The development of Philippine politics

OPPOSITION TO AMERICAN SOVEREIGNTY 199
man wanting to deal with, Aguinaldo directly, and CGeneral
Otis being opposed to any suspension of hostilities.
On May 22, 1899, General Otis cabled Washington that
he had "denied request of Aguinaldo's commissioners for
armistice." When this became known in the revolutionary
camps, the leaders incited the soldiers to fight with all
their might since that was the only resort left to them.
On June 2, 1899 Pedro Paterno on behalf of the Council
of Government issued the following proclamation urging
the people to continue the war:
TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE:
No one is ignorant of the fact that since we took the
direction of the ship of state we have sacrificed ourselves
to the service of the government of our republic, offering
ourselves as victims for the sake of peace, without abandoning the sacred ideal of liberty and independence which fires
our country, but the North Americans refuse to suspend
hostilities asked for by us to consult the national assembly,
seat of the free popular will.
Well, since they wish it, may the responsibility for the
war and its consequences fall on the great nation of the
United States of America. We have behaved as patriots
and human beings, showing the great powers of the world
that the present cabinet acts with a diplomacy which protects
our cause as do the arms which defend our rights.
The council of government, deciding to preserve our republican institutions, national independence and the presidency of Don Emilio Aguinaldo, in spite of the Americans,
who intend to construct upon our ruins the edifice of tyranny, has concluded to continue the war, preserving unhurt in
their spirit and letter our constitution and laws, which we
have conquered with so much blood such sacrifices.
To war, then, beloved brothers, to war.
In order that the people be free it is necessary for them
all to be brave. Rich or poor, learned or ignorant, beloved
Filipinos, hasten to unite to save our native land from
insult and ignominy punishments and scaffolds, and from
the sad and fatal inheritance of enslaved generations.
The God of war, in whom we have put our faith and
hope, is helping us. Confusion, interior and international
di;ssensions and conflicts rend the invading army. Its volunteers, being aware that we are in the right, fight without