The story of the Philippines, for use in the schools of the Philippine Islands

by Adeline Knapp

After this treaty had been signed, Aguinaldo and his thirty-four companions were taken to Sual (sö´äl), on the coast, under an escort of Spanish officers. Here they and their escort had a feast, and great good feeling towards Spain was expressed by the Filipino military leaders. Then the exiles were taken on board the steamship Uranus (ö rä´nus), for Hong-Kong. They sailed on December 27, 1897, with an escort of Spaniards of high rank. When they reached port, they were handed a draft on the Bank of Hong-Kong for $400,000, Mexican, the first installment on the sum agreed to be paid them.

In the meantime there was rejoicing in Manila and in Madrid. General Primo de Rivera received great commendation, and was publicly thanked by the government. On every side were words of praise for his success as a peacemaker. The Queen Regent presented him with the Grand Cross of San Fernando and a pension of 10,000 pesetas a year.

The people now looked to see the promised reforms carried out; but, instead, the government seemed to forget that any promises had been made. The Filipinos had laid down their arms, and there were about two months of quiet. Seven thousand of the troops were sent back to Spain, and General Primo de Rivera evidently thought that he had broken the back of the revolt. Business was resumed in Manila. The Spaniards went on with their pleasures, and matters in Luzon seemed, on the surface, to be as usual; but trouble was still in store for the islands.

Persons who had taken part in the rebellion were arrested, on slight charges, from time to time, and put into prison; others were openly insulted and regarded with suspicion, as rebels against the country. There were many executions, and instead of the general pardon which was taken for granted as a part of the treaty of peace, only a few pardons were bestowed. Time went on. No steps were taken toward making the reforms, and the Filipinos began to see that the government had once more deceived them.

At this time the Seventy-fourth Regiment of native infantry was in garrison at Cavite. This was a very old regiment in the Philippines. For many years it had been known as the First Regiment of the Visayas. In 1886 it was thought that by making the native regiments a part of the Spanish army another tie would be formed between the islands and Spain. So these were all numbered in line with the Spanish regiments, and the First Visayas became the Seventy-fourth Regiment of infantry.

Early in 1898, companies of armed men, whom the government called ladrones, were infesting the province. The country was in an unsettled state, and some of these companies—really insurgents who had taken up arms again—came into Cavite Province. On March 24, the Seventy-fourth Regiment was ordered out against them; but, to the surprise of everybody, it refused to go. The soldiers declared that they were ready to fight the enemies of Spain or of the islands, but that they would not march against their own people. Eight corporals were called out of the regiment, and the men were again ordered to advance, on penalty of death to all. All refused, and the entire regiment was sent to the barracks to await sentence. By morning it had deserted in a body. On the following day another regiment joined them.

On March 25 occurred in Manila one of the most senseless of the many tragedies which marked Spanish rule in the islands. This is known as the massacre of Calle de Camba (käl´yā dā käm´bä). A number of Visayan soldiers, in a public house on this street, fell into a discussion of matters of no especial importance; but they got to talking loudly, and became excited over their talk. Some one overheard them and reported to the police.

EMILIO AGUINALDO.

Without stopping to ask any questions, a band of the Guardia Civil came and raided the place. They shot down a large number of the people, and made between sixty and seventy of them prisoners. Some of these latter were men who had not been in the building at all, but were merely passing in the street and were taken along with the rest. Next morning the whole company of sixty-two were taken out to the cemetery and shot. The rebellion now flamed up again, and among the insurgents were two battalions of well-trained veteran soldiers.