BARANDINO TO MAURICIO, OCTOBER 17, 1901

Exhibit 1361.

[Original in Spanish. L . S. P I.R., 845.1.]

OCTOBER 17, 1901.

Seņor VICTOR MAURICIO.

My DEAR SEŅOR AND COMPANION: For your satisfaction I transmit to you the following flattering news:

A Commissioner extraordinary has come to the pueblo of Calbayog, sent from Manila by the U. S. Government of Occupation, with ample power to confer with our worthy General concerning the pacification of our beloved soil and the suspension of hostilities, and to treat concerning our political problem and to make the propositions which our General desires and the terms which he shall determine.

This Commissioner is called Seņor Arturo Dancel. He desires a personal meeting with our General, but because of the fear which he has of bad treatment to his person from our forces, owing to the ignorance or the fanaticism for the cause which they defend, he has asked the General to send one or two bright boys from our camp, and promises on his word of honor that nothing shall happen to them, and asking at the same time that the pueblo, point, or place should be indicated where the General desires to hold the conference and treat with the authorities, in order that he may ask from them a declaration of neutrality. He says moreover, that all that he asks of our General is to consider the matter and that Seņor Lukban is the only Nationalist Chief whom he can treat with authoritatively, and sends him his most cordial respects.

An official communication from the Local Chief of La Granja, Victor Reyes, says that German Steamers are sailing in our seas, and on our occasion in front of that pueblo a large white German Steamer with three masts fired twelve rounds against an American steamer, pursuing her until she hid in the Mauo River. Also that last month three steamers, one German, one Japanese and a new Filipino steamer anchored in the Bay of Sorsogon and sent a spokesman to the American Commandant stationed in that Province demanding that he should surrender to them. The American Commandant refused and thereupon 500 Filipino soldiers disembarked on all sides, reuniting afterwards in front of the barracks and frightened the Americans into laying down their arms. Indeed they made all the Americans of that Province prisoners including their Commandant and their Governor, Pons, who formerly was a Lieutenant Colonel in our Army. And all the merchants of Lavezares going and coming there brought all sorts of goods and are no longer molested in their voyages.

According to reliable reports, in Luzon as well as in the other provinces of our Archipelago our troops are fighting with more spirit and determination. Even the pacified provinces are giving the Americans a good whipping. Poor Americans, instead of finding honey they are finding gall.

The private citizens of the opposite coast are doing brilliant work at Quinapandan, Parik, Sulat, Lanang, Hermani and other pueblos of that region, where the citizens have succeeded in capturing many rifles and much ammunition in boxes, and in killing many Americans.

Four bolomen of Sulat, went into that pueblo, killing the American sentinel and capturing his rifle and ammunition. The same four bolomen entered the pueblo of Hermani likewise killing the sentinel and taking his rifle and ammunition, and in the fight eight Americans died.

A corporal of police of Lanag with nine policemen of his force presented themselves to the Americans stationed recently in that town, to whom the Americans gave rifles; and, when they had gained their confidence, they escaped with all the rifles and two boxes of ammunition. taking with them an American prisoner. Between rifles and revolvers there should be sixty more or less captured on the opposite coast by the inhabitants.

It is reported that the Americans at Gandara set out for Calbayog with the Filipino prisoners, but when they arrived at the mouth of the river they returned because they saw a steamer which they supposed to be German.

Major Guiosan wrote me that reports coming from Calbayog announce the death of the ambitious McKinley, and that he was assassinated by an American soldier of the Democratic Party with a rifle ball.

Putting all this together it would seem that there is much news favorable to our cause which is too voluminous to repeat here.

That you may be in very good health and that you may have many victories in your campaign and no casualties of other officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers is the constant desire of your affectionate and attentive companion and friend who kisses your hands.

(Signed) A. BARANDINO.

P. S.: With spirit and courage as companions our cause goes forward better and better.

Farewell.