llion with their followers. The war would then be
carried on by roving parties who, from their hiding-places in
the forests and mountains, might appear from time to time, and
although of little importance, they would sustain the rebellion.

The generals agree with me that the peace will save the honour
of Spain and the army, but in view of the importance of the event
I consider it necessary to solicit the approval of the Government.

If the Government should accept the proposals, I will bring them
to an issue at once, but I so far distrust them that I cannot
be sure of anything until I have the men and the arms in my
possession. In any case, it is now the unanimous opinion that
the situation is saved.

_Primo de Rivera_.

_(Translation of reply)_

_Madrid_, 13th of December, 1897

President of the Council of Ministers to the Governor-General,

Manila

Colonial Ministry Code. H.M. the Queen has perused with great
satisfaction your Excellency's telegram, and commands me to
congratulate you in the name of the nation. In view of the opinion
of your Excellency and the generals under your orders that _the
honour of the army is saved_, the Government fully authorizes
your Excellency to accept the surrender of the rebel chiefs and
their Government on the terms specified in your telegram. Please
advise the surrender as soon as possible in order to give due and
solemn publicity to the event. Receive my sincere congratulations
and those of the Government.

_Sagasta_.

At the period of the above despatches the Peninsular and the Insular
authorities were living in a fool's paradise with respect to Philippine
affairs. Had it been officially admitted that those reforms which the
clerical party so persistently opposed, but which the home legislators
were willing to concede, had been granted to the rebels as a condition
of peace, "the honour of the army" would have suffered in Spanish
public opinion. Hence, the Spaniards' conception of national dignity
imposed on the Government the necessity of representing the rebel
chiefs as repentant, begging for their lives, and craving the means
of existence in exile as the result of Spanish military valour.

But abroad, where the ministerial denial, mentioned on p. 414, was
published by the foreign press, Aguinaldo was universally spoken of
as having been "bought off."