gaceta of the deportation of Rizal, there gathered in a house in +calle Ilaya, Bonifacio, Arellano, Valentin Diaz, Teodoro Plata, Dina +and the witness; and they agreed to form a society to be known as the +Katipunan, the object and ends of which were to be filibusterism, or, +in other words, the liberty of the country from Spanish rule; the six +persons present immediately proceeded to perform upon themselves the +incision of the pacto-de-sangre, signing with their own blood a blank +paper, placing after the signature, the symbolic name each chose +for himself. They then drew up the programme of the Society. This +programme was composed of 6 articles, viz.: 1st: to constitute a +secret society known as the Katipunan; 2nd: that the organization +was to be by triangles, to the end that no more than three members +should know one another; 3rd: that the initiated should pay one real +entrance fee, and a half real as a monthly subscription; 4th: that +as the number of the members increased they should found one or more +balangay in each district; 5th: to try to gather funds to carry out +the purposes of the society; 6th: that when the opportunity occurred +they should reform these articles. + +They also agreed upon the form of oath which should be taken by the +initiated, which was to promise to shed even the last drop of blood +for the liberty of the Philippines. + +The Katipunan was founded upon masonic usage adapted to the character +of the association. Its formation was one of triangles, each new +Katipunero being bound to attract to the association, two others to +occupy the opposite angles. This formation was eventually changed on +account of the extent to which the society extended, its management +becoming very difficult. The particular triangles were broken up +and the association formed in three degrees. The first degree was +composed of the recently initiated members. These each possessed a +mask and some form of arm, either fire-arm or bolo, the cost of which +was borne by the member possessing it. The members who enjoyed the +second degree also possessed masks and wore as a regalia a ribbon +to which was attached a medal bearing a letter (equivalent to K) +of the old-time form of script of the pre-Spanish filipino; also a +sword and banner crossed. + +The third degree members possessed red masks, the color being +distinctive of the degree, in the same way as the color of the +second degree was green, and that of first, black. These colors +were symbolic: green signified hope, and red, war. Black was but a +general color common to bandits all the world over. The masks of the +third degree bore a triangle with three K's in the upper part, in the +ancient Filipino script, and at the base the letters Z. Ll. B. (see +at commencement of book). The inferior inscription signified "sons +of the people." + +Each degree had its pass words and the members only knew those of +their own degree. + +This was the latter form of the Katipunan in which it differed somewhat +from the Liga. + +Pilar's plan was revolutionary; Bonifacio's truly anarchistic. + +Among the "chosen people" who testified before the Schurman Commission +were two of the three native members of the present U. S. Commission, +Tavera and Legarda. Both of these, among many other statements +which will not hold water, had something to say on the subject of +the Katipunan. + +Legarda stated that: (see Report of the Philippine Commission, 1900; +vol. II page 377.) + +"This Society of Filipinos (the separatist element) united itself to +the masonic society in Spain, and they established branches here; +and this masonic society which was a true masonic society with all +the characteristics of Masonry, converted itself afterwards into the +Katipunan society. This society, the Katipunan, made great progress +here in the Philippines, for they had to do greatly with the common +people; they never had anything to do, or mixed at at all, with the +higher class of people here in the Philippines [63]. As a result of +this the society gained much credit and power, and undermined the +forces which were in existence, especially the native regiments of +Tagalogs. This was in 1896; the Revolution broke out at San Juan del +Monte in August. A curious fact that must be noted was that a friar, +who was the priest of Tondo, was the cause of its breaking out; for +Gen. Blanco knew of this movement of the people and what was going +on [64], and was in favor of making concessions to the people. This +friar denounced the society, for he had a very intimate friend who +was a filipino, and he caused this friend to be introduced into +the Katipunan society [65], and this friend afterwards became the +leader of the revolution himself. This Filipino was named Andres +Bonifacio, and later on he was chief of the revolution and chief of +the Katipunan society. He took refuge in Cavite, and all that province +rose up. Aguinaldo who was Municipal Captain in Cavite Viejo that +time, was also a member of the Katipunan. When he heard that the +Civil Guard was going to arrest him, he revolted too. He met a man +who was his superior in the society--that is, Bonifacio--and as his +ambition was his moving spirit, he caused Bonifacio to be shot." + +Tavera gave his opinion as follows: (see same Report, page 399. Vol +II). + +"The conviction was strong among the Filipinos that they would not +succeed in attaining anything by any other means than force. This +being the case, the idea occurred to some Filipinos to found a system +of masonry here. There were some lodges of the masonic order here, +and the idea presented itself to form a sort of political masonry, +which was created and called the Katipunan. This Katipunan society +was naturally a secret society and had, I think, about 400,000 +members, principally in the Tagalog provinces and of the people of +the valley of the Pasig River. I think in Manila and in the valley +of the Pasig there were 80,000, naturally, as there were so many, +and as they were so strong, the idea of a revolution was a natural +consequence. The principal agitator of all this movement was a +man named Andres Bonifacio, who stirred up and directed it. The +political movement in the Philippines was started, as was natural, +by the aristocracy of wealth and of intelligence, but the Katipunan +society was formed entirely of the elements from the lowest class of +society. Bonifacio was a man without education. He was employed in +one of the business houses at a small salary, of perhaps $30 or $40 +(Mexican) a month. They went on arranging their affairs very quietly +and very secretly, awaiting a proper moment for action, which they +believed would be the time of General Blanco's departure from the +Philippines. Gen. Blanco was a man who was well thought of here +[66], for he had a great deal of tolerance for the people [67]. He +did tolerate masonry, and they believed that he also tolerated the +existence of the Katipunan society. One day the priest of Tondo, +Padre Gil, through the confession of a woman [68], learned of the +existence of the Katipunan society, for the woman's husband was a +member [69]. This Father Gil informed the General, so the Katipunan +society was discovered. + +As the reader can easily see for himself there is considerable +difference between the statements of these two persons; a comparison +of these with the real facts of the case will show how easy it is for +a certain element to distort truth when it serves its purpose. I have +quoted these two "chosen" people, not that their statements may go +down to posterity as history (which has been distorted sufficiently), +but because both Tavera and Legarda formed part of Aguinaldo's mock +government--the Filipino Commune; and therefore both of them had +plenty of occasion to know the real facts of the case, facts they +evidently desired, for some reason, to distort. + + + +Note 73. See notes 70 and 71. + + + +Note 74. Herein the katipuneros showed their madness. So fanaticised +did they become that nothing of a nature or character Spanish was +allowed to remain. They carried this anti-Espanolism to the utmost +extreme. Those of the native clergy who sympathised with the Katipunan +frequently tore down the images of the saints in the churches, merely +because the said saints were Spanish or painted them black in order +to work the easier upon the imagination of the people. + +It was this hatred for things Spanish that gave rise to the bitterness +demonstrated against the Religious Orders. The friar was a Spaniard, +the most Spanish, as a general rule, of all the Spaniards in the +Archipelago, and as such became the principal target. + +(See page 148). + + + +Note 75. The revolution ever showed unmistakable signs of a bitter race +hatred. When the revolt first broke forth this race hatred was confined +to Spaniards; and it was not until the breaking out of the insurrection +against the lawful authority of the U. S. that it became general. Till +then anyone but a Spaniard could go from end to end of the Archipelago +without molestation; but when the promises of independence and other +things of a like nature, made by the American Consuls of Hong-Kong and +Singapore, and other irresponsible persons, failed to materialize, the +self-asserted leaders of the people lost confidence in the white man +and race hatred commenced to include all white people. When Aguinaldo's +hordes of semi-savages commenced their attack upon the American forces, +the effects of this race-hatred were felt more than ever before in the +history of the country. Not only was the white man to be destroyed, +but all those who sympathised with him--the Filipinos determined to +"stagger humanity." And how they were going to do it is demonstrated +in a document signed by Aguinaldo, captured by the American forces and +published by the War Department of the U. S. on the 5th of September +1900. The following are a few extracts from it: + + + "Malolos, Jan. 9, 1899--Instructions to the Brave Soldiers of + Sandtahan of Manila. + + "Article 1. All Filipinos should observe our fellow-countrymen + in order to see whether they are American sympathizers. They + shall take care to work with them in order to inspire them + with confidence of the strength of the holy cause of their + country. Whenever they are assured of the loyalty of the converts + they shall instruct them to continue in the character of an + American sympathizer in order that they may receive good pay, + but without prejudicing the cause of our country. In this way + they can serve themselves, and at the same time serve the public + by communicating to the committee of chiefs, and of our army, + whatever news of importance they may have [70]. + + + GIFTS AS COVERS FOR ATTACK. + + "Art. 2. All of the chiefs and Filipino brothers should be ready + and courageous for the combat, and should take advantage of the + opportunity to study well the situation of the American outposts + and headquarters, observing especially secret places where they + can approach and surprise the enemy. + + "Art. 3. The chief of those who go to attack the barracks should + send in first, four men with a good present for the American + commander. Immediately after will follow four others, who will + make a pretense of looking for the same officer for some reason + and a larger group shall be concealed in the corners or houses in + order to aid the other groups at the first signal. This wherever + it is possible at the moment of attack. + + + TO MURDER IN WOMAN'S DISGUISE. + + "Art. 4. They should not, prior to the attack, look at the + Americans in a threatening manner. On the contrary, the attack + on the barracks by the Sandtahan should be a complete surprise + and with decision and courage. One should go alone in advance + in order to kill the sentinel. In order to deceive the sentinel + this one should dress as a woman, and must take great care that + the sentinel is not able to discharge his piece, thus calling + the attention of those in the barracks. This will enable his + companions who are approaching to assist in the general attack. + + "Art. 5. At the moment of the attack the Sandtahan should not + attempt to secure rifles from their dead enemies, but shall pursue, + slashing right and left with bolos until the Americans surrender, + and after there remains no enemy who can injure, they may take + the rifles in one hand and the ammunition in the other. + + + FIREBRANDS FROM THE HOUSETOPS + + "Art. 6. The officers shall take care that on the top of the + houses along the streets where the American forces shall pass + there shall be placed four to six men, who shall be prepared with + stones, timbers, red hot iron, heavy furniture, as well as boiling + water, oil and molasses, rags soaked in coal-oil ready to be lit + and thrown down, and any other hard and heavy objects that they + can throw on the passing American troops. At the same time in + the lower parts of the houses will be concealed the Sandtahan, + who will attack immediately. + + "Great care should be taken not to throw glass in the streets, as + the greater part of our soldiers go barefooted. On these houses + there will, if possible, be arranged in addition to the objects + to be thrown down, a number of the Sandtahan, in order to cover + a retreat or to follow up a rout of the enemy's column, so that + we may be sure of the destruction of all the opposing forces. + + + WOMEN TO PREPARE "BOMBS" + + "Art. 9. In addition to the instructions given in paragraph 6, + there shall be in the houses vessels filled with boiling water, + tallow, molasses and other liquids, which shall be thrown as bombs + on the Americans who pass in front of their houses, or they can + make use of syringes or tubes of bamboo. In these houses shall + be the Sandtahan, who shall hurl the liquids that shall be passed + to them by women and children. + + "Art. 10. In place of bolos or daggers if they do not possess + the same, the Sandtahan can provide themselves with lances and + arrows with long sharp heads, and these should be shot with great + force in order that they may penetrate well into the bodies of + the enemy. And they should be so made that in withdrawal from + the body the head will remain in the flesh. + + "Emilio Aguinaldo" + + +The following official notice posted up in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, +is another interesting example of the extent to which this race +hatred spread: + + + NOTICE. + + The traitor Honorato Quisunbin, who in an evil moment denied his + country, died yesterday. + + To-day, one no less a traitor and renegade to his mother country, + has also died. He who has been the cause of so many husband-less + wives and fatherless children, has received a punishment for his + crimes which will prevent him from repeating them. + + We will allot to-morrow, for the punishment of the remainder if + they do not change their conduct, but continue to follow the steps + of the above mentioned. For this reason, beloved compatriots now + that you have witnessed the punishment given to those who have left + the path marked by our authority which our government conferred on + us although we are unworthy of it, but as we have been appointed, + we have forcibly to obey all the decrees published, for the crimes + which are punishable by death and which are as follows: + + 1st. All those who have any public or private communication with + the enemy and serve them as guides; + + 2nd. All those who attack and rob in a band; + + 3rd. Violation or abuse; + + 4th. Incendiarism; + + 5th. All those who receive any position or employment in the + service of the enemy. + + (Signed) THE COMPATRIOTS. + + +This race hatred is illustrated very clearly in the definition of +the Katipunan given by Romualdo Teodoro de J., when he said that its +aim was to kill all Spaniards and take possession of the islands. No +particular hatred was shown to any class; it was all Spaniards of +all classes and conditions who were to be assassinated. It is also +clearly depicted in the Act of Session of the Katipunan Sur already +quoted (See page 81; also foot-note page 80). + + + +Note 76. What Sr. Diaz intends by Tagalog Katipunan is not quite +clear. The whole society was practically confined to the Tagalog +provinces and was insignificant in extent even beyond the city of +Manila and its suburbs. There was no other Katipunan. + +In November 1895 the assembly of the Katipunan was composed of +ten individuals of the Supreme Council, and the presidents of the +popular sections who were entitled to assist in virtue of holding +some office therein. + +In January of the following year of 1896, after the annual election, +the assembly was composed as follows: + + + President Andres Bonifacio. + Secretary Emilio Jacinto. + / Vicente Molina. + Treasurer + Pantaleon Torres. + \ Hermenegildo Reyes. + / Francisco Carreon. + | Jose Trinidad. + Councillors + Balbino Florentino. + \ Aguedo del Rosario. + Fiscal Pio Valenzuela. + + + +Note 77. The question of the amount and the source of the supply of +arms possessed by the Katipunan has always been one of dispute. Some +suppose the rebels to have been well armed, whilst others reckon the +number of serviceable guns to have been very small. + +Among the papers and documents belonging to the Katipunan Sur, seized +by the Spanish authorities, is the following: + +"Commissioned for the purchase of arms: + + + D. Gabino \ + D. Juan + Tantoko + D. Antonio | + D. Ezequiel / + D. Epifanio Ramos. + D. Victoriano Luis + for the distinct armories of Manila." + + +In a letter of the Secretary to the President D. Agustin Tantoko +(a native priest; see page 79): + +"I believe we can obtain the dynamite by bribing some of the harbor +employees." + +This letter has a foot-note which says: "When you have read this, +destroy it." + +Numeriano Adriano testified (fols. 1,309-1,312) that Andres Bonifacio +had collected 10,000 pesos for the purchase, in Japan, of 4,000 rifles +with abundant ammunition. + +He also stated that the arms had been purchased and were to be landed +near by the mountains of San Mateo and in the Batanes islands, from +whence they would be brought to Manila. + +That "Andres Bonifacio went to San Mateo with men to receive and +arrange arms, whilst Deodato Arellano and Timoteo Paez were encharged +to send people to Batanes to the same end." + +Also that "It is said that many of the insurgents in the province of +Cavite bear arms of different systems, and he supposed that they must +have been acquired by the rich and wealthy persons of that province, +such as Francisco Osario and others, who knowing perhaps of the +existence of the Liga of Manila, its form and object, had formed +their own also, in the said province, in order to unite to that of +Manila and make common cause therewith." + +Domingo Franco declared (fols. 1,381-1,382), in answer to a question +during his trial, as to what he knew in reference to the purchase of +arms and ammunition, that "all he knew was that arms and ammunition +had been purchased, because at the end of 1895, or the beginning +of 1896, he saw Francisco L. Rojas in his office in Calle Jolo, and +the said Rojas told him that he had received a quantity of arms and +ammunition." He stated moreover, that he did not know the make or +number, nor where they had been landed. + +Tomas Prieto of Nueva Caceres mentioned the receipt of 50 arms from +Bato. He also stated that Mariano Melgarejo, according to references +from Macario Valentin, received a load of arms in eleven cases from +Pasacao." + +Pio Valenzuela affirmed that the arms borne by the rebels were for +the most part domestic bolos [71] and lances, and that the chiefs +were armed with revolvers." These revolvers were, he affirmed, +acquired from the Maestranzi de Artilleria. + +Juan Castaneda declared that "the Japanese offered to land here 100,000 +rifles with their ammunition, the expense of which should be paid in +a fixed number of years." + +Numeriano Adriano also affirmed that it had been decided to purchase +arms in Japan and that one of the islands of the Archipelago should +be given to Japan in exchange for its aid. + +Domingo Abella affirmed that he had visited Francisco Rojas in his +office for the purpose of finding out if the arms which the tailor +Luis Villareal had ordered for the society, had arrived; and that +although Francisco Rojas did not belong to the society, he was +encharged to portion out the arms and commissioned to bring them to +Manila. Francisco told him that he could not provide him with any as +they were all sold. + +The net cost of the arms and ammunition necessary to carry out +the revolt was considerable, and as their introduction into the +country would have to be very carefully planned, and be carried out +with the greatest secrecy, the original cost would be considerably +increased. Large sums of money were therefore necessary to cover +expenses. Although the entrance fees and monthly subscriptions were +considerable they could not produce the amount necessary to provide +for the revolution, especially when there existed such a wide spread +tendency among those who handled the funds, to absorb them as a sponge +absorbs water. Castillo in his work concerning this association and +its funds says [72]: + +"Undoubtedly it (the Katipunan) possessed large sums of money, +only the most insignificant part of which, according to report, was +discovered in the possession of Pio Valenzuela, preserved in gold and +amounting, we believe, to less than 30,000 pesos. These resources +could not cover the extraordinary expenses of the propaganda, that +of the Commissioners sent to Japan to treat with that power on the +question of a protectorate, and that of the coming war expenses which +were without doubt, very considerable. + +"The Indian is not so selfish or so patriotic that he would, without +immediate advantage to himself permit himself the extravagance +of abandoning the sedentary life he usually leads, to launch out +into the field of adventures of doubtful result. Those who from the +headquarters of the revolution directed those torpid masses must +have realised this, and to make sure of the exit, caused money to be +distributed to all the affiliated and to their families, giving them +at the same time rice in abundance. + +"On the morning of the events which took place at San Juan del Monte, +two women who live in the Santa Mesa road, were engaged in giving money +to the taos [73] who passed that way, advising them to unite themselves +with the insurrectos to the end of killing all the Spaniards.... +................................................................ + +"This money set aside for distribution in San Juan del Monte, in +Pasig and in the pueblos on the banks of the river, must have come +from a well stocked treasury...................................... +.................................................................." + +A little further on, the author gives a very broad hint as to one +probable source of funds when he asks the question, where is the +million and a half pesos which constitute the default in the public +treasury of Manila? + +"It would be a curious coincidence," says the author, "if part of +this amount perhaps the greater part should have served as funds from +which the expenses of the revolution and the war were paid." + + + +Note 78. The initiations into the Katipunan were grotesque in the +extreme. The person introduced for initiation was placed in a room +draped in black, with its walls hung with mottoes in Tagalog dialect +such as: "If you have courage you may continue," "If you have been +brought here by your curiosity, retire." Upon a table was placed a +skull, a loaded revolver and a bolo. A paper upon which were written +three questions lay also upon the table. These questions were: "In +what state did the Spaniards find the Tagalog people at the time of +the conquest? In what state are they found now? What future can it +hope for? + +The initiated previously instructed by his god-father, or by the +person who catechised him, was to reply that, at the time of the +arrival of the Spaniards, the Filipinos living on the coasts enjoyed +a certain amount of civilization, since they already had cannons and +silk dresses, that they enjoyed political liberty, sustained diplomatic +(sic) relations and commerce with the neighboring countries of Asia; +had their own religion and writing; in a word, lived happy with their +independence. A certain amount of civilization may be. Let us see +what that certain amount was: + +"Barely clothed, and more often naked, revelling day and night in +drunkenness, given to the practice of infanticide, holding virginity +as a dishonor, having among them people who practiced defloration as a +profession, ignorant of the value and uses of money, making use of men, +women and children to pay debts, in continual warfare with one another +and enslaving their prisoners, practicing wholesale murder of slaves on +the death of a chief or important personage, adoring and sacrificing +to rocks, trees, crocodiles and idols of wood; lacking religion, but +having in its stead most bestial and absurd superstitions; without +temples, monuments or even literature, although they possessed a +species of written language. The only human ideas they possessed were +adopted from the Chinese, Japanese and Borneo Mohammedans whom they +imitated after the manner of apes. This, historians tell us, was the +condition of this people 340 years ago! when the missionaries planted +the Cross on Philippine soil, and brought to the benighted natives +the gospel." So much for the certain amount of civilization. + +Cannons and silk dresses: of a kind; as to the cannons, where +did they all come from? Bought from or exchanged with the Borneo +moros probably. As to these and the silk dresses, the savages of the +south-sea islands enjoyed the use of such things and enjoyed them with +better knowledge of how to use them! They enjoyed political liberty; +let us see what Morga the historian who speaks most glowingly of the +ancient civilization of the Filipino peoples, has to say on this point. + +He says: "In all these islands the people had neither kings nor lords +to dominate them as in other kingdoms and provinces. But in each +island were many chiefs from among the same natives, some greater +than others each one with his subjects, by groups and families, who +obeyed and respected them. Sometimes these chiefs were at peace with +one another and some times at war.... The superiority which these +chiefs had over the people of their group was such that they held +them as subjects, with power to treat them well or ill, disposing of +their persons, children and estates at their will, without resistance +or the necessity of giving account to anyone, and for very slight +offences they killed and wounded them and made slaves of them; and +if it happened that one of the chiefs were bathing in the river and a +native passed in front of him or looked upon him with want of respect, +and for other similar things, they made slaves of them for ever." This +is a good and practical kind of political liberty, just the kind of +liberty the country would enjoy if in the hands of the leaders of the +Federal Party, so anxious for liberties for themselves and coercion +for those who do not agree with their way of thinking. + +Diplomatic relations and commerce with the neighboring countries of +Asia: As to the diplomatic relations the mere idea of such a thing is +preposterous. If we are to concede the use of diplomatic relations +to the ancient Tagalog people, then we must consider as diplomatic +relations such customs as the passing of the "peace pipe" practiced +by the indian of the United States, and the giving and accepting of +young women for sensual convenience practiced in many of the islands +of the Pacific up to the present day. As to their foreign commerce +let us listen once more to Morga. "Their contracts and negotiations +were as a rule illicit, each one considering the best way to come +off successful in his business." + +Their own religion: For a religious system they worshiped their +ancestors and performed human sacrifices. The Spaniards found in +these islands less than a million inhabitants, who were divided +into innumerable tribes governed by rulers who had no more title of +sovereignty than that they were enabled to impose upon the people by +brute force and untold cruelties. The inhabitants formed a jumble of +inferior races some more or less pure in blood, others intermixed; +people speaking many dialects. They all lacked religion, in the proper +sense of the word; they lacked morals, in fact they were wanting in +everything that raises man above the level of the brute creation. + +As to their own writing, certain it is that they possessed a crude and +very inefficient manner of writing, but what is very remarkable is, +that in spite of their possessing a system of script, not a single +piece of their literary work has yet been discovered nor even a written +tradition. This goes to prove that either the Filipinos were at that +time too deep in the savage ages to realise the importance of writing, +or that the form of script was useless for practical purposes. + +To the second question the initiated replied that the friar +missionaries had done nothing to civilize the Filipinos, as they +considered the civilization and illustration of the country to be +incompatible with their interests [74]. + +To the third question the initiated was to reply that they had +faith, courage and constancy to aid them to remedy these evils in +the future. [75] + +The master of ceremonies warned him that he was taking a very important +and very solemn step, and he was recommended to retire if he did not +feel courage enough to continue since he would uselessly expose his +life. If the initiated insisted in continuing with the mysteries of +the initiation he was presented to the reunion of the brethren to +be tried by the proofs assigned, which were very similar to those +adopted in universal masonry, but surrounded with more paganism, +if that be possible. He was blindfolded and made to discharge a +revolver against an imaginary enemy, a person he was made to believe +really was present and awaiting there the executionary bullet which +should make him pay the penalty of a treason. If he passed through +the proofs successfully he was introduced into the hall of oaths and +there with his own blood, drawn by means of an incision made in the +left arm between the shoulder and the elbow, he signed the oath. + + + +Note 79. See note 50, pages 171, 173 and 174. + + + +Note 80. The liberty of the Tagalog people; the chief aim which gave +rise to the revolt. The first thing the separatists desired was to +get rid of the Peninsular Spaniard; the next to go would have been the +insular Spaniard, then the Spanish mestizo, then the Chinee half-caste +and the Chinee; after which would come the gradual extinction of the +various tribes. In the mean time the country would suffer considerably +and at last...? See page 69, last four lines of the first paragraph. + +It is well nigh impossible to imagine to what the liberty of the +Tagalog people would mean if it were put into practice. If the +South American states which are recognized as independent, are +unable to govern themselves in spite of the political superiority +of the people inhabiting them over the peoples of this archipelago, +without an unending series of revolutions, what might we expect from +the Philippines? Give the country independence with one of the native +"commissioners" as president of the republic and how long do you +suppose it would be before Pedro Paterno at the head of some 5 or +6,000 men would march into Manila to depose the president and proclaim +himself Emperor Pedro I? And before the new Emperor could install +himself in Malacanan he would have at his heels a thousand and one +petty chiefs, princes, kings and perhaps even a few ambitious queens! + +It is over a half a century ago since the South American Republics +became independent, and at that time the rest of the world cared but +little for the consequences of such a step. But this indifference of +the nations can never exist here in the Orient at the commencement +of this XX Century. It would never suit the rest of the world to +see independence declared in the Philippines and especially if that +independence left the reins of government in the hands of the Tagalog +people. + +The question of the expulsion from the country or the destruction of +the Spaniards has been spoken of under several notes; the idea was, +doubtless, a semi-savage interpretation of the preachings and teachings +spread abroad by the Bible societies in all parts and especially in +Spanish countries. And this becomes the more probable when we call +to mind what the El Imparcial of the 26th of August 1896 published +concerning this identical point. Speaking of the state of the country +in general as a result of the insurrection, it says: + +"The minister of Foreign affairs received a telegram yesterday from +General Blanco manifesting that more arrests had been made......... +................................................................... + +The conjuration had ramifications in various parts of the Archipelago, +and in it figured not only masonic societies but also Bible +societies.......................................................... +................................................................... + +The propaganda of filibusterism is encharged to the colporteurs +of evangelical books, who wander all over the Archipelago selling +protestant publications." + + + +Note 81. These three native priests were among the prime movers of +the rebellion of 1872, a revolt which was planned out in the houses +of Joaquin Pardo de Tavera and Jacinto Zamora. The three priests were +executed by the garrote together with Francisco Saldua. Gomez left +the sum of 200,000 pesos to his natural son, born to him before he +entered the priesthood. In his will he strongly counselled his son to +be ever faithful to the Spanish authorities. I had intended to give a +brief outline of the revolt of '72 but space will not permit. Taking +it as a whole, it differed little from the revolt of '96 with the +exception that it was directly brought about by the propagators of +revolutionary ideas then rampant in Spain, and by the emissaries of +the revolutionary government then established. + + + +Note 82.--See note 20. + + + +Note 83. The oath taken by the katipuneros was as follows: + + + K. K. K. + N. M. A. N. B. + + Section.... + + I declare that on account of my entrance into the K. K. K. of + the A. N. B. I have sworn a solemn oath in my native pueblo and + in the presence of a superior of the Junta of the Katipunan, + to do away with everything that is possible and even with that + which is to me most near and dear and appreciated in this life, + and to defend the cause to victory or to death. And in truth of + this I swear also to be obedient in everything and to follow in + the fight wherever I am led. + + And in proof of what I have said I place my true name with the + blood of my veins at the foot of this declaration." + + + +Note 84. Pio Valenzuela, who gave some of the most interesting and +reliable information concerning the inner life of the Katipunan, +testified (fols. 1,663-1,673) that on the 30th of November 1895, +the birthday of Bonifacio, a meeting was held in Caloocan, in +a house situated in the rice fields, some thirty five or forty +individuals assisting thereat, among them being the witness. This +meeting continued all day and all night till the following day, the +first of December. At this meeting they pronounced the death sentence +upon the tailor Guzman for publishing the secrets of the Katipunan; +this sentence was signed by all present including the witness, after +he had made many observations against it, observations the rest would +not listen to. One of the lighter punishments meted out was the public +exposition in the lodge rooms of the picture of the person punished, +with the word traitor written over or under it. + + + +Note 85. The Katipunan enjoyed a peculiar and special organization, +which was given to it in order to avoid surprises and treachery. The +assemblies were always held in secluded places and under the cover +of the greatest secrecy. Sometimes they were held at midnight in the +open cornfields so as not to attract the attention of those indians +who were not members of the society. Valenzuela relates how a secret +meeting was held in the pueblo of Pasig at midnight, on one occasion +to arrange the matter of the annexation of the Islands to Japan in +case that nation did not care to declare a protectorate over them. + +The Council of Ministers of the Supreme popular Council was as follows: + + + President Andres Bonifacio. + War Teodoro Plata. + + State Emilio Jacinto. + Interior Aguedo del Rosario. + Justice Birecio Pantas. + Finance Enrique Pacheco. + + + +Note 86. Pio Valenzuela mentioned one occasion upon which such a +meeting of the society was held, he himself assisting thereat, in +the house of Andres Bonifacio. It was a supper given in honor of the +baptism of a child to which the said Valenzuela was god-father. After +the supper, which served as a shield under the which the work of the +lodge was to be done, an election was held for the Supreme and the +Popular Councils, and the sections. Some thirty members were present. + +Another case he mentioned was that of a meeting held on the birthday +of Bonifacio 30th of November 1895. + +The Katipunan moreover had its own festivals. This is how Valenzuela +describes them: + +"The Katipunan held its festival, according as Andres Bonifacio had +told the witness, on the 7th of July, anniversary of the foundation +of the society; it also celebrated another anniversary on the 28th +of February, the date of the execution of the three native priests, +Burgos, Gomez and Zamora (see note 81). On that day a catafalque draped +with black cloth, was erected in each one of the popular Councils, +having four hachones [76], one in each of its four angles, adorned +with crowns made with plants named Macabuhay [77]. All the members +filed before the funeral