increasing perceptibly. It was impossible
to provide shade for the troops in parts of the line.

On the 21st the following remarkable dispatch was received from
General Otis:

"Manila, Feb. 21.--Adjutant-General, Washington: Following issued by
an important officer of insurgent government at Malolos February 15,
1899, for execution during that evening and night in this city:

"'You will so dispose that at 8 o'clock at night the individuals of
the territorial militia at your order will be found united in all
of the streets of San Pedro, armed with their bolos and revolvers or
guns and ammunition, if convenient.

"'Philippine families only will be respected. They should not be
molested, but all other individuals, of whatever race they may be,
will be exterminated without any compassion after the extermination
of the army of occupation.

"'The defenders of the Philippines in your command will attack the
guard at Bilibid and liberate the prisoners and "presidiarios," and,
having accomplished this, they will be armed, saying to them:

"'"Brothers, we must avenge ourselves on the Americans and exterminate
them, that we may take our revenge for the infamy and treachery
which they have committed upon us; have no compassion upon them;
attack with vigor. All Filipinos en masse will second you. Long live
Filipino independence."

"'The order which will be followed in the attack will be as follows:
The sharpshooters of Tondo and Santa Ana will begin the attack from
without and these shots will be the signal for the militia of Troso
Binondo, Quiata and Sampaloe to go out into the street and do their
duty; those of Pake, Ermita and Malate, Santa Cruz and San Miguel will
not start out until 12 o'clock unless they see that their companions
need assistance.

"'The militia of Tondo will start out at 3 o'clock in the morning;
if all do their duty our revenge will be complete. Brothers, Europe
contemplates us; we know how to die as men, shedding our blood in
defense of the liberty of our country. Death to the tyrants.

"'War without quarter to the false Americans who have deceived us.

"'Either independence or death.'"

There is not sufficient reason to assume that this paper setting forth
an order to carry out a conspiracy of house burning and assassination
is beyond belief. It is characteristic of the Filipino literature
that relates to Americans. General Otis is a man whose communications
may be relied upon absolutely. He i