DEL ROSARIO TO VERDEFLOR, JANUARY 15, 1900

Exhibit 1404.

[Original in Spanish, A L.S. P. I.R . 1030.2.]

JANUARY 15, 1900.

Sr. EMILIO VERDEFLOR.

My DISTINGUISHED FRIEND AND FELLOW CITIZEN: I do not doubt that you have heard of the capture of Sudlon, which, however, was costly to the Americans while we had few losses on our side, and as it is absolutely necessary to continue the campaign until the struggle ends in Luzon, the General in Chief animated by the wish to prolong the campaign, has ordered that the forces under your command be divided into factions or guerrillas which shall harass the enemy without cessation, for which purpose I believe that you have been appointed commander of one of them on the coast on the other side, as may be seen in a decree of his which he will very soon send you.

My only intention in addressing you this letter is to recommend to you compliance with the aforementioned decree, as I do not doubt on my part that union and solidarity will finally arrive, as by the union and solidarity of those who fight for the same cause and march under the same banner, we will have the basis with which we will be able to secure our most sacred ideals. At the same time I recommend to you that after our guerrillas have been formed, which I hope will be as soon as possible, you will harass the enemy without cessation whenever he comes within your jurisdiction.

This system of warfare has been adopted, it being impossible to resist the enemy in open battle on account of their acknowledged superiority of forces and elements of warfare, and for this reason guerrilla tactics will be very prejudicial to the enemy because they would have nothing but hidden enemies who would continually ambush them and the expense of maintaining our forces would be smaller.

In view of this decree referred to, the zones are abolished as they must be dissolved on account of an early occupation of the towns by the enemy, from which time the commanders of the factions or guerrillas will get from headquarters the assistance they need for the maintenance of the forces under their command, as altogether it is not advisable that the commanders of guerrillas shall levy contributions of war of a direct character upon the towns. I do not doubt therefore, that you will agree with this for the common good.

Without anything further, I await all that you may order of your countryman and friend who truly loves you.

(Signed) P. E. DEL ROSARIO.