pile, reciting prayers for the dead and +swearing to avenge the death of the three priests. + + + +Note 87. Roman Baza, who was one of the many who suffered the death +penalty for his treason, undertook to educate in ultra-democratic +ideas, (as Isabelo de los Reyes is doing in our days), all he came +in contact with. He printed and spread abroad the "rights of man" +of the French revolution. + +He was at one time president of the Katipunan (see p. 44) but being +a man little suited to carry out to a successful issue the set +plans of the society, Bonifacio determined to remove him, by what +Sr. Diaz terms a coup-d'etat, but more properly called an underhand +trick. Bonifacio, at that time treasurer, forced a conflict on the +subject of the financial conditions of the society, being denounced +as an exploiter for his pains. The quarrel was settled by an election, +Bonifacio by his unholy influence carrying all before him. + +It was during the presidency of Baza that the Katipunan society for +women was founded, "the object of which was mutual succor (!). The +institution serving at the same time to dissimulate the meetings of +the male Katipuneros. Whilst the latter were holding their sessions +in a retired room, the women were in the salon with some young men +dancing, singing or eating. The presidentess of this society of mutual +succorers was Mariana Dizon. + +To secure admission it was necessary to be a daughter or sister of +one of the male members. Mariana Dizon later on married Jose Turiano +Santiago, and as a result, the female Katipunan, as an organization +was broken up, the late members however continuing to shield as before, +the labors of the Katipunan reunions. + + + +Note 88. See notes 74, 75 and 93. Part of the local and provincial +Spanish press has not failed to give the public a rehash from time to +time, of the greater part of the inventions of the separatists. It is +needless to say, however, that in this it has failed to receive the +support of representative Spaniards who look upon such an action as +little to the honor of the good name of Spain. As to the corresponding +English-speaking press in this connection, the less said the better +for the good name of American journalism. + + + +Note 89. Jose Dizon Matanza stated during his trial (fols. 1,132-1,138) +"that Pio Valenzuela sought money from the wealthy, and as he (the +prisoner) understood, from a statement of Bonifacio, had collected +over a thousand pesos for the object of covering the expenses of the +trip which he made to Dapitan to confer with Rizal; and in order to +fool the authorities he took with him a blind individual with his +guide, that Rizal might perform a cure or some operation upon the +blind man. The motive of the conference was the proposition to Rizal +of the armed rebellion, etc., etc." + +Valenzuela himself spoke of this trip to Dapitan (see note 16, p. 133) +as follows:-- + +"In the month of May of that year 1896, a reunion was held in +Pasig and there it was agreed to send a commission to Japan ... and +it was agreed also to commence the armed rebellion, settling the +manner in which it should be carried out, but it was decided that, +previous to taking action it would be wise to consult with Rizal, +the witness being chosen as emissary. The schoolmaster of Cavite +Viejo, by name Santos, proposed that a blind man named Raymundo Mata +should accompany Valenzuela that Rizal might cure him. The witness +embarked on the S. S. Venus at the end of May, meeting on board, +one of Rizal's sisters, and his (Rizal's) querida, an American or +English woman named Josefina; and arriving at Dapitan, the witness +went ashore with the two women and a servant that accompanied them, +making their way to the house of Rizal, etc., etc." + +According to a statement of Isabelo de los Reyes, "Rizal, as has +been clearly proved at the trials (of traitors) advised them to wait +another two years, as they lacked arms." + +I wonder if Rizal foresaw the war to break out two years later between +Spain and the United States! His intense desire to go to Cuba would +give one that idea. + + + +Note 90. Negotiations indeed! Who can imagine the circumspect and +formal little nation of Japan admitting negotiations with a warehouse +porter, a man who was representative only of the worst of the lowest +classes! Sr. Diaz probably made this statement from hearsay por boca de +ganso as they say in Spanish. If any negotiations took place between +Bonifacio and the Japanese Government they were on a par with those +between the late U. S. Consuls of Singapore and Hong-Kong, and a few +other irresponsible people, and Aguinaldo, the leader of the Katipunan. + + + +Note 91. As has been seen in the foregoing notes, it was the +intention of the separatists to make purchases of arms and their +necessary ammunition in Japan. Those wealthy Filipinos who were +owners of steamships were looked to as the chief assistance in the +transportation and landing of the said arms, etc. + +The date of the arrival of the arms, according as appeared from +evidence given during the trial of Francisco L. Roxas, was to have +been the 31st of December 1896. Lorenzo de la Paz, however, stated +that it was the 1st of September of the said year. Others claimed +it to be the 13th of September or the 30th of November. As may be +easily seen, there was no lack of disagreement among the chiefs +of the revolt, and perhaps, as far as the majority were concerned, +still more exploitation. + + + +Note 92. Pio Valenzuela y Alejandrino was a licentiate of Medicine, +and one of the members of the inferior Supreme Council of the +Katipunan. According to his own story he entered the files of the +society under compulsion at the hands of Andres Bonifacio, who on +the strength of a love affair, gave him the alternative of death or +membership in the Katipunan (see p. 132). In his declaration during +his trial (fol. 142-147) on the 6th of September 1896, he recorded +how on the 30 day of November, S. Andrew's day of the year 1895, +he was presented by Andres Bonifacio to various Katipuneros as +"brother" Medico (Doctor), Bonifacio stating that from that time he +(Valenzuela) would be the doctor of the society. He also stated how, +in the following month of January and in another meeting, he was +nominated Fiscal, and official doctor with a salary of thirty pesos +monthly, a salary he had no little difficulty in collecting. He was +commissioned in May 1896 to go to Dapitan to hold a conference with +Rizal concerning armed rising against the supreme authority of Spain +in the Archipelago; but Rizal was shrewder and more far-sighted than +the others and would not consent to the carrying out of the scheme as +proposed by Bonifacio. On the return of Valenzuela Bonifacio imposed +upon him a strict silence concerning the outcome of the conference; +but being pressed by certain members of the society, among whom were +Emilio Jacinto, Secretary of the Supreme Council, and capita Ramon +of Pandacan, he revealed the secret of Rizal's opposition to a plan +he feared would be abortive. When once the cat was out of the bag the +facts soon became public among the principal members, with the result +that many who had promised funds for the purchase of arms etc. in +Japan, refused to pay the amounts promised. Among these was a colonel +of Malabon who had promised 500 pesos for the said object. This breach +of confidence on the part of Valenzuela brought about the separation +of himself and Bonifacio, and the former presented his resignation +as doctor and fiscal of the society. Bonifacio opposed the idea of +his resignation but it was finally accepted, and the former friends +parted company each to work in his own sphere. + +Valenzuela was in fact one of the chief movers of the rebellion; +this was confessed by Domingo Franco, the late president of the then +defunct Liga Filipina. "The rebellion," says he, "was produced by a +foolish child, whose name it would dirty the tongue to pronounce, +because after being the author of all (this however is somewhat +inexact) has given himself up to the authorities to denounce those +he has succeeded in misleading." + +During his trial in the Bilibid prison, before Col. Francisco Olive +y Garcia on the 2nd of September 1896, he gave some of the most +interesting and reliable information that has yet been gathered +concerning the interior workings and doings of the Katipunan. + +When the Guardia Civil set out from Manila to break up Bonifacio's +party in Caloocan, several of those forming the leadership fled, +and among them Valenzuela. He entered Manila by way of Sampaloc, +passing through Quiapo to the Escolta and down the Pasaje de Perez, +embarking there on one of the lake steamers. On arrival at Binang he +went to the house of the co-adjutor D. Silvino Manaol (native priest), +to whom he recounted what had taken place. The co-adjutor asked of +the parish priest the proclamation of the Governor General conceding +pardon to those who should present themselves [78]. Having read it +with care and under the advice of the co-adjutor, he set out for the +capital disembarking at the Ayala bridge from whence he took a quiles +and went immediately to the palace of the Governor to present himself +to him. The Governor General was not at home so Valenzuela at once +started for the offices of the Military Government. + +Speaking of this giving up of himself of Valenzuela, Sr. Jose +M. del Castillo y Jimenez says: "The forty-eight hours conceded by +the proclamation of the Governor Blanco were about to close when +there reached the palace of Sta. Potenciana, worn out, bathed in +perspiration, and almost in a period of agony, Pio Valenzuela, an +important person of revolution he being in such a condition that it +was necessary to assist him previous to his passing into the presence +of Gov. Blanco. When he had come to himself and was in a condition +to make an explicit and ample confession he had two hours conference +with the Governor, giving information of as such as he knew." +................................................................... + +"Valenzuela and Rosario were of great utility in clarifying the facts +and especially in the explanation of the cipher documents discovered +in the house of Villaruel and others." + + + + + +SPECIAL NOTE. + + +The reader's attention is called to paragraph 3 on the following page +of the text (p. 47). + +Apart from the Councils spoken of in this and the former paragraphs +there were others formed at a later date. These were more properly +variations and were as follows: + +Trozo: Popular Council Maypagasa with four sections, Dapitan, +Silanganan, Dimasagaran, and Dimas-Alang. + +Palomar: Popular Council Pinkian with two sections. + +Tondo: Council Katagalugan with the sections Katutuhanan, Kabuhayan, +Pagtibayan, Kalingaan and Bagong-sinag under the presidency of +Alejandro Santiago, Braulio Rivera, Hilarion Cruz, Cipriano Pacheco, +Nicolas Rivera and Deogracias Fajardo. + +Conception and Dilao (Paco): the Council Mahaganti presided over by +Rafael Gutierrez; and the sections Panday and Ilog, with a delegation +in Ermita. + +In Cavite was the popular Council Kawit the president of which +was Emilio Aguinaldo [79] the capitan municipal of the pueblo of +Cavite Viejo and later on the dictator of the Filipino Commune. This +Council comprehended Imus, Noveleta, Silang, Naic, Maragondon and +other pueblos. Imus was presided over by Juan Castaneda, Noveleta by +Alejandro Crisostomo. + +In Bacoor was a Popular Council presided over by Genaro Valdes with +three sections Dimagpatantan (not to leave in peace), Ditutugutan (not +to rest till the end is reached), and Pananginginigan (formidable). + + + +Note 93. The Kalayaan was intended to be a monthly review. Its +first number consisted of thirty-two pages in quarto. The price +of each number was 50c (Mexican). It was a most rabid anti-Spanish +publication and advocated separatism openly, and yet in spite of the +press censorship it circulated freely in the Archipelago. + +As the common belief was that this paper was published in Japan, as +would appear from the paper itself, General Blanco decided to send a +special delegate to Japan to investigate the matter of its impression, +its publishers, authors, etc., that steps might be taken to put a +stop to its impression or at least that a check be put on its entry +and circulation into the Philippines. Don Alfredo Villeta was chosen; +but on account of some hitch in the arrangements, he never started on +his errand. Some say that the paper did not reach its second number, +but it is certain that it did not reach its third. + +The heading was as under: + + + KALAYAAN + Issued at the end of each month. + 1st year. Yokohama. January 1896. No. 1. + + Price of subscription, Articles must be signed If purchased will cost + 3 months 1 peso; by their authors. 2 reales per number. + in advance. + + +The headings of the principal articles were as follows: + +To the Compatriots. + +Manifesto; by Dimas-Alang (Jose Rizal.) + +What the indian ought to know and understand; by Agapito Bagumbayan. + +This latter article is a mirror in which the purpose of the paper is +reflected; it reads remarkably like a composition of Pedro Paterno, +the visionary who claims for the peoples of the Archipelago a glorious +pre-Spanish history and civilization. The following citations from +the article will give some idea of the whole publication. + +"In these islands, which were previously cared for by our true +neighbors of Malaysia at a time when the Spaniards had not as yet set +foot upon the land, there existed a complete abundance and a state of +welfare. Our friends the neighboring kingdoms, and especially Japan, +brought commerce to our shores which formed the most abundant market, +and there was found everything necessary, wherefore it was the richest +country and its customs were all very good [80]. Everyone, youths and +advanced in years and even the women, could read and write according +to our manner of script." + +The article goes on to say that upon the arrival of the Spaniards the +natives only made friends with them after that Legazpi had performed +the ceremonies of the pacto-de-Sangre [81] with one of the indio +petty sovereigns. + +"The Spaniards," says the writer, "have perverted us with their bad +customs and have destroyed and obliged us to forget the noble and +beautiful customs of our country." + +Noble and beautiful customs: Compulsory defloration of young girls, +as a result of the belief that a girl who died a virgin could not +enter heaven! Could anything be more noble and beautiful? + +Kalayaan purported to be and was always considered as the soul of +the defunct Solidaridad (see note 24). It was printed in the Tagalog +dialect and died, as it was born and had lived--in shame. + + + +Note 94. Pio Valenzuela testified (fols. 582-591) that on the 22nd +of August he was informed by Josefa Dizon that her son Jose together +with Bonifacio had fled from Manila. Valenzuela thereupon fled also, +following them, and reaching Caloocan about 8 p. m. There he found +Bonifacio with some twenty others. Andres informed them that they +must not separate as it was now time to commence the armed rebellion, +the plot of the Katipunan having been discovered. From Caloocan they +went to Balintauac arriving about 11 p. m. Here they met a certain +Laong with a group of men. They remained in the pueblo Sunday, +Monday and Tuesday preparing for the onslaught they were to make +upon the Spaniards, which was fixed for the 29th of the same month, +the plans being that they should advance in groups upon Manila, +killing the Spaniards and also the indians and Chinese who refused +to follow them, "dedicating themselves to the sacking of the city, +robbery and incendiarism and to the violation of women." Many Chinese +were murdered and their stores robbed. + +Whilst in the fields of Balintauac distribution was made of bolos and +ten revolvers, the latter stolen from the Maestranza of Manila. On +Tuesday evening preparations were made to meet the attack of the +Spanish troops which had been sent out in persecution of the rebels, +and the first conflict took place. Valenzuela also stated that the +greater part of the people who formed the rebel forces were drawn, +catechised and initiated all in a moment by the fanatic Laong, who +was practically the active chief of the revolt, and who directed in +person the attack upon the Chinese stores. + +About 5 pm. on the 29th five hundred men under a "leader of Pasig" +appeared on the scene at the waterworks. They at once took possession +of the building and of the persons of the workmen. Their first +intention was to stop the machinery so that no one need be left +in charge thereof when orders should be received for a start for +Manila. The engineer however, reminded the chief that if such a thing +was done their brethren in Manila would die of thirst. This excuse +carried the day and the chief decided to leave some workmen there under +the condition that the engineer and others who wore moustaches should +shave, and that all should dress like indians, and that the engineer's +wife should dress like a native woman and prepare food for his men. The +party finally set out on their way. They tried to avoid an encounter +with the troops composed of artillery and infantry, 65 men in all, +stationed at the powder works. In avoiding this handful of defenders +they fell afoul of other troops which gave them a good sharp reception. + +As to those who, repenting, desired to return to a legal status, it +is difficult to form an opinion, on account of the contrary evidence +adduced in connection therewith. Isabelo de los Reyes already cited, +in a futile attempt to justify the acts of the Katipuneros, claims +that some of the chiefs opposed the plan of the armed resistance as +contained in the propositions of Bonifacio, claiming that it would +be a great and useless sacrifice, to say nothing of the imprudence of +such an act, to launch forth against an armed force without possessing +better arms than a few bolos and lances. He claims that Bonifacio +listened to the advice and was on the point of acting upon it, but +was compelled to take the step he did in declaring the revolt, by +the attitude of his 500 followers. The authority for this statement +was Pedro Nicodemus, who was the commander of the said group, a man +who was as ignorant as he was blood-thirsty. + +Further on Isabelo states that "in the famous reunion of Balintauac, +in the solemn moment of the breaking forth of the revolt (August, +26th 1896) Andres Bonifacio as president of the Supreme Council of the +Katipunan, explained that the plot had been discovered, and that in +order to save those who were compromised and who had not up to that +time been arrested, it was necessary to launch forth to the fight, +although the arms with which they should fight had not yet arrived +from Japan." + +Granted however the character of Bonifacio, his aims and the methods +he adopted to carry out his ideas, such an excuse as that of Reyes +argue but little in pro of the good judgement or better said the good +faith of