YUSAY TO AGUINALDO, MARCH 16 1899

Exhibit 1237.

[Original in Spanish, L. S, P I R, 52.5]

REGIONAL REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT OF THE VISAYAS,
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT,
Kabatuan, March 16, 1899.

To the Honorable President of the Philippine Republic, Seņor EMILIO AGUINALDO Y FAMY.

MOST DISTINGUISHED PRESIDENT:

This Government has today the high honor of addressing this communication to you concerning the conditions of this region, both as concerns its interior affairs and also its relations with the Americans.

Since the campaign against the Spaniards until now this provincc of Iloilo is the only one which has suffered the hardships of the war but it is firmly disposed to maintain its attitude, unless you order otherwise, even though this should force some to die of hunger. This resolution has been solemnly agreed to by the Local Presidentes of this Province representing their respective towns in n great meeting celebrated on the 23rd and 24th of last month.

In order to do justice to all patriotic acts, we have the satisfaction of informing you that the Province of Antique, not content with sending us bolomen, has besides offered us rations which we hope will be sent soon because this will be a saving. Since all the men here are soldiers we have seen fit to order the return of the bolomen. In contrast to this attitude, Capiz submits to the Government of Gen. Diocno, remaining isolated for reasons which our commissioners have had occasion to explain to you. In view of this we urge you, unless you think it better not, to be good enough to order Gen. Diocno for political reasons and greater case in administration, to have Capiz join the Government of Iloilo. [Blue pencil note in Aguinaldo's handwriting, "Orders have already been given."]

It is four weeks since Gen. Miller proposed to negotiate with us. Negotiations have not been brought to an end, the other side not having seen fit to accede to our terms which are, the recognition of the independence of the Philippines and an understanding with your Central Government before further steps are taken. On the 12th of the present month the commander of an English cruiser asked us to open negotiations through him as intermediary, through which means he hoped that we would be able to come to an agreement with General Miller; we insisted that we could enter into no agreement except upon the two terms of the independence of the Philippines and a prior understanding with your central government.

This valor and strength have held back the enemy, which in spite of its powerful equipments, is obliged to remain in the neighborhood of Iloilo and Jaro where the Filipinos have dug trenches and hold themselves on the defensive. In the enclosed communication the General-in-Chief reports upon our military actions.

In order to avoid the distress which the knowledge of the abuses which are already unbearable, daily committed by the troops of Seņor Diocno, will cause you, this government has hesitated to communicate them to you, but, as there is almost a reign of terror here, it feels that it must inform you of them in order to remedy them. The death of private individuals and assaults committed in the towns are daily reported as having been committed by the troops of General Diocno. Of the numerous companies of Seņor Diocno, only two under the orders of General Araneta fight against the enemy, the remainder are the terror of the town and it is a week since Sr. Diocno went to Capiz without telling anyone what he was going to do.

In view of the facts pointed out, the soldiers of this General constituting a constant danger to the town, this government asks you to order General Diocno to turn over his rifles to us to kill Americans with and to enable the towns to recover their former tranquility: this government asks this of you, relying upon the well known justice with which you act and it wishes for you many years of life for our liberty and our independence.

Kabatuan, March 16, 1899.

(Signed) JOVITO YUSAY
Temporary President.

(Signed) FRANCISCO SORIANO,
General Secretary.