suburbs is only a question of time. The whole of the Filipino strength will now be devoted to the protection of their country outside Manila. The Americans will have to depend on their food supply from abroad, as the force holding the mountains around Manila will effectually cut off supplies from the interior.

"It only remains for me to deny the statements that Agoncillo ever advised or instigated hostilities. On the contrary, he and the European junta have never ceased to advise Aguinaldo not to commence hostilities. At the same time it was felt by the Filipino leaders in Manila that the attempt to land American re-inforcements was nothing but a threat, and this, added to the unwise proclamation of General Otis refusing all political rights to the natives and inaugurating a military regime had further inflamed native opinion."

D. Aguinaldo's Account in his Proclamations declaring War. FIRST PROCLAMATION.*

"Nine o'clock p. m., this date, I received from Caloocan station a message communicated to me that the American forces, without prior notification or any just motive, attacked our camp at San Juan del Monte and our forces garrisoning the blockhouses around the outskirts of Manila, causing losses among our soldiers, who, in view of this unexpected aggression and of the decided attack of the aggressors were obliged to defend themselves until the firing became general all along the line.

"No one can deplore more than I this rupture of hostilities. I have a clear conscience that I have endeavored to avoid it at all costs, using all my efforts to preserve friendship with the army of occupation, even at the cost of not a few humiliations and many sacrificed rights.

"But it is my unavoidable duty to maintain the integrity of the national honor and that of the army so unjustly

*Senate Document 208, 56th Congress, Ist Sess., page 104.

AGUINALDO CLAIMS WE WERE AGGRESSORS.

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attacked by those who, posing as our friends and liberators, attempted to dominate us in place of the Spaniards, as is shown by the grievances enumerated in my manifest of January 8th last such as the continued outrages and violent exactions committed against the people of Manila, the useless conferences, and all my frustrated efforts in favor of peace and concord.

"Summoned by this unexpected provocation, urged by the duties imposed upon me by honor and patriotism and for the defense of the nation intrusted to me, calling on God as a witness of my good faith and the uprightness of my intentions "I order and command:

"I. Peace and friendly relations between the Philippine forces and the American forces of occupation are broken, and the latter will be treated as enemies, with the limits prescribed by the laws of war.

"2. American soldiers who may be captured by the Philippine forces will be treated as prisoners of war.

"3. This proclamation shall be communicated to the accredited consuls of Manila, and to Congress, in order that it may accord with the suspension of the constitutional guaranties and the resulting declaration of war.

"Given at Malolos February 4, 1899.

"EMILIO AGUINALDO, General-in-Chief."

[NOTE. It appears from the above that Aguinaldo was in Malolos, when the outbreak occurred.]

SECOND PROCLAMATION.*

"By my proclamation of yesterday I have published the outbreak of hostilities between the Philippine forces and the American forces of occupation in Manila, unjustly and unexpectedly provoked by the latter.

"In my manifest of January 8 last I published the grievances suffered by the Philippine forces at the hands of the army of occupation. The constant outrages and taunts,

* Senate Document 208, page 105.

which have caused the misery of the people of Manila, and, finally, the useless conferences and the contempt shown the Philippine Government prove the premeditated transgression of justice and liberty.

"I know that war has always produced great losses: I know that the Philippine people have not yet recovered from past losses and are not in the condition to endure others. But I also know by experience how bitter is slavery, and by experience I know that we should sacrifice all on the altar of our honor and of the national integrity so unjustly attacked.

"I have tried to avoid, as far as it has been possible for me to do so, armed conflict, in my endeavors to assure our independence by pacific means and to avoid more costly sacrifices. But all my efforts have been useless against the measureless pride of the American Government and of its representatives in these islands, who have treated me as a rebel because I defend the sacred interests of my country and do not make myself an instrument of their dastardly intentions.

"Past campaigns will have convinced you that the people are strong when they wish to be. Without arms we have driven from our beloved country our ancient masters, and without arms we can repulse the foreign invasion as long as we wish to do so. Providence always has means in reserve and prompt help for the weak in order that they may not be annihilated by the strong; that justice may be done and humanity progress.

"Be not discouraged. Our independence has been watered by the generous blood of our martyrs. Blood which may be shed in the future will strengthen it. Nature has never despised generous sacrifices.

"But remember that in order that our efforts may not be wasted, that our vows may be listened to, that our ends may be gained, it is indispensable that we adjust our actions to the rules of law and of right, learning to triumph over our enemies and to conquer our own evil passions.

II. LATER ACCOUNTS OF THE OUTBREAK.

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1. Secretary Root's Account.*

"The principal military operations of the year have been in the Philippine Islands. At the date of the last annual report the Eighth Army Corps, under the command of Brig. Gen. E. S. Otis, held possession of the city of Manila under the provisions of the protocol of August 12, 1898, which required the United States to occupy and hold that city pending the conclusion of the treaty of peace, and which imposed upon the troops in possession at once the obligation to protect life and property within the city and refrain from infringing upon the Spanish territory outside of the city limits. In the performance of this duty many annoyances were experienced from the army of the Tagalogs, who were in insurrection against the Government of Spain, and who had been collected about the city after its capture by the American forces had become inevitable, under the promise of their leaders that they should share in the plunder of the inhabitants.

"General Otis was ordered to avoid any conflict with them, and, strictly complying with these orders, he made every effort to secure a peaceable understanding. The peaceable attitude of the American forces was unfortunately misconstrued as indicating weakness and fear of a conflict.

night of the 4th of February, 1899, our forces were attacked by the Tagalogs, who attempted to capture the city. They were promptly repulsed in a series of active engagements which extended through the night of the 4th and the 5th, 6th and 10th days of February. Our lines were extended and established at a considerable distance from the city in every direction. On the 22d of February a concerted rising

* Report of the Secretary of War for 1899, page 7.

of the Tagalogs in the city of Manila, of whom there were about 200,000, was attempted, under instructions to massacre all the Americans and Europeans in the city. This attempt was promptly suppressed and the city was placed under strict control."

[NOTE: Secretary Root, in his speech at Canton, Ohio, October 24, 1900, summarized the outbreak as follows: *]

"On the 4th of February, two days before the Senate approved the treaty, an army of Tagalogs, a tribe inhabiting the central part of Luzon, under the leadership of Aguinaldo, a Chinese half-breed, attacked, in vastly superior numbers, our little army in the possession of Manila, and, after a desperate and bloody fight, was repulsed in every direction. The treaty was confirmed by the Senate with the full knowledge of that attack."

2. Account of the Schurman Commission.†

"Danger signals now multiplied. Aguinaldo endeavored to get the war making power transferred from congress to himself. He also urged a heavy bond issue to secure one million dollars for the purchase of arms and ammunition. It is now known that elaborate plans had been perfected for a simultaneous attack by the forces within and without Manila. The militia within the city numbered approximately ten thousand: they were armed for the most part with bolos. General Pio del Pilar slept in the city every night. No definite date had been set for the attack, but a signal by means of rockets had been agreed upon, and it was universally understood that it would come upon the occurrence of the first act on the part of the American forces which would afford a pretext: and in

* Speech of the Hon. Elihu Root at Canton, Ohio, Oct. 24, 1900, page 9. + Report of the Philippine Commission, Vol. I., page 174.