its author. Bonifacio was anxious for the first blow of the +revolt to be struck that he might not lose the confidence of those +who had intrusted him with the undertaking and who had been fooled +into the idea that the Katipunan forces were so powerful that nothing +could resist their onward course once they had been started on their +way. And to suppose that Bonifacio was to be so easily influenced by +a few petty chiefs is to show a complete ignorance of the character +of the hero of the Katipunan. If the opposition of the said petty +chiefs really occurred it was probably inspired more by fear of +the consequences than by the true spirit of repentance, for if the +cruelties and abuses said to have been committed by the Spaniards +were the cause of the revolt, what need was there of such a repentance? + +The prestige enjoyed by Bonifacio among the katipuneros was natural +enough, in as much as he was the father of the Katipunan, the +illegitimate offspring of filipino freemasonry, itself a legitimate +child of the Spanish family of universal freemasonry. + +"The Katipunan," says the author of an exposition to Congress, dated +1900 and published at the printing office of the El Liberal, "the +worthy and legitimate [82] child of Andres Bonifacio, was founded in +his own house in calle Sagunto (Tondo) between six and seven in the +evening of the 7th of July 1892. Andres Bonifacio gathered together +his best friends, Teodoro Plata, Valentin Diaz, Ladislao Dina, +Deodato Arellano, and Ildefonso Laurel, to whom he proposed the +necessity of the creation of that Superior Association of the Sons +of the People, whose only aim should be that of the independence +of the people under a Spanish protectorate or in default of that, +of Japan. Those assembled took to the idea with great enthusiasm and +at once commenced the propaganda of the same. + + + +Note 95. One thing which clearly demonstrates the state of fanaticism +and moral degradation to which the Katipunan fell, was the savage +manner in which they treated the Religious prisoners who fell into +their hands. Disrespect for all authority and especially that of +the clergy, was one of the chief fruits of the work of propaganda +carried on by Rizal and other of the separatist element, aided and +abetted by the Bible societies who gave moral as well as practical +assistance to their labors. + +As fanaticism increased, this want of respect became more intense +and eventually led to a thirst for the blood of those whose greatest +crime was the excessive favor they had extended to the indian, to +whom such a thing as gratitude was unknown [83]. + +As we have seen, the intention of the Katipuneros was the annihilation +of the Spaniards, irrespective of class or condition. The parish +priest being the strongest support of the administration was the +target for the bitterest treatment at the hands of the rebels. + +Among the number of those parish priests murdered by the Tagalog +rebels were P. Toribio Moreno; Recolet, parish priest of Silang; +P. Toribio Mateo, Recolet and parish priest of Perez Dasmarinas; and +the lay brothers: fray Luis Garbayo and Julian Umbon, these latter were +murdered in San Francisco de Malabon. Upon the Estate of Imus, then +property of the Recolet Corporation, now in the possession of a large +London Syndicate, were most brutally murdered the following Recolets: + +P. Jose Ma. Learte, ex-Provincial and parish priest of Imus, P. Simeon +Marin, ex-Definitor and parish priest of Maragondon, P. Agipito +Echegoyen, parish priest of Amadeo, P. Faustino Lizasoain, parish +priest of Bailen, and the lay-brothers: + +Roman Caballero, Jorge Zueco del Rosario, Damaso Goni, Bernardo Angos, +Victoriano Lopez. + +It is affirmed by eye-witnesses that these victims to Tagalog +fanaticism were saturated with petroleum and burned alive. + +Fear was entertained for the safety of of several Dominican Fathers +who held parishes near by, and therefore P. Buenaventura Campa, +P. Francisco Cabenas and fray Natalio Esparza immediately set +out in search for them. Regardless of the great risk they ran in +falling into the hands of the bloodthirsty Katipuneros, these three +heroic Dominicans casting aside all thought for self and all care +for their own welfare [84] set out for Naic in the steam launch +Mariposa. Difficulties were encountered from the start. The native +captain and engineer conspired to prevent the carrying out of the +attempted rescue. P. Buenaventura calling up the refractory captain +told him that he and his companions were firm in their purpose and +that progress must be made. The captain pleaded inability for want of +coal. Then hoist the sails, said P. Campa. There are none replied the +captain. Then take my habit and those of my companions and make sails +of them, thundered the Padre. The captain gave in and the journey was +continued. Naic was reached; they failed to find their companions but +were in time to save the unfortunate wife and children of Lieut. Perez +Herrero; they discovered them barefooted and wellnigh mad with terror, +dressed in native clothes and hidden in a nipa shack. P. Galo Minguez, +parish priest of Naic, Padres Nicolas Pena and Jose Digne and the +laybrothers Saturnino Garcia and Jose Pedida had succeeded in escaping +from the clutches of the rebellious Tagalogs, having fled to Labay +from whence they made their way to Corregidor, meeting there those +who had come to seek them in the Mariposa. + +The Augustinian Father P. Piernavieja was another victim to +fanaticism. This Father has been termed medio loco [85] and in +all truth he was so if the possession of a presence of mind such +as that shown by P. Piernavieja is to be termed craziness. True +it is that he was at times gifted with a strange turn of mind. He +had, during the many years he administered the parish, established +therein a christian communism. When the revolt broke out he was +held as a prisoner and obliged to invest himself with the authority +of an Archbishop. Had the revolt prospered and P. Piernavieja lived, +undoubtedly he would have been made Archbishop of Manila by the Tagalog +discontents. P. Piernavieja was shrewd enough to take well to his new +office. He was once called upon to anoint the chiefs and rulers, as the +kings and emperors of olden time were anointed by the Church. Padre +Piernavieja told them that olive oil was not suitable for such a +purpose and therefore proceeded to anoint them with cocoanut oil such +as is used by the natives for their lamps! Under pretext of his office +of Bishop this strange old man claimed liberty to make his pastoral +visits and when he succeeded in securing this liberty which was readily +granted to him, he overran all that part of the province in the hands +of the insurgents, secretly collecting all kinds of information, which +he immediately sent his superiors in Manila. This information reached +the military authorities and would have become of utility to them for +the carrying out of the campaign had it been prosecuted as a military +campaign should have been. But the Padre's messenger was eventually +captured with messages in his possession. When questioned as to the +source of the information, and where he was taking it, he told all, +and as a result Padre Piernavieja was condemned to death as a traitor +to a cause to which he had never held allegiance. As a punishment he +was tied to a tree exposed to the burning rays of the tropical sun, +and thus left to the mercy of the voracious birds and insects, dying +of hunger, thirst and of terror in the midst of inconceivable torments. + +Padre David Veras, Dominican, was another of the many victims of +the Katipuneros. He was the parish priest of the pueblo of Hermosa +in the province of Bataan. When the insurgents attacked the pueblo +they captured P. David, and after cutting off both his hands, dragged +him to the most distant of the ten barrios of that pueblo, and there +hacked him to death with bolos and hatchets mutilating his body in +a horrible manner, and throwing the corpse on to a dung heap. + +In the early dawn of the 25th of December 1896, in Morong province +of Bataan, Padre Domingo Cabrejas, Recolet, was murdered at the altar +while offering up the holy sacrifice of the Mass, his blood staining +the sacred linen and the steps of the altar. The katipunero murderers +hurriedly hid the body in the church and fled. + +Padre Jose Sanjuan, also Recolet and parish priest of Bagac was +another victim. To name all those who suffered barbarous treatment at +the merciful hands of the insurgents would be a well-nigh impossible +task. Recalling the acts of those fanaticised sectarians, one might +almost recall the barbarities and brutalities of the diabolical +Nero. Certainly the ancient Chinese and Japanese were scarcely +more excessive in their treatment of the unfortunate missionaries +they tortured in their attempt to stamp out the christian faith; +and even the Chinese boxers of our days could have taken lessons +from the disciples of Filipino freemasonry. Many, many are the +unfortunate missionaries whose blood cries to heaven for vengeance +and this vengeance of the God of Justice will one day fall upon this +people. Even in our own days we cannot shut our eyes to the fact of the +existence of the well marked track of the hand of Divine Justice as it +passes here and there throughout the land, calling now upon this one, +now upon that, to pay his debt even to the last farthing. The track +of the finger of God has been remarkably distinct in this archipelago +and many are the cases in which that finger moving slowly and silently +along has pointed out the unfruitful tree which the scythe of death +shall cut down. + +"For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God; visiting the sins of the +fathers upon the children until the third and fourth generation." + + + +Note 96. Some there are who see in every event which takes place, +the protecting or avenging hand of Providence. Others there are who +laugh to scorn the idea that Providence should concern itself in +such matters. + +The hand of Providence surely has manifested itself of late in this +archipelago, here protecting the one from a cruel torture, there +permitting the sacrifice of a martyr to the faith or a martyr to duty +and honor, and the integrity of the Spanish nation. Here giving one +over to a just punishment, there pointing out another as an object +for Divine vengeance. + +Is proof needed perhaps that the finger of the avenging hand of Divine +justice has left its well-marked path in the Philippines? Then we +have a notable case before us. A few months ago, a steamer, the Rio +de Janeiro, left the Orient bound for the port of San Francisco, +Cal. Within sight of the city, almost within sight of the crowds +who stood upon the wharf in expectation of the ship's arrival, +the good vessel, by the will of God who rules over all things, +went to the bottom, carrying with her, among other passengers, +a man who was morally and physically responsible for the greater +part of the barbarities practiced upon the long suffering Spanish +prisoners, Religious, Civil and Military, at the hands of the Tagalog +revolutionists. With that man disappeared from the land of the living +his whole family, together with state and private papers of unknown +value. How often before in the past history of the world has the God +of Justice obliterated whole families and even whole nations! + +And who shall say that the hand of Divine Justice has not protected +as well as avenged. For many months the katipuneros had woven a +fine-meshed net around the Spanish population of the Philippines, +a labor the more easily accomplished in the same degree as the +scandalous carelessness of the Blanco administration became more and +more marked. Blanco himself was a freemason [86] and was always, like +our present civil administration, surrounded by friends of his own +choice, people who at no time suffered from an excess of patriotism; +and the few honorable exceptions which did exist were, unfortunately, +persons whose good moral influence was powerless to better a situation +which day by day became worse [87]. + +This net already woven was set, and it needed but the given signal +for its string to be tightly drawn and the unsuspecting prey would +immediately fall into its folds, to be redeemed only by a barbarous, +cruel death. But providence is merciful as well as just, and in her own +time opened up a way of escape for the coveted prize of the katipunero +savages. This opening was no other than Teodoro Patino, himself a +member of the diabolical society, the plot of which he was to reveal. + +Patino was one of the many compositors in the printing establishment of +the Diario de Manila. He was an indian of but little importance both +as regards his abilities as a workman or as a katipunero: he was one +of the thousands of unknowns from which have sprung so many of those +sadly famous ignorantes and others of our own days. But he was destined +to act an important part in the society to which he belonged: a part +however not in the programme of proceedings drawn up by the society. + +A discussion took place one day as to the subscription the said +Patino should pay into the common funds of the society, and heated +words passed between him and his companions on the subject. From words +they came to blows; and as Patino was one against many he came out of +the tussle second best, having received a good sound thrashing for +daring to differ from the majority. To satisfy his injured feelings +he looked around him for some one from whom he could expect sympathy, +and he bethought himself of his sister who was a pupil of the College +of Mandaloya, under the care of the Augustinian Nuns. To his sister +he repaired and to her he told his tale of woe, making mention at the +same time of a certain society to which he and his assailants belonged. + +The sister startled by what her brother related, questioned him +closely, as only a woman can question when she wishes to get to +the bottom of anything. Having been a pupil of the Augustinian Nuns +for a considerable time and preserving in her heart sentiments of +gratitude little known among the peoples of the Archipelago, she was +much hurt to hear of the plans mapped out by the Katipunan for the +brutal destruction of those who had always been so good and kind to +her and her brother. And before Patino could tell all his tale, his +sister had bidden him good-bye and gone off in search of the Mother +Superior of the College, to whom she immediately told all she knew +of the affair. The two women trembling with fear for the safety of +the lives of so many hundreds of innocent victims, hurriedly sought +the presence of the Rev. Padre Mariano Gil, Augustinian, and parish +priest of Tondo. This Rev. Father, realizing the enormity of the +Katipunan plot, advised them to send Patino to him without delay. + +Patino presented himself at the convento and underwent a close +examination at the hands of Padre Mariano. At first little progress +was made, as Patino feared both the anger of the authorities and +that of his fellow katipuneros, who would doubtless take revenge upon +him according to the laws of the society, for his tale-telling. And +in spite of the fact that he tried at every turn to avoid telling +the naked truth, and to escape here and there by professions of +ignorance, he eventually manifested to P. Mariano Gil all he knew +of the society, of its plans and of its resources. After a long and +tedious conversation, the patriotic Augustinian was gratified with +the knowledge of where to lay his hands upon hidden documents etc., +which would throw much light upon the purposes of the society of +cut-throats. P. Gil immediately set to work to disclose the hidden +secrets. + +"Without losing a moment," writes P. Mariano Gil, to a friend who +had asked of him the true story of what took place on that memorable +occasion, "I sent notice to the Lieut. of the Veterana of this +sub-division, D. Jose Cortes, to whom in the presence of the denouncer, +Patino, I communicated the most necessary data, giving him at the same +time the names of all those persons in the printing establishment who +were compromised, commencing with the two who signed the receipts, +Policarpo Tarla and Braulio Rivera, indicating to him the manner of +procedure for the detention of all those complicated. + +................................................................... +... "I decided, confiding in God, to go alone to the printing +establishment, at a time when none of the workmen should be present." + +The writer goes on to explain how he made known his mission to D. Ramon +Montes and two other Spaniards who, astonished at the news, aided in +the search for the documents, stones etc. After a half hour's search +the lithographic stone was discovered, and like a tiger springing +upon its prey, the zealous son of St. Augustine pounced upon it, as +though he feared that the very roof of the building should fall in +upon it and bury it beneath its rubbish out of reach of his hands. A +proof was taken from the said stone, of the Katipunero receipts, +and P. Gil immediately set off in the direction of the Veterana of +Tondo where he met Patino, who recognized the receipt as authentic, +and two hours later the Patriotic Augustinian saw his efforts crowned +with the confession of guilt of the delinquents, the two previously +named, figuring at the head of the list. Having performed this, P. Gil +humbly wended his way back to his parochial dwelling, satisfied to +have been an instrument of divine Providence for the unravelling of +one of the most bloodthirsty plots ever invented by the perverse mind +of embruted mankind. + +At midnight was discovered in the locker of Policarpo Tarla, in the +same place, a dagger, the regulations of the Katipunan and several +documents having connection with the said society, all of which, +together with the famous lithographic stone, were handed over by +Sr. Montes to the Veterana. + +On the following day P. Gil discovered in the house of one of his +parishioners a dagger identical to the one mentioned, also several +receipts in Tagalog with the key of the symbolic language in which +they were printed. + +"This", affirms P. Gil, "is the truth of the discovery." + +There can be little doubt that Patino was directly inspired more by the +thrashing he received than by providence, although it is not possible +to deny that the thrashing and the consequent divulging of the secrets +of the Katipunan were providential. And as regards to his repentance, +I doubt judging from the character of the average indian, whether he +really felt repentant till the enormity of the crime to which he was +an abettor was brought home to him by P. Mariano Gil. Be that as it +may. The ways of Providence are hidden from us and we can seldom see, +with our human eyes, more than the actions of the human reason. Yet +the truth remains, that whether directly or indirectly inspired by +providence it was Patino's action which saved Spain "from an unending +series of bitter experiences." + + + +Note 97. What