etween Russia and France,
Germany and Italy and Austria, but, so far, we do not know that
Russia is the sovereign power of the French, nor the Germans that
of the Italians and Austrians. Senor Paterno further says that by
helping Spain in the war with the United States, if we die, we do
so in the fulfilment of our duty; if we live, we shall obtain the
triumph of our aspirations without the dangers and risks of a civil
war. Know, Senor Paterno, and let all know, that in less than six
days' operations in several provinces we have already taken 1,500
prisoners, amongst whom is the Brigadier-General Garcia Pena,
one Colonel, several Lieutenant-Colonels, Majors and officers,
besides the Governor of the Province of Bulacan, his wife and all
the civil service staff of that province. We also have about 500
Philippine volunteers as prisoners, of whom 10 have died and 40
are wounded, whilst among the European prisoners there is only one
wounded. This goes to prove that the Europeans were too cowardly
to defend the sovereignty of Spain in these Islands, therefore we
do not understand the appeal you make to the Filipinos to defend
Spain as a duty, when the Spaniards themselves are heedless of
that which ought to be a more rigorous and strict obligation
with them, seeing that they defend their own possession which
brings them so much lucre and profit. This does not say much for
the duty when the favoured ones themselves forget it and trample
upon it. To die to-day for cowardly Spain! This implies not only
want of dignity and delicate feeling, but also gross stupidity in
weaving a sovereignty of frightened Spaniards over the heads of
brave Filipinos. It is astonishing that in the face of such an
eloquent example of impotence there should still be a Filipino
who defends the sovereignty of Spain.

Remember, Senor Paterno, that we make war without the help of any
one, not even the North Americans; but no! we have the help of God,
who is the eternal ally of the great and just causes such as that
which we defend against Spain--our own beloved _independence_!!!

Senor Paterno concludes by explaining his political and
administrative principles on the basis of Spanish sovereignty, but,
as we have charged that sovereignty with cowardice and immorality,
we dismiss this detail.

To conclude, we w