The sum total of Blount’s description of affairs in this, the most populous province of Luzón, is derived from the narrative of Messrs. Wilcox and Sargent and reads as follows:—
“In Pangasinán ‘the people were all very respectful and polite and offered the hospitality of their homes.’”[33]
Doubtless true, but as a summary of conditions perhaps a trifle sketchy.
Nueva Ecija
Nueva Ecija was the next province visited by Wilcox and Sargent. They have failed to inform us that:—
“In December, 1899, certain men charged with being members of this society [Guards of Honour] were interrogated in Nueva Ecija as to their purposes. One of those questioned said:—
“‘That their purpose was one day, the date being unknown to the deponent, when the Ilocanos of Batac came, to rise up in arms and kill the Tagálos, both private individuals and public employees, excepting those who agreed to the former, for the reason that honours were granted only to the Tagálos, and but few to the Ilocanos.’”[34]
Blount has assured us that the Filipinos were a unit at Aguinaldo’s back and were and are an united people, and here are the Ilocanos of Nueva Ecija spoiling his theory by remembering that they are Ilocanos and proposing to kill whom? Not certain individual Filipinos, who might have offended them, but the Tagálogs!
That there were other troubles in Nueva Ecija is shown by the following statement:—