has, up to this present, been written concerning these +stirring events has been taken chiefly from the reports made by +Gen. Blanco to Sr. Canovas. Whether from ignorance or from malice, +these reports contained about as many errors as words. From these +Sr. Diaz evidently took the statement that the sister of Patino was a +pupil in the College of Looban, whereas P. Mariano Gil himself states +that it was that known as the Orphan Asylum for Girls at Mandaloya. + + + +Note 98. The following sketch of P. Mariano Gil is taken from the +Heraldo de Madrid which in its number of the 6th October 1896, said: + +"P. Gil was born in Carreon de los Condes (Palencia) on the 2nd of +July 1849. Whilst still young he entered the Augustinian College of +Valladolid. His studies concluded, he passed to the Philippines where +he filled the duties of parish priest in several Tagalog pueblos. Till +recently he has been holding the position of parish priest of Tondo, +a suburb of Manila. He was fortunate enough to discover the plot +of the insurrection on the 19th of August last, denouncing it at an +opportune moment. The Spaniards gathered in manifestation to the palace +of the Governor General; Sr. Blanco did not condescend to receive them +and they therefore went at once to pay their respects to P. Gil and +the Archbishop, both of whom congratulated them for their patriotic +attitude. A newspaper of Manila, El Espanol, published the picture +of the parish priest of Tondo; but scarcely had the first copies +of the paper appeared on the street, than General Blanco ordered +their suppression, commanding that a new edition be printed omitting +the said picture and the laudatory phrases which the El Espanol had +dedicated to the eminent Augustinian, from this time a note-worthy +patriot to whom the public did a justice which General Blanco either +did not know how, or did not wish to do him." + +Speaking of this patriotic Padre, Sr. Castillo y Jimenez [88] says: + +"His character is gruff; he asks nothing, he demands; he does not +beseech, he asks; and what he demands and asks is just and lawful, +because it bears in its essence the benefit of mankind, aiding the +unfortunate, warding off their dangers, delivering them from the +attacks which envy and vengeance might deal out to pacific and humble +people. He is inflexible with the reprobate and disloyal, magnanimous +with those who have been deceived; proud with the haughty and humble +with the weak, and in his generous life has wiped away many tears, +distributed much bread to the poor, and many times proportioned +assistance to the needy that they should not fall into want." + +The good work done in the discovery of the diabolical plot of the +Katipunan, has very naturally been the object of a great amount +of bitter criticism at the hands of the separatist element, which +has never pardoned the valiant Augustinian for springing their +carefully laid traps. He was denounced in the lodge rooms of Filipino +freemasonry, from one of which was despatched a letter directed to +him and bearing his picture, as will be seen in the accompanying +illustration. His discovery was depreciated and belittled, and made +to appear a farce. His patriotism was called into question and his +very life was placed in imminent danger. + +However the torrents of lies that have poured forth against him have +not, and can not obliterate the truth. + +Isabelo de los Reyes to belittle the labors of discovery of P. Gil, +affirms that Antonio Luna notified Blanco of the existence of the +association previous to the discovery of P. Gil. Be that as it may; +the secret police had also notified Blanco of what was going on. Three +times did the Archbishop of Manila do the same, and so also did +the other prelates of Manila and Prior of the Convent of Guadalupe, +and Lieut. Sityer [89]. But this does not lessen the value of Padre +Gil's discovery, but rather adds to its importance. For whilst Blanco +was sufficiently posted on the matter to be able to judge of the +necessity of taking immediate proceedings, there was wanting that +healthy stimulus which was given by P. Gil. A stubborn carbuncle +often needs the aid of the lance: P. Gil's discovery was the lance +which brought to the surface the putrid matter which nature could +not, of herself, eject. This putrid matter extending itself, would +have brought about the mortification of the whole body, had not the +surgeon applied his lance in good time. And although the lance of +the surgeon brought pain to the patient it saved her for the time, +giving back to her a state of relative health. + + + +Note 99. The first executions which took place were those of four +rebels captured in flagrante in San Juan del Monte. These were Sancho +Valenzuela, Eugenio Silvestre, Modesto Sarmiento and Ramon Peralta. Of +these Valenzuela was the only one of any importance. Sarmiento was +a cabeza de barangay [90] of Santa Ana where he owned a small nipa +house which he rented out, performing at the same time the office of +cook and house boy to the tenant. On the way to execution he met his +tenant-master and, in a nonchalant manner, greeted him with as pleasant +a Buenos dias Senor, as if he were on the way to some joyous function +or a grand "meet" at the cock-pit. Before his execution Valenzuela +also showed a spirit of coolness and serenity, signing his last will +and testament with a firm hand, and smiling. Both showed the spirit +of men thoroughly fascinated by some superior power, neither realizing +the crime they had committed nor the punishment they were to undergo. + +The second execution took place in Cavite, thirteen rebels being +shot. These were Francisco Osorio, Maximo Inocencio, Luis Aguado, +Victoriano Luciano, Hugo Perez, Jose Lallana, Antonio San Agustin, +Agapito Conchu, Feliciano Cabuco, Mariano Gregorio, Eugenio Cabezas and +two constables of the public prison of the province. These constables +had pressed into their traitorous service a number of the muchachos of +the prison. Francisco Osorio was a very wealthy Chinese half-caste. He +had been honored by Spain with several honors, among them the Grand +Cross of Carlos III. He was very intimate with the authorities in +Cavite. His father, a wealthy Chinee, and his cousin, a doctor, +both denounced him at the moment of his execution. + +"After the reading of the sentence," says an eye-witness, "in front +of the square which we formed, he commenced to cry, asking pardon of +the General and of all Spaniards; he affirmed that he was a Spaniard +and that he would never conspire again against the country in which +he had been educated, and he cursed the freemasons who in Madrid had +initiated him into the hatred of religion and the fatherland. The +doctor his cousin, turning to him, said: Silence Osorio! don't cry so; +what will the Spaniards benefit from your repentance; but the miserable +fellow paid no attention to him, and asked to be allowed to kiss the +Spanish flag before he died. This permission was not granted." + +Maximo Inocencio was the proprietor of a large store and was a +contractor to the Arsenal. He had been previously arrested for +implication in the revolt in Cavite in 1872. At that time he escaped +but was afterwards pardoned; the signal rocket was to be fired from +his storehouse in Cavite. + +Luis Aguado was also a contractor for the Arsenal. + +Victoriano Luciano, a chemist, was a wealthy half-caste who had not +lived long in Cavite. + +Hugo Perez, was an indio. He was the venerable of the masonic lodge. In +his house were discovered two large photographs in which the majority +of the thirteen persons executed were photographed in the form of +a triangle; a book with a triangle and other masonic insignia on +its front page, and four important letters of anti-Spanish masonic +propaganda. + +Lallana was a tailor, and some say a peninsular Spaniard. For a while +he was chief of police of Cavite and had been a corporal of Marines. + +Antonio San Agustin was an indian, a petty merchant and a man who +could scarcely bear the sight of a Spaniard. + +Agapito Conchu was a master of a primary school, and a half-caste. He +had once been detained in the time of Despujols but granted his +liberty. Apart from his school, he gave lessons to some of the children +of the Spanish families of the town, including the daughter of the +Governor of Cavite. + +Cabuco was an escribiente [91] of the administration of State; and +Eugenio Cabezas a watch-tinker. + +These executions were followed by that of a member of the Guardia +Civil, Mariano Magno, in Nueva Ecija. Magno had always been noted for +his lack of obedience to his superiors, his hatred of discipline and +ill-feeling in general towards Spaniards. Fifteen others were shot in +Iligan on the 28th of October of the same year. Many others suffered +the like penalty in different parts of the Archipelago. + + + +Note 100. Those sentenced to deportation were, for the most part, sent +to Jolo, Puerta Princesa, Balabac and to the penitentiary colonies. + +To the first named place were sent 69 persons of all kinds and +conditions, trades and occupations. Among them was a Juan Cuadra, +a chemist in Ermita. To Puerta Princesa went 53, and to Balabac 56 +both lots well assorted. Those most compromised in the insurrection +were sent to Fernando Poo, these numbering some 200. Three hundred +more were sent to Mindanao. Among the 200 sent to Fernando Poo were +merchants, compositors, silversmiths, book-binders, carriage painters, +laundrymen, escribientes, a clerk of the Puerta del Sol on the Escolta, +hat-makers, tailors, laborers, students, lawyers and among them the +irrepressible jack-in-the-box, Thomas William of the Rosary (Tomas +G. del Rosario); telephone operators, school-teachers and three members +of the secret police; among the rag and tag of the good-for-nothings, +and as chief of them, was the famous translator of the scriptures, +Pascual H. Poblete [92]. + + + +Note 101. Apolinario Mabini was born in the pueblo of Tanauan, +province of Batangas, and was the son of parents of the poorer and +lower classes. He came to Manila as a lad and received his secondary +education in the College of San Juan de Letran at the hands of +the Dominican Fathers, taking the degree of professor. Later on he +was employed in the Intendencia and by careful saving and by steady +application he continued his studies for law and concluded his course +at the University of Santo Tomas also at the hands of the Dominicans +who spared no efforts on behalf of his success. From the University +he received the title of Licentiate of Law in 1895. + +He entered the office of the notary Numeriano Adriano to practice +law, and whilst there employed, was drawn by Adriano into the net of +masonry, joining the lodge Balagtas which was one of those founded +from the overflow of the original Filipino lodge Nilad. Adriano was +the venerable of the said lodge. When the Liga Filipina was formed +and had gotten well into working order Mabini was named a councillor +of the superior Council (see page 28). According to the testimony +of Moises Salvador (see page 296) Mabini was also secretary of the +Association of Compromisarios. + +He was arrested as one of the chief instigators of the revolt and +after due trial was sentenced to death. The Spanish authorities +however, took compassion upon him because of his pitiful condition, +he being paralysed in the lower parts of the body [93]; so instead +of including his name in the list of those who expiated their treason +on the field of Bagumbayan, they foolishly gave him his liberty. + +Once more free, Mabini left Manila for his own pueblo of Tanauan +where he lived quietly till Aguinaldo was brought over in 1898 by +Admiral Dewey to serve as a bush-beater to the American forces. Mabini +was thereupon carried from Tanauan to Cavite where he joined the +faithless Magdalo. + +In Cavite he drew up a project of a constitutional law for the +Philippines. In the first page of this he affirmed that the precepts +of the Ten Commandments were an invention of the friars! And yet Mabini +was the Filipino Solomon. He instructed the people that they ought not +to believe in the said decalogue or practice what it commanded, but +that they should only practice the precepts of the Verdadero Decalogo +which he prepared and gave to the public as their spiritual guide. + +Mabini very soon became radical and decidedly anti-American in his +ideas, and succeeded in attaining such moral ascendancy over Aguinaldo +that the latter ceased to be the leader of the people and the true +dictator of the Filipino republic, becoming a toy in the hands of a +man who could twist and turn him here and there at his will. + +Mabini refused to take the oath of allegiance and was, on the 7th +of January 1901 deported under General Order No. 4 to the island of +Guam, as one of the persons "whose acts clearly demonstrate them to +be favorers or sympathizers with the insurrection." + + + +Note 102. The advanced political ideas held and propagated by the +separatists were not bad in themselves; no particular objection can be +raised against them as political ideas. But when we consider by whom +and for whom these "reforms" were asked, we begin to appreciate the +necessity to which the indian was put of endeavoring to attain them +by armed struggle. Taking away the revolutionary basis upon which the +plans of the Liga were raised, nothing remains but the empty walls of +a roofless building. These walls or ideas are contained in the plans of +reforms drawn up by almost every jackanapes in the Liga who could write +down his thoughts with any amount of clearness. These plans agreed upon +certain points, chiefly representation in the Spanish parliament and +the expulsion of the Religious Orders. These two points appear to have +been the essence of the direct aims of the separatists (see p. 69). + +Others called for the Spanish constitution with its consequences: +the liberty of the press and the liberty of associations. Liberty of +the press was ever an unknown quantity in the Philippines. The idea of +the liberty of the press is very beautiful when its liberties are not +abused; it was the abuse of what little liberty the press enjoyed, +in the latter days of Spanish rule, that induced the authorities +to impose such a close censure upon it as they did. Whatever may +be said in its favor, press censorship and such sedition laws as we +enjoy to-day in this nondescript piece of the world's surface, are +more proper of absolute monarchies than of territory of the U. S. of +America, although in our particular case we might as well be under the +despotic, ever deteriorating rule of Aguinaldo, as that of a body of +men whose intentions however good and sincere they may be, fall short, +when put into practice, of the proverbial ingenuity in governing, +of the famous Sancho Panza in his island of Barataria. Freedom of +the press is at times a blessing, and at others a curse. From 1888 +to 1896 it would have been more of the latter than of the former; +for giving such a liberty to the separatists who asked it, would be +arming the enemy with the best arms. + +As to liberty of associations. People in the Temperance world often ask +themselves, does prohibition prohibit? Some make themselves believe +that it does; but practice has shown what common sense tells each +and every one of us, that it does not; for if a man (and I do not +wish to be so ungallant as to exclude the ladies) cannot get what +he wants legally, he as a rule sees that he gets it somehow. And so +with the Filipinos who, denied the liberty of association, defied the +authorities and held their gatherings in secret and secluded places. + +All these various political ideas were decidedly advanced in as much as +they had relation to a people in no way prepared to receive them. No +father would put a loaded revolver or an open razor into the hands +of his child; but those were the very things the separatists were +howling for. + + + + + + + +APPENDIX A. + + A. L. G. D. A. M. + + G. R. Log. SUNT. + + "The executive Commission sends to the V. + Masters D. Deg. O. O. T. and O. G. + O. S. of the L. Log. of the + Obedience. + + L. T. M. + + +"Venerable Masters and beloved brethren. After our circular of the 28th +of May last it would seem unnecessary to remind you, that you give +the most exact fulfillment to those points which the same embraces, +the which were approved by the Grand Assembly celebrated on the 15th +of the same month; but nevertheless, as the time of our cause has +assured and all provision is but little in the present moments, it has +appeared well to us to direct this other circular to you in order to +fix more correctly the points which have to be the object of the most +exact fulfillment. We will now pass on to the enumeration of the same. + +First: The triangles will perform strictly all and every one of the +dispositions dictated by their respective presidents, and venerable +honorary brethren, not allowing the least or most insignificant point +to slip their observation, for even when it seems to our venerable +brethren otherwise, it is of the greatest transcendency. + +"The smallest omission in these dispositions might prejudice in a +great manner our labors, the fruit of many years of constancy and +hope of a sure triumph. + +"Second: Once the signal is given every bro. shall fulfill the duty +imposed upon him by this Gr. Reg. Log. without considerations of any +kind, neither of parentage, friendship or gratitude, etc. + +"Third: Those who on account of debility, cowardice or other +considerations do not fulfill their duty, already know the tremendous +punishment they will incur for disloyalty and disobedience to this +G. R. Log. + +Fourth: The blow having been struck at the Captain General and the +other Spanish Authorities, the loyals shall attack the convents +and shall behead their infamous inhabitants, respecting the wealth +contained in the said convents; this shall be gathered by the +commissions named for that purpose by the G. R. Log. and it shall +not be lawful for any of our brethren to possess themselves of what +justly belongs to the treasury of the G. N. F. (Grand Filipino Nation) + +"Fifth: Those who fail to carry out what is set forth in the foregoing +paragraph shall be held as malefactors and subjected to exemplary +punishment by this G. R. Log. + +"Sixth: On the following day the bro. designated shall bury all the +bodies of their hateful oppressors in the field of Bagumbayan together +with their wives and children, and on the site shall later on be +raised a monument commemorative of the independence of the G. N. F. + +"Seventh: The bodies of the members of the Religious Orders shall +not be buried, but burned in just payment of the felonies which they +committed during life against Filipino nation during the three hundred +years of their nefarious domination. (see note 26.) + +"And whilst awaiting the day of our redemption this executive +commission shall continue giving the sure guide which we all have +to follow in the presence of the facts to the end that none of our +brethren shall be able to say that they were unwarned. + +"In the G. R. Log. in Manila, the 12th of June 1896.