The following year trouble broke out anew in the Philippines. For the first time in the history of the Church in the islands the people demanded that the Spanish friars should be replaced by native priests. They were loyal to the Church; but they were determined to have men of their own blood to minister its offices to them. This trouble had been growing for years, and now that it was given open expression it became serious indeed.
In 1841 a very grave insurrection broke out in Tayabas (tē ä´bäs). It was headed by a native named Apolinario de la Cruz (ä pöl ē när´ē ō dā lä kröth), who styled himself “king of the Tagals.” He claimed supernatural powers, and by false representations succeeded in raising a following of some 3,000 Filipinos. With these he went to war against the friars. He murdered the alcalde of Tayabas Province, and made the people believe that when they attacked the Spanish, the earth would open and swallow up the foe.
MANILA BAY FROM THE CITY WALLS.
The Spaniards could muster but about 400 soldiers, and as many more coast guards and irregular forces. They marched out against Apolinario and his followers, however, and defeated them, although there was great loss of life on both sides. In Manila at this time was a regiment of Tagal soldiers from Tayabas. These soldiers mutinied, and would have joined Apolinario, but were shot down by the Spanish troops before they could leave the garrison.
Apolinario himself was of unsound mind, and when his followers began to see this, they fell away from him. If the revolted Tagal regiment had succeeded in joining him, his defeat might have been delayed; but in the end he must have been overcome. In all such encounters with the Filipinos, the Spaniards had the advantage of better organization. The troops were well drilled and trained to obey, and their leaders were skilled in warfare. With no army organization and no outside aid the Filipino people were helpless to maintain their rights. Nevertheless, it is not in the nature of brave men to submit tamely to injustice or oppression, and it is no matter for surprise that though each new revolt was promptly put down, the spirit of liberty constantly urged the people on to new attempts to gain some measure of freedom. From now on, these attempts became more frequent and more desperate.
Summary.—Trouble continued to increase in the islands. There was great danger from the southern pirates, and it had become clear that Spanish-American soldiers could no longer be used in the army. These soldiers sided with the people against the government. Large bodies of troops were brought from Spain, and the army was put upon a new footing. In 1828 a royal order was issued, commanding the growing and protection of cotton. Foreigners were forbidden to go into the provinces to buy land or to trade with the people. The government now tried to make the people understand that it was their friend, but the Filipinos had grown very distrustful. In 1836 Queen Christina offered to sell the Philippine Islands to France; but her ambassador, Comparvano, whom she sent to arrange the matter, burned the contract when he learned its contents. In 1837 the Filipinos demanded that native priests should replace the Spanish friars. In 1841 an insurrection headed by Apolinario de la Cruz, who called himself “king of the Tagals,” broke out. This was put down with great loss of life on both sides.
Questions.—Why were Spanish-American soldiers no longer useful in the army in the Philippines? Whom did the southern pirates capture and carry away from Manila? In what year was the growing of cotton commanded? To whom did Queen Christina offer to sell the islands? Who was the “king of the Tagals”? Give an account of the revolt which he headed.
