“In order to avoid the distress which the knowledge of the abuses which are already unbearable, daily committed by the troops of Señor Diocno, will cause you, this government has hesitated to communicate them to you, but, as there is almost a reign of terror here, it feels that it must inform you of them in order to remedy them. The death of private individuals and assaults committed in the towns are daily reported as having been committed by the troops of General Diocno. Of the numerous companies of Señor Diocno, only two under the orders of General Araneta fight against the enemy, the remainder are the terror of the town and it is a week since Sr. Diocno went to Capiz without telling any one what he was going to do.
“In view of the facts pointed out, the soldiers of this General constituting a constant danger to the town, this government asks you to order General Diocno to turn over his rifles to us to kill Americans with and to enable the towns to recover their former tranquillity; this government asks this of you, relying upon the well-known justice with which you act and it wishes for you many years of life for our liberty and our independence.
“Kabatúan, March 16, 1899.
(Signed) “Jovito Yusay,
“Temporary President.
(Signed) “Francisco Soriano,
“General Secretary.”
—P.I.R., 52. 5.
[8] “Martin Delgado y Bermejo, lieutenant general and general in chief of the republican army of the Visayan Islands.
“General Headquarters of Santa Barbara,