nd extreme views
were expressed; Pablo Mejia, supported by Julio Llorente and Father
Julia, advocated an acceptance of the inevitable under protest,
whilst General Gabino Sepulveda declared that he would spill his
last drop of blood before the Americans should take possession of
the city. But, in the end, Sepulveda reserved his blood for a better
occasion, and eventually accepted employment under the Americans as
prosecuting attorney in Bojol Island. Pablo Mejia's advice was acted
upon, and in the name of the Cebuanos, Luis Flores, the President of
the Council, signed a protest [226] which was handed to the commander
of the _Petrel_ by Pablo Mejia and Julio Llorente in the presence
of the United States Vice-Consul. The commander of the _Petrel_
forthwith landed 40 marines, who marched to the _Cotta de San Pedro_
(the fortress) and hoisted the American flag there in the presence of
armed Filipinos who looked on in silence. The marines then returned to
their vessel, which remained inactive anchored off the _cotta_, pending
the arrival of reinforcements which were sent to Cebu under the command
of Colonel Hamer. The provincial government was permitted to continue
its functions and use its official seal, and during five months there
was no manifest anti-American movement. During this period the American
commander of the troops adopted tactics similar to those employed by
General E. S. Otis in Manila against Aguinaldo prior to the outbreak
in February, 1899. Little by little the Americans required the armed
Filipinos to retire farther and farther away from the capital. This
practical isolation disgusted the several chiefs, who therefore agreed
to open the campaign against the invaders. Every act of the provincial
councillors was closely watched and discussed by the Cebuanos, amongst
whom an intransigent faction secretly charged Mejia and Llorente with
being lukewarm in their protection of Philippine interests and unduly
favourable to American dominion. Their death was decreed, and Mejia was
assassinated as he was passing to his house from that of a neighbour
a few yards off. Luis Flores had already resigned public office,
and Llorente was, at this time, his successor in the presidency of
the Council. Fortunately for him, whilst the murderers were plotting
against his life he was called to Manila by General E. S. Otis,
two weeks after Mejia's death, to become a magistrate in the Supreme
Court. Segundo Singson (afterwards chief