--The first of +the long desired independence of the Philippines.--The President +of the executive Commission, Bolivar. The Gr. Mast. Adj. Giordano +Bruno.--The Gr. Sec. Galileo. + + + + + +APPENDIX B. + + +Under the title of "My part in the Revolution," Isabelo de los Reyes +in an artful attempt to defend himself before those who considered +him a coward because of his ever shirking that part of the task +of the revolt which naturally fell to him, gives his readers the +following information: + +"When it was desired to effect the manifestation of 1888, (see p. 60), +Ramos took me to the palace of Malacanan, to express to Gen. Terrero +verbally the complaints of the "country"; but I do not know why, +but on that day the manifestation did not come off...." + +"From the palace of Malacanan we went to the house of Doroteo Cortes, +who instructed me in the object of the manifestation, thus: + +"... We reckon with the pleasure of the Civil Governor Sr. Centeno +(see note 2) to make a manifestation against the friars, who oppress +us with their abuses, and oppose the progress of the country." + +"--Very good indeed I replied full of enthusiasm. + +"But my enthusiasm disappeared entirely when Cortes told me with the +greatest frankness, that they asked and were sure of attaining their +wish, that the Archbishop should be deported, merely for having failed +to assist at the religious functions dedicated to the King [94]. + +"I then doubted the ability [95] of the directors of the manifestation, +and believed that they would be irremissibly crushed by the friars, +who were very astute and powerful, as in fact it so happened. + +"I retired leaving Ramos in that house. + +"I immediately went to see his father and said to him: The +manifestation has fallen flat. I have come to tell you that in my +opinion, your son ought not to sign the instance of the manifestos. Let +all those who like do so, but it would be a pity that your son who, +in the time to come, may be able to render signal services to the +country should now fall crushed by the friars. Now that Cortes says +that he reckons with the authorities, your son's signature is not +very necessary. + +"And neither Cortes nor Ramos signed it." + + + + + + +APPENDIX C. + + +Confidential. + + A L. G. D. G. A. D. U. + + Liberty Equality Fraternity. + + Universal Freemasonry Spanish Family. + + +Sends S. F. S. to the Rep. Log. Modestia No. 199. + +"Seeing that there have circulated rumors among us that in spite of +the masonic secret, in spite of the secrecy of our works, there exist +in the hands of our enemies, lists of masons more or less correct, +more or less extensive, public opinion has shown itself anxious to +know whether we have been vilely sold.... And when the La Politica de +Espana en Filipinas has commenced to publish correspondence which ought +to have been carefully and sacredly guarded, this anxiety reached its +highest point, embracing the desire to discover the author or authors +although it would appear that the source of leakage has been found, +even though the form and details are unknown. + +"The presidency of the Cons. Reg. has not been able to remain +indifferent before the scandal which is developing ..; on the contrary +it has from the first endeavored to discover the truth.... +.................................................................. + +"I am sorry to have to confess that the hour of the revelation has not +yet sounded.... But incidental discoveries oblige me to break silence +giving the voice of alarm; and to what point this determination is +justified, you shall judge by the facts I am about to relate. + +"1st. Pedro Serrano, symbolic name Panday Pira, gr. 24, in his anxiety +to discredit local masonry, since this refuses to be exploited has +permitted himself to make calumnious affirmations to a foreign mason +concerning this Federation, manifesting at the same time pretensions +which are a sure sign of perverse intentions. + +"2nd. It is known that the same Serrano frequents the Archbishop's +palace and the College of San Juan de Letran with the peculiarity +that in both establishments his symbolic name in known, and he +has manifested in the formed establishment that he is a man whose +companionship is to be avoided because he occupies himself with +giving information. + +"3rd. It happened later on that the said Serrano presented himself +in the house of Sr. Marte, gr. 3, late secretary of the lodge Nilad, +demanding the handing over of documents of the secretaryship which he +said belonged to him, threatening that otherwise he would report the +matter to General Blanco, and the extraction of the documents would +be made by the friar parish priest of the said suburb. + +"4th. Lastly: in the meeting of the parochial clergy held in +the Archbishop's palace--the morning of the 13th of this month-- +... masonry and masons were discussed; and the Archbishop said to +the parish priest of Quiapo: you must tell the school-master of your +suburb that it is not sufficient to have abjured his masonic beliefs, +but that it is also necessary to fulfill the conditions agreed upon. + +"Consequently it will be convenient that you gather together the +Cam. del Medio and read therein the present document, adding the +explanation and comments you deem necessary, and that with respect to +the other CCam. you limit yourselves to giving account of the fact, +demonstrating its enormity, pointing out its author and taking what +steps are necessary to prevent contagion. + +Receive Ven. Mast. and G. bro. the fraternal embrace of peace we +send you. + + + Manila 31st November 1894. + + The Gr. Pres. + + Musa (Ambrosio Flores). + + + + + + + +APPENDIX D. + + +Anting-antings constitute the remnants of what was once, what might +be called the religion of the peoples of the Philippines. They are +most commonly met with in the form of amulets which their possessors +carry about with them to ward off dangers of all kinds. There are +amulets for protection against fire arms, against sword thrust +or bolo slash; against diseases of all parts of the body; amulets +against the bursting of fire arms or to prevent them making a noise +when discharged by the wearer of the amulet; against snakes and their +bites, against lightning; amulets to protect their wearers against the +courts of justice and against the authorities when they pursue them +for robbery. In a word amulets or anting-anting against everything. + +As a rules these amulets consist of small booklets containing prayers +composed of Latin and Spanish words mixed with words and abbreviations +of the native dialects. Some times they are stones or mineral deposits +found in the bodies of animals, or the seed portion of petrified +fruits, or even parts of the skeletons of children. + +Although one would suppose that such superstitions had long since +ceased to exist among the indians of the archipelago such is not the +case; and it is more than probable that the majority of the members +of the federal party and may be two out of the three native members +of the Commission carry their anting-anting carefully guarded in +one of their pockets. However their use is most common among native +doctors, that is those who have not studied medicine, but who dabble +in the art for what they can get out of it, and by tulisanes or armed +robbers. They were also much in vogue among the enlightened officers +and men of the insurgent ranks, many of whom considered themselves +perfectly safe from the bullets of their enemies when they carried +in their person an amulet or anting-anting. + +The following are samples of pages of one of the booklets found on +the person of a wounded tulisan. The first of these two pages contains +a prayer against fire-arms, and the second a conglomeration which no +one has never been able to decipher. + + + +---------------------------+ +-----------------------------+ + | talis misererenobis | | | + | Amin. | | Prele queno niar en res | + | | | tom Domi nom nos tom | + | Oracion de S. Pablo | | | + | contra armas de foigo | | | + | ip. Ntro. y Av. | | h [+] a | + | | | [+] [+] [+] | + | Jesus S. Pablo Ponitom | | Q [+] n | + | quiter Deus Salucam tuam, | | | + | Amin. | | | + +---------------------------+ +-----------------------------+ + + +Anting-anting is also found in other forms, sometimes merely a strip +of paper bearing some inscription, and which receives its virtue from +some action performed over it, such as the saying of the mass whilst +the paper is on the altar. + +A parish priest of a pueblo in a neighboring province once related +to me the discovery of one such an anting-anting in his church. He +approached the altar to recite the Mass, and upon genuflecting at +the centre of the altar noticed that there was something unusual, +although small, under the altar cloth. He put his hand under the +cloth to see what it was and found there a slip of paper bearing +three crosses, thus: + + + + + + + + +This paper had been carelessly folded and placed where he found it, +upon the altar stone. Had it remained undisturbed and the service of +Mass been said over it, it would have, in the belief of the indian +who put it there, become infused with marvelous virtues and could +have protected its wearer from the dangers to be incurred in the +armed rising against the Spaniards which they were about to attempt. + +In all probability Buencamino carried some anting-anting with him to +Washington to protect him from assassination or from ... nausea. + + + + + + + +APPENDIX E. + + + + Manila, 10th January 1897. + +"I Faustino Villaruel y Zapanta, 52 years of age, publicly declare +that as I was born so wish I to die--a Spaniard, a christian, a Roman +Apostolic Catholic; and that I detest with my whole soul any rebellion +or treason against our beloved mother Spain. + +"I also repent of having belonged to masonry and of having devoted +myself to its propaganda in these islands and having been such a +bigoted mason that I caused my two children to enter also into the +society I now curse. I counsel my children and all my friends to +renounce the said society, and beg pardon of God, as I do now, it +being condemned by the Church. + +"I beseech the most Excellent and Illustrious Archbishop to +make public this my spontaneous and free retraction.--Faustino +Villaruel. Witnesses:--the official guard of the Chapel, Antonio +Pardo.--the sergeant of the Guard, Felix Garcia." + + + + + + + +APPENDIX F. G. H. I. J. + + +These latter appendices have been suppressed in this first edition +for want of space. + + + + + + + +NOTES + + +[1] The numbers which will be found throughout this document signify +notes to be found in the appendix. The letters in brackets signify +footnotes of minor importance. + +[2] Barcelona. + +[3] About this same time a lodge composed of Filipinos was formed in +Madrid, and known as the Solidaridad. There it was that steps were +taken to catechize the masses of the Filipinos in their own homes. + +[4] In the Official Bulletin of the Gr. Or. Esp. for Sept. 1896, +Morayta, speaking of this association of separatists said: "It was +born strong,--the filipino colony numbered then more than 70 members, +by the side of whom labored several peninsular Spaniards." It is a +pity Morayta did not classify these peninsular Spaniards, for had he +done so we might perhaps have found among their number some of the +social outcasts who have since aided the insurgent element against +the legitimate authority of the United States. + +[5] These aspirations almost all turned upon the idea of +independence. The ability of the natives to govern themselves has +had many tests. During the last days of Spanish rule a taste of this +privilege in minor grade was allowed the native as a test, and it +needed but a drop of the independence tincture to put the patient +into a burning fever. It truly takes a visionary to claim for the +Filipino the ability to govern his own country. In the Filipino family +the woman "wears the breeches" and in the pueblo all is subservient +to the "boss", the presidente. The aspirations of the pre-American +Filipinos are the same as the aspirations of the Federal Party: +aspirations which can never be realized till the character of the +aspirant radically changes. "Filipinas" yet awaits in expectation to +find the Filipino who can govern his own household! + +[6] The executive committee of the Liga was composed of Moises +Salvador, Ambrosio Flores, Apolinario Mabini, Domingo Franco, Numeriano +Adriano, Timoteo Paez, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, and the brothers +Venancio and Alejandro Reyes. Testimony of Antonio Salazar. (fols. 1118 +to 1129). + +[7] The words Supreme Society express the idea of supreme social +situation, of a society formed of noteworthy people. A well-read writer +on the subject of "El Katipunan o el filibusterismo en Filipinas," +says, speaking of this union of such notable folk: "A reunion of +people who meet to concoct assassinations, cannot be a reunion of +noteworthy people but should rather be called a reunion of noteworthy +criminals." There is not the shadow of a doubt that this is the best +and, in fact, the only title to which such a society as the katipunan +can justly lay claim. + +Opinion is divided as to the origin of the word katipunan, and as to +the manner in which it should be written. Some spell it with C whilst +the majority use K. As to the derivation: the root word is undoubtedly +Tipon which, prefixed with the particle ca and terminated with an +gives us a word, which signifies very select association. The word +is however generally written with K so as to be in keeping with the +Tagalog way of spelling, as they (that is to say the "redimidos" have +taken to the use of K for C whenever C has a hard sound as in cat. In +like manner, to the insurgent and his sympathisers, Cavite should be +Kawite. The K and W are Blumentrittisms, i. e. of German descent. + +[8] See note 49. + +[9] The pseudonym of Rizal. By this name he is mentioned in almost +all the masonic documents relating to him and over this same name he +wrote in the La Solidaridad and the Kalayaan. + +[10] The place of Rizal's banishment. + +[11] Pio Valenzuela y Alejandro, a near companion of Bonifacio in +matters relative to the Katipunan, testified in his evidence in the +courts of Justice, (fols 1,663 to 1,673), that Andres Bonifacio had +read much, and possessed a library which was destroyed when his house +caught fire. (See note 16) That he would pass the night in reading +instead of sleeping, and that from such an excess of reading there +had happened to him the same as happened to Don Quixote--his brain +had become turned. Thus it was that Andres was ever dreaming of the +presidency and speaking of the French Revolution. + +[12] It was in the warehouse of this German firm that the Spanish +authorities discovered the documentary evidence which Valenzuela +testified had been hidden there by Bonifacio. It had been determined +by the Katipunan to destroy all documents, but evidently Bonifacio +overtaken suddenly by the unexpected discovery of the plot he was +developing, had not sufficient presence of mind, or what is more +probable still, enough time to put them out of existence, and he +therefore hid them as has been said, hoping no doubt, to be thus +enabled to put the authorities off the track in case they should +happen to get possession of them. + +[13] That is to say the Spanish population. + +[14] As the events here spoken of do not fall within the scope of +this sketch, no note has here been made of them. As was pointed out +in the introduction, this review is not intended as a history of the +revolution, but as a brief sketch of the society which gave rise to it. + +[15] Avisos y profecias, Madrid 1892. pp. 286-308. + +[16] Concerning the doctrines of Universal Freemasonry D. Gabriel +Jogand-Pages says writing on the subject of freemasonry in Spain: +"The teaching which according to the ritual of the 33rd degree is +the synthesis of freemasonry, is well worthy of being borne in mind." + +"In the reception to the 33rd degree, the Grand Master turning to +the person to be received, ends his discourse with the following +significant exhortation: + +"I owe you, Illustrious brother, an explanation which it is necessary +to give to our rituals." + +"Masonry being nothing else than active revolution, permanent +conspiracy against political and religious despotism,...." + + + +"The Grand Master innocent, you have already seen, is man ... man +who was born innocent because he was born unconsciously." + +"Our Grand Master Innocent was born to be happy and to enjoy in +all their fullness all his rights without exception: But he fell, +struck with the blows of three assassins: of three infamous beings +who placed formidable obstacles in the way of his happiness, and +against his rights...." + +"These three infamous assassins are: the Law, Property and Religion". + +"The Law because it is not in harmony with the rights of the individual +man and the duties of the man who lives in society: rights which all +acquire in all their integrity...." + +"Property: because the earth is the property of no one and its products +pertain to all in the measure for each one of the true necessities +for his welfare." + +"Religion: because religions are no more than the philosophies of +men of talent, which the people have adopted...." + +"Neither the Law, Property nor Religion can impose themselves upon +man, and as they deprive him of his most precious rights they are +assassins against whom we have sworn to exercise the utmost vengeance. + +"Of these three infamous enemies, Religion ought to be the object of +our constant mortal attacks, because a people never have survived +their religion, and destroying religion we have at our disposition +the law and property and we can then regenerate society, establishing +over the ruins, masonic Religion, masonic Law and masonic property." + +[17] "Insurreccion en Filipinas"; vol. I. p. 109. + +[18] One not acquainted with the seducing nature of the masonic +operation and the peculiarity of the native character, would wonder +to find the name of a Catholic priest so intimately connected with +freemasonry and its offspring, especially in a country in which +the Church wages close and continual warfare with the evil. There +is little need for surprise however, when we consider the seductive +influence of the one hand and the simplicity and childishness of the +native character on the other. Many of the native clergy were body +and soul wrapt up in the workings of freemasonry and were Spain's +worst and most crafty enemies. + +In Nueva Caceres, Inocencio Herrera, Severo Estrada and Severino Diaz, +three native priests of the Cathedral of that diocese, headed the +conspiracy against the Government. They formed a deposit of arms and +ammunition in the organ of the Cathedral and, according to the plan +they had prepared, one of their first steps was to murder the Bishop +of the diocese. On this point it will be interesting to quote the +testimony of Tomas Prieto, of Nueva Caceres, who, whilst