ine people
might consider the occupation of its territories by North American
troops as a violation of its rights.

I comprehend that without the destruction of the Spanish squadron the
Philippine revolution would not have advanced so rapidly; because
of this I take the liberty of indicating to Your Excellency the
necessities that before disembarking troops you should communicate
in writing to this government the places that are to be occupied,
and also the object of the occupation, that the people may be advised
in due form and (thus) prevent the commission of any transgression
against friendship. I can answer for my people, because they have
given me evident proofs of their absolute confidence in my government,
but I cannot answer for that which another nation, whose friendship
is not well guaranteed, might inspire in it (the people); and it
is certain that I do this not as a menace, but as a further proof
of the true and sincere friendship which I have always professed to
the North American people in the complete security that it will find
itself completely identified with our cause of liberty.

I am, with respect,

Your obedient servant,

_Emilio Aguinaldo_.

CHAPTER VII

Interview with the Archbishop of Manila.

Insurgents' Deadly Hostility to Spanish Priests--The Position of
the Archbishop as He Defined It--His Expression of Gratitude to the
American Army--His Characterization of the Insurgents--A Work of
Philippine Art--The Sincerity of the Archbishop's Good Words.

The intense feeling by the Philippine insurgents against the Spanish
priests made it seem very desirable to see the Archbishop of Manila,
and he informed two American priests that he would have pleasure in
making an expression of his views to me to be placed before the people
of the United States. He had been charged with extreme vindictiveness
and the responsibility of demanding that the city should be defended to
the last extremity, when actually, in the consultation of dignitaries
that took place, and the surrender of the capital was demanded by
General Merritt and Admiral Dewey, he declared the situation hopeless
and that it was a plain duty to prevent the sacrifice of life. He was
overruled by the peculiar folly that has caused Spain in the course
of the war to inflict heavy and avoidable losses upon herself. Indeed,
the war originated in the Spanish state of mind that it was necessary
to open fire and shed blood for the honor of t