[1] General Monet (Spanish) operated in the north against the rebels with Spanish and native auxiliary forces. He attacked the armed mobs in Zambales province, where encounters of minor importance took place almost daily, with no decisive victory for either party. He showed no mercy and took no prisoners; his troops shot down or bayoneted rebels, non-combatants, women and children indiscriminately. Tillage was [[322]]carried on at the risk of one’s life, for men found going out to their lands were seized as spies and treated with the utmost severity as possible sympathizers with the rebels. He carried this war of extermination up to Ilocos, where, little by little, his forces deserted him. His auxiliaries went over to the rebels in groups. Even a few Spaniards passed to the other side, and, after a protracted struggle which brought no advantage to the government, he left garrisons in several places and returned to Manila.—Foreman, p. 390. [↑]
[3] Fernández, p. 251.
“That Spanish circles in Manila as well as the Filipinos were in expectation, late in 1897, and early in 1898, of the announcement of some comprehensive scheme of Philippine reform is apparent from the press of that time.”—Blair and Robertson, Vol. LII, pp. 200–201. [↑]
[4] For a full account of these difficulties, see “The Outlook for the Philippines,” pp. 77–98. [↑]
[5] Barrows, “[History of the Philippines],” p. 308. [↑]
[6] Incredible as it may seem, when the first anniversary of his death came, December 30, 1897, the implacable Interests made it an occasion of public holiday and rejoicing. [↑]
[7] With other evidences of gratitude the legislature sought to bestow a pension on Rizal’s mother. The character of this extraordinary woman was revealed again in her response. She declined the pension on the ground that it would lower the standard of patriotism observed in her family. The Rizals, she said, did not serve Filipinas for money.
José Rizal’s father died soon after José’s murder. His mother lived to see the Spanish flag pulled down and the power of the friars annihilated. Paciano Rizal was living in 1923, a prosperous farmer. Mrs. José Rizal joined the insurgent army after her husband’s death and for a short time appeared with rifle in hand in the trenches. Soon afterward she retired to a hospital, where she served for a time as a nurse. She then made her way to Manila, where she had a heated interview with Governor-General de Rivera.—(Foreman, p. 388.)