This is a typical old-style well, with the family washing going on beside it. Under such circumstances infection of the well water invariably resulted.
A Flowing Artesian Well
There is no way in which the water from such a well can become infected. More than eight hundred fifty have been sunk, and the death rate in some towns fortunate enough to possess them has fallen off fifty per cent, as a result.
Aguinaldo’s reply, sent on August 17, 1898, shows that he had already made up his mind to fight the Americans, for it contains the following significant words: “The conflict is coming sooner or later and we shall gain nothing by asking as favours of them what are really our rights.”[104]
While negotiations were pending General Merritt sent Major J. F. Bell to Aguinaldo with a letter and also with a memorandum in which were the words:—
“In case you find Aguinaldo inclined to be generous in his arrangements with us, you may communicate to him as follows: ...”
There follow six paragraphs, of which the third is of special importance. It reads as follows:—
“(3) That I have every disposition to represent liberally the Government at Washington, which I know is inclined to deal fairly with him and his people; but not knowing what the policy of that Government will be, I am not prepared to make any promises, except that in the event of the United States withdrawing from these islands care will be taken to leave him in as good condition as he was found by the forces of the Government.[105]
Relative to the italicized portion of this statement Major Bell says:—