BARANDINO TO MAURICIO, OCTOBER 17, 1901
Exhibit 1361.
[Original in Spanish. L . S. P I.R., 845.1.]
OCTOBER 17, 1901.
Seņor VICTOR MAURICIO.
My DEAR SEŅOR AND COMPANION: For your satisfaction I transmit
to you the following flattering news:
A Commissioner extraordinary has come to the pueblo of Calbayog,
sent from Manila by the U. S. Government of Occupation, with ample
power to confer with our worthy General concerning the pacification of
our beloved soil and the suspension of hostilities, and to treat concerning
our political problem and to make the propositions which our General
desires and the terms which he shall determine.
This Commissioner is called Seņor Arturo Dancel. He desires a
personal meeting with our General, but because of the fear which he
has of bad treatment to his person from our forces, owing to the
ignorance or the fanaticism for the cause which they defend, he has
asked the General to send one or two bright boys from our camp,
and promises on his word of honor that nothing shall happen to them,
and asking at the same time that the pueblo, point, or place should
be indicated where the General desires to hold the conference and
treat with the authorities, in order that he may ask from them a
declaration of neutrality. He says moreover, that all that he asks of
our General is to consider the matter and that Seņor Lukban is the
only Nationalist Chief whom he can treat with authoritatively, and sends
him his most cordial respects.
An official communication from the Local Chief of La Granja, Victor
Reyes, says that German Steamers are sailing in our seas, and on
our occasion in front of that pueblo a large white German Steamer
with three masts fired twelve rounds against an American steamer,
pursuing her until she hid in the Mauo River. Also that last month
three steamers, one German, one Japanese and a new Filipino steamer
anchored in the Bay of Sorsogon and sent a spokesman to the American
Commandant stationed in that Province demanding that he should surrender
to them. The American Commandant refused and thereupon 500
Filipino soldiers disembarked on all sides, reuniting afterwards in front
of the barracks and frightened the Americans into laying down their
arms. Indeed they made all the Americans of that Province prisoners
including their Commandant and their Governor, Pons, who formerly
was a Lieutenant Colonel in our Army. And all the merchants of
Lavezares going and coming there brought all sorts of goods and are
no longer molested in their voyages.
According to reliable reports, in Luzon as well as in the other
provinces of our Archipelago our troops are fighting with more spirit
and determination. Even the pacified provinces are giving the Americans
a good whipping. Poor Americans, instead of finding honey they
are finding gall.
The private citizens of the opposite coast are doing brilliant work
at Quinapandan, Parik, Sulat, Lanang, Hermani and other pueblos of
that region, where the citizens have succeeded in capturing many rifles
and much ammunition in boxes, and in killing many Americans.
Four bolomen of Sulat, went into that pueblo, killing the American
sentinel and capturing his rifle and ammunition. The same four bolomen
entered the pueblo of Hermani likewise killing the sentinel and
taking his rifle and ammunition, and in the fight eight Americans died.
A corporal of police of Lanag with nine policemen of his force
presented themselves to the Americans stationed recently in that town,
to whom the Americans gave rifles; and, when they had gained their
confidence, they escaped with all the rifles and two boxes of ammunition.
taking with them an American prisoner. Between rifles and revolvers
there should be sixty more or less captured on the opposite coast by
the inhabitants.
It is reported that the Americans at Gandara set out for Calbayog
with the Filipino prisoners, but when they arrived at the mouth of the
river they returned because they saw a steamer which they supposed
to be German.
Major Guiosan wrote me that reports coming from Calbayog announce
the death of the ambitious McKinley, and that he was assassinated
by an American soldier of the Democratic Party with a rifle
ball.
Putting all this together it would seem that there is much news
favorable to our cause which is too voluminous to repeat here.
That you may be in very good health and that you may have many
victories in your campaign and no casualties of other officers, non-commissioned
officers and soldiers is the constant desire of your affectionate
and attentive companion and friend who kisses your hands.
(Signed) A. BARANDINO.
P. S.: With spirit and courage as companions our cause goes forward
better and better.
Farewell.