Militarism in the Philippines:

located for months still further out, were they not then ordered to
retire even beyond the suburbs of the city, where no quarters or
shelters existed for the troops, and supplies were difficult to obtain;
and did they not then again obey, although, even in the event of a
Spanish re-occupation, they would have been no better off than at
the beginning of the campaign? Fifthly, can the cruel allegations
they would murder, loot, steal, and commit incendiarism, if given
a free hand, be supported, when they conducted their campaign
i throughout Luzon, capturing all the important points outside
r Manila,
TAKING AND TREATING WITH HUMANITY THOUSANDS OF
SPANISH PRISONERS
without being guilty of such acts beyond what accompanies
any military campaign as the work of irresponsible camp followers?
Sixthly, we beg that the American officials be asked also if all the
Americans visiting the Filipino headquarters at Malolos, travelling
in the interior, visiting camps and lines, and seeking favours of our
officials, were not uniformly treated with politeness and in a friendly. manner.
W"Ve invite the consideration of other points. Groundless and harmful rumours are being constantly circulated by
Spanish sympathisers with the malcontents, and are often believed
without investigation. Our protests were not heeded. All our
launches were seized, because of foolish rumours that we would
attack the Americans. We asked for an explanation, and sought
to recover our launches, but were not even given an answer. Our
enemies were delighted, and thus further rumours were encouraged.
Should not some logical reason other than mere report be given
for suddenly seizing our property? In Manila the Spaniards, the
late enemies of the Americans, were shown every consideration, but
THE FILIPINOS, THEIR FRIENDS, AND ALLIES, WERE OFTEN
TREATED AS ENEMIES.
Does this satisfy the American ideas of justice?
" The Filipino people cannot understand it. although their
leaders tell them not to protest and all will end well. We are
asked by the Americans to restrain our people, to avoid any outbreak pending the decision of the Peace Commission. This we will
gladly do, but we beg that similar iinstructions be given to the
Americans by the Washington Government.