DIONISIO PAPA TO RUFO OYOS, MAY 19, 1900

Exhibit 1315.

[Original in Spanish. Copy made at Headquarters Dept. of the Visayas. U. S. Army. P.I.R . 970.4.]

MAY 19, 1900.

Seņor RUFO OYOS, General of Operations.

My DEAR RUFO: As soon as you receive this order, you will take steps to collect your soldiers as early as possible and visit the towns, inviting all persons to go to Bacolod, because the generals over here have not a moment's rest now but are fighting the enemy constantly. The 13th of this month is the day fixed for entering Bacolod, although I have received no official communication regarding this matter.

The deaths among the enemy at Bacolod were numerous, so many in fact that it became necessary to get carts to take them to the burying ground.

You and Captain Antonio must take the field this week without any pretext whatsoever, and must follow out my instructions very carefully. We have had patience enough, and now it becomes necessary for us to assert our authority.

It is advisable to punish by decapitation all those who go with the Americans; but it is necessary first to ascertain the existence of the crime, and if it should appear that they are real spies of the enemy, they must be beheaded immediately without any pretext whatsoever against it [being accepted].

You, Captain Antonio and Judge Cornelio must perfectly understand what this order says; when the wealthy are Americanistas, you must seize all their money, clothing and other property belonging to them, immediately makiqg an inventory of the property seized, and you may remain in the place where the seizure is made as long as may be necessary to make said inventory, even though a great amount is spent for maintenance.

Know furthermore, that if the soldiers take any of the property seized, they will speedily be put to death and will surely go to hell; therefore, when it becomes necessary to enter a town to make a seizure, you must direct the soldiers not to touch the goods seized, even the most insignificant, in order to avoid consequences of this character.

I have heard, Rufo, that Judge Cornelio is opposed to your father-in-law, and I want you to know that Judge Cornelio is of my blood; therefore, tell your father-in-law to be very careful because he will have me to treat with shortly, and will be made to pay for those threats which he is making against the people without good cause.

You will publish this order in the town hall, in order that the evil-minded may see it.

You, Captain Antonio and Judge Cornelio, who are the three comrades who are to take the field, will acquire some happiness if you comply with this order.

Health and Fraternity.

DIONISIO PAPA.

CALIBON, May 19, 1900.