MALOLOS, JANUARY 31, 1899

Exhibit 1224.

[Contemporary copy in Spanish. P. I. R. Books, C. 1.]

MALOLOS, January 31, 1899.

To Sr. ANANIAS DIOKNO.

My DEAR FRIEND AND COUNTRYMAN: The President has been pleased to transmit to the Government your favor and by it I have more fully informed myself of the events taking place there.

About affairs at Capiz, we are entirely at ease, because we knew from the beginning that you directed them and were regulating everything; but those at Iloilo give us serious uneasiness, not because they are in more danger from the Yankee squadron but because they might lack in the supreme moment the requisite unity of action. About you own chiefs I shall say nothing, because if you have had the necessary self denial to continue the struggle as far as that ignoring the dangers from the sea, you undoubtedly will know how to sacrifice everything for our ideals.

Our enemies, who were our friends formerly, are much put out, completely surprised by the uniform attitude of the people of Iloilo and of the forces under your orders. As a conflict with its disastrous effects offers advantages to no one, they perhaps may not provoke one while means may be found of weakening and subjugating us, and of those means the most powerful would be without doubt the dissolution of our union.

The government rejects entirely any idea of harshness and force and also anything like a threat against the Visayans, because the foreigners would immediately comment thereon and would invoke it to publish to our own people as to the foreign that the object of those of Luzon is to dominate the other islands under the pretext of a democratic government and above all because such a course would contrary to the sentiments of a democratic heart.

In the face of these considerations the Government has found itself compelled on principle to accept the acts accomplished, means to conciliate the Visayans so long as they may be for the salvation of the constitution and our organic decrees. Therefore it is that we have sent the instructions, a copy of which is enclosed. On the 24th we sent a communication, empowering the Federal Council to name commissioners to take charge of the elections in those provinces when they have not yet taken place, and to administer the oath to those elected in order that they may be able to take possession of their offices and fill them provisionally until this government, having received the returns, can send them their respective certificates.

After all the government cannot do less than manifest its satisfaction with your most correct attitude and congratulate you on your firmness in the fulfillment of your duties. You have not recognized the Federal Council of Iloilo for want of instructions from the Government and applaud you for it; and you are in that city face to face with the Yankee fleet undaunted by its menacing presence and ready to defend till death an integral portion of our country and the honor of our flag; and I applaud you for that much more. Continue entirely in that attitude which is the will of the people. Do not let our Visayan brothers say that the people of Luzon have sent them for their succor the dregs of their soldiery.

In the name of the Government I pray that you give to those there all the assistance they may need, to the end that they may understand that your object is to help them and to insure them liberty and by that means establish national consolidation. For there is no other way of doing than to treat them in the best possible manner as guests who help them in their well being.

And then, when your most noble mission is accomplished, come back to the bosom of your own beloved province, and you will have the inexpressible pride of having helped more than anybody in the emancipation of the Visayas, an important section of the Philippines and the Government can never forget your most meritorious services and those of your companions in toil, whom I salute with all my heart.

(No signature.)