FERNANDO SALAS LETTER, NOVEMBER 20, 1898

Exhibit 1193.

[Original in Spanish. D.S. P.I.R.. 1046.1 . ]

Stamp: Provisional Regional Committee. Visayas. Iloilo.

In the margin: Office of the General Secretary of the Revolutionary Government.

Nov. 20, 1898.

Within a few days this province will be visited by the citizen Councilor of Government, Sr. Vicente Franco.

The purpose of his visit is to organize the towns of the same in accordance with the constitution of the Philippine Republic, for which purpose he will for the first and only time preside over the election of the persons who are to constitute the local boards during the next term.

He will also visit the public schools and colleges where there are any, nnd in towns where it may be convenient he will organize Clubs or popular assemblies, in order that social education in all the branches of human knowledge may be developed.

He will establish the civil register in accordance with supplementary legislation and by delegation of this Regional Government.

Although it is not customary for Governments to send a high councillor from its body to visit the towns, taking him from his duties in the Central Cabinet, this sacrifice has been made for the sole purpose of having the organizations of the towns of Iloilo serve as a standard for that of other provinces of the Visayas and Mindanao, where commissioners will be sent with the same end in view.

The Government hopes that the ardent patriotism of those towns will lead to a reception of the Councillor of Government commensurate with his high rank, and compatible with the democratic principles prevailing in the Philippine Republic.

The Councillor of Government will himself arrange his itinerary and one of his Secretaries will announce the date and probable time of his arrival in each town, as well as the military escort which he will have on his trip.

Let it be circulated, noted and returned.

PRESIDENTIAL PALACE OF SANTA BARBARA, Nov. 20, 1898.

(Signed) FERNANDO SALAS,
Secretary General.

To the LOCAL CHIEFS MENTIONED IN THE MARGIN.