on board +the S. S. Isarog, on the 20th of September 1896, testified in the +presence of the captain of the Ship and other witnesses that he had +received 50 rifles, 10 of which he had given into the care of Manuel +Abella, a millionaire of that province who was eventually executed for +treason; the remainder he had distributed among other persons, 3 being +placed in the care of Severino Diaz, parish priest of the Cathedral of +Nueva Caceres.... As to their plans of action, he testified that the +intention was to kill all the Spaniards, the mentioned parish priest of +the Cathedral, the coadjutor Inocencio and Severo Estrada, all natives, +having promised to aid personally to secure the success of the affair. + +He also declared that "on the 9th of July of the same year, a reunion +was celebrated in the house of Manuel Abella, and among those present +were Gabriel Prieto, a native priest and brother of the witness, +Severino Diaz and others; it was in this reunion that it was decided +to carry out the programme above mentioned." + +In both provinces of the Camarines many were mixed up in some of the +dirtiest work of the revolt. + +Innumerable cases might be mentioned also in which the native clergy +have exerted considerable influence against the American Government, +inciting the rebels to resist its lawful authority, much to the +detriment of the interests of the Church and bringing down upon +the clergy in general accusations of sedition and treachery. Juan +Castaneda testified that he had been initiated into the mysteries +of freemasonry by Severo Buenaventura, a native priest, coadjutor +of Imus. Buenaventura received his initiation from Ambrosio Flores, +now the Governor of the province of Rizal; he possessed three grades +and enjoyed the use of the symbolic name of "cuitib" (the name of a +small ant which bites furiously). Nine native priests were sent to +Manila from Vigan and La Union; all of these were convicted of treason. + +[19] The word in the original Spanish is madrasta which, apart from +that of step-mother, has the meaning of "anything disagreeable." + +[20] See note 26. + +[21] For the complete document see appendix A. + +[22] A contract was made between the administrator of the estate in +question, situated at Calamba, and Francisco Mercado Rizal, father of +the subject of this note, for the land the Rizal family occupied and +cultivated. This land measured some 500 hectares and was clear and +clean, the tenant having merely to give it three or four turns with +the plow in order to prepare it for use. To show the treatment meted +out to the tenant, it will be sufficient to say that the contract +agreed that the tenant should have the entire use of the land and +its product for four harvests or five years RENT FREE. As great as +this advantage was to the Rizal family it is but a little of what +was done by the Dominicans for that ungrateful family of filibusters. + +[23] Lawyer. + +[24] "La Independencia" was a revolutionary daily of four pages, +published in the Orphan Asylum of Malabon, property of the Augustinian +Corporation and stolen and eventually totally destroyed by the "ever +destructive" Tagalog rebels during the revolution. The first number +was published on Saturday, 3rd Sept. 1898. Its leading article is +an exposition of the purpose of the publication of the paper, which +was the defense of the independence of the Philippines. "We defend, +says the writer of the article, the independence of the Philippines +because it is the aspiration of the country which has come of age; +and when a people rise as a man to protest, arm in hand, against a +policy of oppression and injustice, it manifests sufficient vitality +to live free." This is a fair sample of the style of the conduct of the +paper. It is worthy of note that the history of the revolt has clearly +shown that, in the first place, independence was not the aspiration of +the people, but a fanciful hope of a handful of exploiters; secondly +that the country has not come of age, not having even reached the age +of puberty; thirdly that the people did not rise as a man but that the +Tagal "discontents" were the body and soul of the whole insurrection +both against Spain and against the U. S.; and finally, that the "policy +of oppression and injustice" was imaginary, the same complaint having +since been made against the Government of Washington as was then made +against the Government of Madrid. The quotation concerning Luna is +taken from No. 2 of the paper published on the 5th of Sept. 1898. + +[25] The principal works of Juan Luna are: The death of Cleopatra for +which he received a silver medal; this was painted under the tutorship +of Sr. Vera. Under the same master he painted the Spoliarium for which +he was rewarded a gold medal, but this not really for the merit of the +picture but in order to put an end to a rivalry between two Spanish +painters. On his own account he painted and gave forth The Battle +of Lepanto; this was received almost with hisses and was heartily +criticized. Also the Profanation of the Tombs; if anything this was +worse. As the savage nature which lay dormant in his breast became +more and more awakened his paintings became more and more decadescent: +his Pacto-de-Sangre, in the which he inspired the return to one of +the most barbarous customs of pre-Spanish times in the archipelago, +rubs off the last touches of the veneer of civilization which formed +the dividing line between the indian of the city and the indian of +the mountain and forest. + +[26] "Andres Bonifacio told the witness that he communicated with the +president of the Superior Supreme Council, who was Francisco L. Roxas +latterly, and Doroteo Cortes formerly; ... "Testimony of Pio Valenzuela +(fols. 591 to 597). + +[27] "... Doroteo Cortes and a certain Artacho were those who were in +understanding with the Japanese Government, which would find a way to +send people of the laboring classes to the Philippines, to the end +of seeking motives which might give excuse for a war between Spain +and that Power". Testimony of Pio Valenzuela (fols. 1,663 to 1,673). + +[28] "... The Supreme Council (of the Liga) decided to purchase arms +and ammunition in Japan, sending to that country at the proper time, +a commission to ask of that Government its aid and protection for the +Philippines, under the condition that some islands of the Archipelago +should be ceded to that nation as a recompense; ... Cortes, Ambrosio +Bautista and others being chosen to form the commission." Testimony +of Numeriano Adriano (fols. 1,309 to 1,312). + +[29] "It the having been known for some time that Pedro Serrano had +malverted the money gathered for Rizal, and for the funds of the +Propaganda, the associates of Masonry stopped the individual payment +of the 50 cents per month for La Propaganda...." Extract from the +testimony of Antonio Salazar y San Agustin (fols. 1,118 to 1,129 +Sept. 22, 1896). + +[30] For a description of anting-anting see appendix D. + +[31] Pedro Gonzales, a native who was captured whilst carrying +dispatches and letters to and fro between Manila and the insurgent +camp, was a man well posted in the doings of the rebels and was able to +give much interesting and valuable information to the Authorities. The +most interesting portions of his evidence will be found in appendix +F. In this matter of the flight of Bonifacio he stated that "it was +not exact as had been said, that Andres Bonifacio was in Cavite (at +that particular time), for after the defeat at San Juan del Monte he +disappeared with the funds of the Katipunan, which amounted to some +20,000 pesos, as he had been assured." + +[32] Having been asked during his trial whether he was aware of the +hiding place of Bonifacio, Valenzuela (fol. 600 to 605) stated that +"he was not aware of the place in which Bonifacio and others were to +be met with; that he merely supposed that Bonifacio could be found +in the mountains of San Mateo, in Tapusi, in other words in the most +inaccessible part of the said mountain range; because the witness +heard him say that he would retire to that point to dedicate himself +to highway robbery if the movement should not be successful. + +[33] "The generalisimo, captain Emilio, is very indignant with the +conduct of Andres Bonifacio, upon whose head he has set a price, +offering a good recompense to the one who will present him dead or +alive, for he says that he cannot consent to such a desertion after +he had been the principal promoter of the popular rebellion". From +the statement of Pedro Gonzalez previously quoted. + +[34] See foot-note page 114. + +[35] The head offices of the La Democracia in Manila are situated +on Calle Villalobos, a name which put into English signifies wolf +village. For the headquarters of such a scurrilous sheet and for such +a political party no better place could be found, for taking the two +at their very best they are veritable "wolves in sheep's clothing". + +[36] See page 60. + +[37] Nilad is the name of a plant, from which is derived the name +of Manila. + +[38] In an interesting pamphlet entitled "Vexata Questio", giving +a brief sketch of three centuries of history in the Philippines, +published in Manila in 1901, the author, in a foot note to page 28, +says of Foreman: + +"It should be remarked that this writer, in the first edition of his +work, claims to be an earnest Catholic. Dean Worcester, who copies +from Foreman's book some of the most drivelling paragraphs, lays +particular stress upon this fact. I leave it to the common sense of +any one who has read Foreman's history, or what Worcester stoops so +low to copy therefrom, whether a man whose Alpha and Omega is truly +anti-Catholic and often anti-christian, and the ink of whose pen +savors of Catholic blood shed upon the altars of Freemasonry can be +a Catholic, at least an honorable one." + +Foreman was a traveller in machinery and as such was enabled to +get to all the principal parts of the Archipelago. He was, as he +himself confesses, always well received in the pueblos, and greeted +by the parish priests (friars) and lodged in the convents free of +cost. Although Foreman did not perform vile practical jokes upon +unsuspecting and inoffensive hosts as did the now "commissioner" +Worcester in his travels, he did many things no honorable man would +have done. Although he professed himself a Catholic it was only for +"business" purposes; one has only to read the preface to his book to +find that out. + +Foreman was an Englishman, disliked by the English, despised by +everyone he came in contact with; and if the things said of him by +his intimate acquaintances, are true, then he well deserved the snubs +he has lately received all round. + +On the 17th of April 1899, before the members of the Schurman +Commission, Neil Macleod testified of Foreman, as follows: + +Questioned by Worcester: + +Q. Have you read Foreman's book? + +A. Yes; I know him personally. + +Q. Was he a Catholic? + +A. I do not know. + +Q. He says so? + +A. Yes. + +Q. He is an engineer, isn't he? + +A. He has been here frequently travelling all over the country, +selling machinery. + +Q. You know he attacks the Church? + +A. He attacks the church very much, and he ought to be very thankful +to the priests, for they have been very good to him; ............... +.................................................................... + +considering that he availed himself of their services and hospitality +all over the country, he should have thought twice before putting a +thing like that (his history) into print." + +Worcester was fishing for trout and caught a crab. He got enough and +the subject ... suddenly changed. + +[39] See Appendix G. + +[40] Philippinos: insular Spaniards, or Spaniards born in the +Philippines. Filipino: more commonly known as indio: that is, an +indian native of the Archipelago. + +[41] For this decree see Appendix H. + +[42] He was conducted from calle Iris blindfolded in a quilez (a +vehicle of the country) to a house which he later on discovered to +be that of Bonifacio, situated in calle Oroquieta. + +[43] In an official letter of the Grand Secretary of the Oriente +Espanol to the Lodge Nilad, dated Madrid 8th of June 1892, the +secretary, warning the said lodge to be careful in the performance +of its labors says: "... not all men, although they profess our ideas +and doctrines, serve for good masons." + +[44] "The oath bound (the Katipuneros) as well as the militares +(the rebel army) were to be supported and equipped by several wealthy +persons of Manila, among them D. Francisco Roxas who was in charge of +the maintenance of the rebel army." Testimony of 2nd Lieut Benedicto +Nijaga y Polonio. (fols. 222-224) + +[45] See Appendix I. + +[46] Wildman will probably be long remembered by many who suffered +brutalities and tortures at the hands of Aguinaldo's horde of +cut-throats, inspired by the late Consul's advise. + +Correspondence took place between Aguinaldo and Wildman concerning +the Spanish prisoners. In reply to a request of the Dictator, +Wildman wrote: + +"Never mind feeding them. A meal every day, of course, and water +will be a good diet. They have been living too high during the last +few years. As the Spaniards want more bloodshed in the Philippines, +I trust you will let them have a taste of real war. Do not be so +tender with them, etc., etc." + +Little did Wildman think that the day would come when these words +of his would inspire equal or greater barbarity against his own +countrymen. + +The publication of the valuable papers in Wildman's possession at +the time of his death in the shipwreck which occurred almost at the +very door of his home would doubtless throw much light upon the past +four years of Philippine history. The shipment of tons upon tons of +ammunition, a large shipment of which left London on the "Inaba Maru," +on the 25th of September 1899, addressed to the "American Consul", +Hong-Kong, have yet to be accounted for. + +[47] There were always plenty of funds, but the money too often stuck +to the fingers of those who had the handling of it. + +[48] A name given among Spaniards, to young servant boys or girls. The +word signifies servant and is used as such in the same manner as in +British Oriental colonies the word boy is used,--irrespective of age. + +[49] Nipa.--Nipa fructificans.--Nipa is a small palm which grows in +salt water. From it the natives make a species of wine and vinegar, +whilst its leaves serve to thatch their houses. It is one of the +plants of most utility to the indian. + +[50] The reason for Rizal's deportation is set forth clearly in the +decree of Deportation which is given entire in Appendix. + +[51] As a sample of these statements I will quote the following +document, which is one of a number copied from a book of decrees +received by the Revolutionary authorities of the pueblo of Mendez +Nunez, province of Cavite, + + + "K. K. K." + "Chiefs of each pueblo" + + "In the urgent letter received to-day from the General (Aguinaldo) + concrete notice is given that to-day there have anchored the + warships proceeding from Japan to our assistance, and it is + said, that they are now just on the other side of the island + of Corregidor...." + + +This document is dated 11th September 1896, and is signed by El +capitan comandante, Crisostomo Riel. + +[52] What a fine president he would have made for the Federal +Party! Castaneda was worthy of an office in the Ayuntamiento with a +sign over the door--Hon. Juan Castaneda, Native Commissioner. + +[53] Ambrosio Flores: (bro. musa) was the Gr. Pres. of the +Gr. Cons. Reg. of the Philippines. (See note 23)--Moises Salvador +stated of him in his declaration (fols. 1,138-1,143), in reply +to a question as to the manner in which Flores was affiliated to +filibusterism, that "by reason of his high position in freemasonry, +he aided the ends of the filibusters, making propaganda among those +affiliated to the lodges." He stated, at the same time that Flores, +in no concept, formed part of the Liga or Compromisarios. It was +Ambrosio Flores who, at the opportune moment let fall the masonic +sledge hammer upon the back of Pedro Serrano, charging him with being +a traitor (see note 12) to the cause. + +[54] I have frequently quoted the "Memoria" of Isabelo de los +Reyes, because I consider that whilst in it he exaggerates and lies +considerably, there are yet points upon which what he says has all +the probability of the truth, in as much as when he finds it pays to +tell the truth he tells it. In this particular point, however, it is +"according to what is said." + +[55] How much this reminds me of the story of the little boy who +went to the grocer's and asked for 10 cents worth of molasses. The +shop-keeper measured out the molasses into the jug and asked the +little boy for the dime, receiving the reply: "its at the bottom of +the jug." And that's just where the other little boy's money would +have been. + +[56] In the official extract of advice given by the Secret Service to +the Gov. Gen. Blanco, we read: "Aug 1. Notice is hereby given that, +by references from Japan, the Gov. Gen. has received from the Emperor +of that nation some messages which had been directed to him by some +22,000 Filipinos in representation of the native inhabitants of these +islands, and in the which, after congratulating him for his triumphs +over the Chinese Empire, asks his protection and shelter for this +Archipelago, and its annexation to the Japanese Empire." + +[57] The word Kongo signifies Imperial diamond. + +[58] The Bazar Japones situated in Plaza Moraga. + +[59] Typical of the heads of the twelve apostles of filibusterism. + +[60] In his "Memoria". + +[61] I am inclined to differ somewhat with this opinion. What is more +probable is that as regards the actual membership there existed a +gulf between the wealthy and the lower classes which was bridged by +the representatives of either association. I have not come across any +concrete evidence that the two elements really mixed, the one with +the other; the inborn pride of the Chinese half caste, the class from +which, the majority of the wealthy elements came, and of the indio +of money or political "pull", would not permit such a mixture of the +two associations Senor Valdes supposes. + +[62] See appendix A. + +[63] See note 56; also foot-note, page 180. + +[64] The witness might have added that Blanco as a mason did more than +"know" of it: he took no steps to counter-act it, till circumstances +demanded that harsh measures should be taken to maintain national +honor. + +[65] In plain English, this is a lie and no one could know it better +than the witness. + +[66] By an element. Even would-be-president Bryan has his followers +here. + +[67] In other words: he allowed a certain wealthy and influential +class of people to lead him around wherever they would, by the nose. + +[68] This statement is the result of either ignorance or malice. (See +note 97, 98.) This account also materially differs from the "faked up" +story of Legarda. How little some people know of the truth when they +do not wish to tell it! + +[69] This is another. Now