Militarism in the Philippines:

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Our leaders, Aguinaldo especially, having full confidence in
our ultimately receiving justice from America, have compelled the
Filipinos to quietly submit, but now complaints are being heard
on every side, and are becoming too strong to go unheeded.
What have we done that we should experience unfriendly treatment? Are the Americans our friends? The tension becomes
greater daily, and any moment a shot may be fired by an irresponsible American or Filipino soldier. The same thus started can only
l)e quenched in the blood of those dear to us both.
"We beseech the American President and people to help us
to control our own countrymen, by directing the United States
officials at Manila to temper their actions with friendship, justice,
and fairness. We suggest that Admiral Dewey, General Otis and
General Merritt, in Paris, be asked —first, whether, from the commencement of the hostilities to the present time, Aguinaldo and the
Filipinos under him have not acceded to every request of the
American officials? Secondly, when Manila was captured,
although the Filipinos had driven the Spaniards into Manila,
completely investing the city, occupying some of the roads
commanding the port and approaches to Manila in advance of the
Americans, were the Filipinos not entirely ignored, and not even
notified in time of the intention of the Americans' attack or informed
of the part they were expected to play, even if that part was to
stand aside? Thirdly, when the Filipinos, seeing the intention to
attack,
WENT TO THE' ASSISTANCE OF THE AMERICANS,
were they not stopped by an armed body and faced about, instead of
being informed by a friendly and peaceful request that they were not
wanted? This unexpected action would have placed the Americans
between two fires-the Spanish and Filipinos —if shots had been
exchanged in the excitement of the moment,and had n6t the Filipinos
then restrained themselves and obeyed the Americans, although
deprived of the fruits of victory and of participation in the final
triumph, after fighting all the way to the very walls,.and bearing the
brunt of a three months' campaign. Fourthly, when, after remaining
one month in the outskirts of the city, where they had been stopping
quietly in garrison, were they not ordered away, and did they not
cheerfully obey, although they had no assurances from the
Americans that they would not give back to the Spaniards the
Manila posts which had been vacated; and when they had been
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