The development of Philippine politics

170 THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE POLITICS

When General Otis received this manifesto, he was at a
loss what to do, as he knew that its publication would only
enrage the Filipino people and widen the gap between
them and the Americans. So serious was the situation
in the Philippines that General Otis, whose very optimism
had misled the Washington administration, deemed it wise
not to publish the whole proclamation but simply portions
of it with his own explantions. "After fully considering
the President's proclamation," he explained, "and the temper of the Tagalos with whom I was daily discussing political problems and the friendly intentions of the United
States Government towards them, I concluded that there
were certain words and expressions therein such as 'sovereignty,' 'right of cession,' and those which directed immediate occupation, etc., though most admirably employed,
and tersely expressive of actual conditions, might be advantageously used by the Tagalo war party to incite widespread hostilities among the natives. The ignorant classes
had been taught to believe that certain words as 'sovereignty', 'protection', etc., had a peculiar meaning disastrous
to their welfare and significant of future political domination, like that from which they had recently been freed." (1)
In view of these considerations, he felt justified in amending the manifesto so that the ideas of "sovereignty" and
"right of cession" might be as little suggested as possible.
The authentic text of the manifesto, however, was published
in Iloilo.
Aguinaldo's Reply
In spite of the changes made by General Otis, the Revolutionary Government received the document with anger.
It was answered with two counter-proclamations by Aguinaldo, dated January 5, 1899. "The General Otis," said
Aguinaldo, "called himself in the said proclamation military
governor of the Philippine Islands. I protest one and a
thousand times, with all the energy of my soul, aZain.st
such authority.

(1) Gen. Otis Report for I$Si,:,p. ';t;, pp 7.