that Tavera and Legarda are side by side in +the U. S. Commission they might compare their testimony with advantage: +it might aid them to preserve somewhat of the truth in future. + +[70] It would be interesting to know just how many of the late +insurgents who now hold position of importance under the Government, +are following up this piece of advice of Aguinaldo. + +[71] Domestic: i. e., made for household use, for cutting up meat, +cutting down bamboos, and in fact for every use for which a knife or +chopper is needed. + +[72] Castillo y Jimenez; El Katipunan o el filibusterismo en Filipinas: +pp. 128-129. + +[73] That is men of the lower classes, laborers. + +[74] It is difficult to determine whether such statements are due +to ignorance or to malice. The real truth of the situation is that +although the friar came to the Philippines to perform sacerdotal +duties and preach the Gospel, his beneficial influence was not +confined to the mere preaching of the Gospel. "What most honors the +whole membership past and present of the Religious Orders is the +intense zeal shown in the temporal as well as the spiritual welfare +of their parishioners. To merely defeat and drive out the bad that +was in them was not sufficient, for Satan finds mischief for idle +hands, and when one devil is driven out of a man he roams around +seeking other devils with whom he returns and re-enters the soul +and "the last state of that man becomes worse than the first." So +to thoroughly carry out their christianizing and civilizing purpose +they did their best to instruct their converts to occupy their time +in the fields, in the building of houses, of churches, of structures +of all kinds necessary. They taught them to be self-supporting and +to build up happy homes around them. The few industries, if the +little then done by the natives in the way of manual labor can be +classed as industry, that existed among the people at that time were +copied from the Chinese and Mohammedan traders who visited and traded +with them. These industries however were but crude as a rule; and +moreover the connection with these anti-christian influences had to +be cut for the moral protection of the indian and therefore the friar +missionary, ever on the alert for his children's welfare, instructed +them in industries which, whilst occupying their time formerly spent +in abject laziness, also gave them the advantage of money making. + +"As soon as the natives had become accustomed to living after +the manner of civilized beings, the friars taught them the art of +making lime, mortar and bricks and of utilizing these materials in +buildings and fortifications for the common protection against their +enemies. They instructed them in the method of tilling the virgin +and fertile soil, of utilizing the many streams of water that nature +had provided." + +And yet there are those who would make us believe that the friar +missionary has done nothing to civilize the Filipinos. To whom then +do they owe the civilization they enjoy? + +[75] Faith in their anting-anting; courage to maltreat and murder the +helpless and sometimes dying prisoners that fell into their hands; +and as to constancy...? The majority of the leaders eventually became +traitors to the most cherished ideas of independence. Three figures +alone stand out as really constant throughout the whole rebellion, +and these three are Aguinaldo, Mabini, and Pio del Pilar; and of these +three the most constant was Aguinaldo, a misguided man who deserves +far more honor than those who deserted him and who never thought of +raising a finger to alleviate his hard lot, a lot for which they are +morally responsible. + +[76] A kind of altar on which bonfires are lighted for illumination. + +[77] The name of this plant signifies that it possesses the power to +bring to life again--to resuscitate. + +[78] This granting of pardon to those who should present themselves +is contained in Art. 7. of the proclamation of the Governor General +Blanco, issued on the 30th of August 1896, and which reads as follows: + +"Art. 7. The rebels who present themselves to the authorities within +48 hours after the publication of this proclamation, shall be exempt +from punishment for rebellion, with the exception of the chiefs of the +seditious groups and those who relapse into those crimes. The chiefs +to whom reference is made shall be pardoned of the punishment due +them if they surrender within the fixed time suffering a punishment +immediately inferior according to grade." + +[79] Previous to 1896 Aguinaldo was an almost unknown indio. He was +at that time about 23 or 24 years of age, and like the far greater +majority of the indios of the archipelago had forgotten what little +he had learned at school. He was a lavandero ((Washerman.)) for the +Arsenal at Cavite, and possessed little command over the Spanish +language, speaking it after the Cavite style, de cocina as the +Spaniards say. He was the son of Carlos Aguinaldo who had several +times held office under the Spanish Government, and who was at heart +a bitter anti-Spaniard. Like the remainder of his fellow Tagalogs, +Aguinaldo demonstrates a different character in connection with +each event which takes place in his life. As capitan municipal in +1896 he was very Spanish in dealing with the authorities, but in +dealing with his own people quite the reverse. Like the Taveras, +the Legardas and the Buencaminos etc., he was an adept at political +lightning changes. Buencamino in one of his absurd articles to the +Filipino press (La Independencia, Sept. 6th 1896) speaking of him says: +"... all the Filipinos unconditionally obey the president Aguinaldo +seeing in him the messenger of God sent to redeem the Filipino people +from all foreign domination, and because they see in the said chief +the great virtues of fortitude, honor and magnanimity which ought to +adorn all saviors of their country." + +The belief among some Filipinos that Aguinaldo was a semi-God was +not uncommon at one time, and many hold to it even in these days. A +certain Bray (apparently related very closely to the bray of an ass) +went a step further in an article to the French Revue de Revues and +compared Aguinaldo to Christ, to Alexander the Great, to Mahomet, +to Caesar, to Napoleon and others! + +Aguinaldo certainly demonstrated fortitude, and did not sell his +sword to those he considered his enemies. His misfortune was that +he fell into the hands of such advisers as Buencamino and others, +who, after working up his stupid pride, deserted him in his hour +of need. Aguinaldo showed fortitude and was never a traitor to what +he considered the honor of his country. Honor to Aguinaldo in this +respect. + +[80] As to the goodness of customs read the testimony of the most +reliable chroniclers and historians of the earliest days of Spanish +history. + +[81] The pacto de sangre was performed thus: a wound was made in the +body of each person who was to form a party to the treaty about to be +made, and the blood that flowed from the wounds thus made was mixed +in a receptacle prepared for the occasion; each then drank a portion +of the blood thus mixed. It is needless to say that Legaspi refused +to perform such a savage, cannibalistic ceremony. + +[82] Worthy perhaps but certainly not legitimate. The Katipunan was +illegitimate from all points of view; nor was it a child really of +Bonifacio. The conception was of Pilar (Marcelo H.) and Bonifacio +was but the foster father encharged with the bringing up of the child. + +[83] A people's language is the expression of its sentiments. There +are in this archipelago, native languages in which no word exists to +express "thank you." + +[84] F. Buenaventura Campa was one of the two Dominican Fathers who +willingly devoted themselves to the care of the sufferers stricken with +the cholera plague which has carried off so many people both in Manila +and the provinces. He, together with his companion, P. Candido, bore +with remarkable patience and self-abnegation the troubles and trials +consequent upon the extraordinary plans adopted by an inexperienced +Sanitary Department for the treatment of the dread enemy. + +[85] Half mad. + +[86] Juan Utor y Fernandez (bro. Espartero) confessed that +Blanco was a freemason; he affirmed also that his masonic name was +bro. Barcelona. Lacasa, Lieut. Auditor of war, and one of the heads +of freemasonry in the Philippines declared that among the freemasons +of the archipelago was counted Sr. D. Ramon Blanco, Capt Gen. of the +Army and Gov. Gen. of the Islands. + +[87] The following interesting notes will give some idea of what the +Blanco administration was like. + +In the report of the secret police for the 3rd of June 1896, appears +the following:-- + +"Notice is hereby given of the confidential information given by a +freemason in respect to the reason why the masonic lodges are at rest, +and the attitude of Generals Blanco and Echaluce in regard to the same. + +"This freemason, Juan Merchan, says: "we are now sleeping; we cannot +work; we are tutored by the experience of the persecution directed +against us by General Echaluce. Until General Blanco returns from +Mindanao we can do nothing, for he at least does not disturb us, and +even helps us. The proof of this is that during the previous voyage +to Mindanao (of Blanco) Gen. Echaluce commenced to deport people; +but when Blanco got to know of it, he wrote to him ordering him not +to deport anyone without his consent, and not to do anything in the +matter till his return from Mindanao." + +[88] El Katipunan, etc.; p. 89. + +[89] Blanco, whether because he was bound by compromise, or because +of fear, heeded not the warnings of the approaching danger. As a +soldier face to face with an enemy Blanco was not lacking in courage; +but when the enemy was invisible, and more tact than courage was +needed in the combat, Blanco was like a little child in the dark, +frightened at the least sound--chicken hearted. It is certainly a +remarkable thing that bro. Barcelona had the courage to pass through +the ordeals of his initiation into freemasonry. + +[90] The head of a pueblo. The most ancient form of rule in the +Archipelago. + +[91] See page 63. + +[92] Pascual H. Poblete: a pobre diablo who speaks Spanish like a chino +and writes it far worse. Poblete is greatly devoted to cock-fighting; +but being as reckless in the enjoyment of this sport as he is in +everything else he undertakes, he finds his pocket always more or less +empty. To fill this pocket he is ever hunting up schemes to make money +in the easiest way possible. The subscription lists he has started +for various pious or patriotic objects are well nigh innumerable. + +The Heraldo de Madrid, of the 19th of November 1896, says of this +charlatan: + +"Well paired with Tomas del Rosario, the indio who, by literary fraud +gained from Senor Nunez de Arce a good position in the Philippines, +is Pascual H. Poblete also an indio ((If I am not in error, Poblete +is a Chinee halfcaste.)) and a person of history too. + +"His first steps in work in the newspapers of his country were as +translator of the Spanish text of a bilingual review into Tagalog. + +"He propagated political themes widely, but above all, those articles +of the Civil and Penal code favorable to his countrymen; to these +articles he added comments.... Under the pretext of competing with +the Chinese he founded a cooperative association which was the +subject of much talk. It was really nothing else than an association +distinctly political and eminently anti-Spanish. He however succeeded +in dissimulating, and when he created the newspaper El Resumen, +placed a peninsular Spaniard, a native of Aragon, at its head. He +then did all he could to gain the confidence of Despujols, whom he +visited every once in a while. + +"As Despujols step by step lost favor with the European element, +Poblete praised him more and more and this was, in itself, a good sign +of the direction in which was going this Poblete, a man lacking talent, +lacking wit, and enjoying nothing but an insane intention. During +the last years he made continuous anti-Spanish propaganda, and was +a bitter enemy of the Spaniards, excepting some few degenerates who +yet believed in the good faith of this pobre diablo." + +In later days he changed his religion--that is if he ever had +one to change, and devoted himself to sponging upon the Bible +Societies and the protestant and Mormon missionaries who came to the +Philippines. On one occasion he translated from Spanish into Tagalog +the Holy Scriptures, and seeing that never in his life had he been a +successful translator even of newspaper paragraphs, but could only +succeed in giving little more than a very general idea of what was +contained in the Spanish text, it was not to be wondered at that, +as a famous literary critic well versed in the Tagalog once said: +"Poblete's Tagalog bible reads more like a badly written chronicle +than a version of the sacred Scriptures. If I thought that our Lord +and his Apostles preached and taught what Poblete puts into their +mouths, I would go to China and become a disciple of Confucius." + +In the latter days of Spanish rule Poblete was always more or less +under the eyes of the authorities, and on the 17th of April 1896 the +Secret Police asked of General Blanco the necessary permission to +search the houses of several highly suspicious people, among them +that of Pascual H. Poblete. + +Our hero figured at one time as an expert in the raising of +subscriptions for monuments and if I am not very much mistaken, +he once had a hand in the raising of money for the coming monument +to Rizal the hero and martyr of the Filipino Libre party. It would +be very interesting to know what became of all the funds that passed +through his hands: the majority apparently went to back his favorite +birds at the cock-pits. + +Since the American occupation Poblete's chief enterprise, apart +from cock-fighting and "sponging upon the ignorantes who listened +to his ravings with more or less favor because he was a protestant, +was the editing and publishing of a dirty little "sheet" known as +the Ang Kapatid nang Bayan." In this so called newspaper Poblete +aired his radical political ideas with such vigor that the Provost +Marshal was compelled to call him down. The pobre diablo then turned +his attention to another pastime which would combine the advantages of +demonstrating his unsurpassable abilities, of airing his opinions and, +last mentioned but of the greatest importance, the quality of putting +into his pocket a goodly number of easily earned dollars. This pastime +took the shape of a theatrical enterprise: Constancia, the daughter of +the said mountebank "composed and wrote" a play entitled Ang Pag Ibig +Sa Lupang Tinubinan: For the Love of Country. Poblete's better half +(which is not saying much) played the part of the heroine. The whole +play was incendiary in the extreme and the audience being Tagalogs +of the lowest and most ignorant class, the result was that they were +thrown into a state of the greatest frenzy. Poblete put this play +on the boards of the Teatro Oriental. All went well in the first +acts; and following out the "plot" of the play, the town of Imus was +supposed to have been taken by the rebels. Dramatic shouts of Viva La +Independencia; were raised from time to time by the actors, followed by +shouts from the audience of Viva Filipinas! Viva Aguinaldo! Suddenly +there rushed from the "wings" a gaudy looking creature who ought to +have been the Tondo market selling cockles and crabs; this turned out +to be the heroine. In one hand she held a revolutionary flag and in +the other a bolo. Viva La Independencia was the shout which almost +raised the roof; but as fate would have it Poblete was doomed to be +humbled to the dust. Just as he was promising himself a fine string +of dollars from his new enterprise Capt. Lara and a number of police +appeared on the scene, and Poblete, his katipunan banners and bolos +etc., were seized and the house cleared of its fanatical occupants. + +To-day he amuses himself in fitting out bands of little boys who on +"state" occasions parade the streets with American flags and Japanese +lanterns, and placards with various inscriptions, the chief ones +being petitions for an amnesty on behalf of all those who have "done +what they ought not to have done". Poblete would open the doors of +the prisons of the Archipelago and let loose all their occupants. The +result? A political boom for Poblete, an increase in the membership of +the Partido Nacionalista and an increase of crime to a thousand fold, +not only in Manila but throughout the whole archipelago. + +Poor Poblete a pobre infeliz, a stain upon the good name of the +filipino. But then, what would Filipinas be without her Poblete; +almost like a cat without fleas. + +[93] Cruz Herrera, now alcalde of Manila, was another upon whom the +authorities took pity on account of the rheumatism from which he +suffered to such an extent that he could scarcely walk. + +[94] This was Alfonso XII. the anniversary of whose death fell of the +25th of November. Archbishop Payo had been suffering for a considerable +time from dysentery. Apart from this, the bitterness of the official +relations at that time between the civil and ecclesiastical authorities +had completely incapacitated the venerable prelate from attending +to his official duties. Consequently, acting upon the advice of his +physician, the Archbishop left Manila for Navotas for a few days of +complete rest. The departure of the Archbishop happened to almost +coincide with the anniversary of the death of the King; but as the +prelate was physically unable to attend to the pontifical ceremonies +which were to be held on that day and to the other functions consequent +upon such a solemn occasion, he was wisely advised to absent himself +from the city. + +Freemasonry ever on the watch, saw in this an opportunity to attack +the Religious Orders, and taking advantage of it, demanded: "The +insult committed by the archbishop being therefore very culpable, +and having caused the greatest indignation to the government, to +the nation, and in particular to those of this country, as devoted +to their king; it is indispensable to expel him from this soil, +imposing upon him the penalty of temporary banishment marked out by +article 142 of the penal code. + +[95] To judge from his writing, Isabelo held the idea that he alone +was able to direct everything connected with the revolt. Isabelo +takes upon himself the intellectual work of the affair leaving to +others the dirty work. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Katipunan, by +J. Brecknock Watson (AKA Francis St. Clair) + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KATIPUNAN *** + +***** This file should be named 37587.txt or 37587.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/5/8/37587/ + +Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net/ for Project +Gutenberg. (This book was produced from scanned images of +public domain material from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |