Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 September 1900 — SOLDIER. [ARTICLE]

SOLDIER.

Gen. Anderson on the Character of Our Filipino Allies. Theodore Saodico Issued the Proclamation Ordering the Extermination of All Foreigners and Filipinos Started Fires. Were any confirmation needed that the Aguinaldo party intended the massacre of all non-Filipinos in Manila and to burn the city itself, it has been supplied by Gen. Thomas M. Anderson (retired). He was in command of the troops at that critical time in Manila, and in regard to the wild statements of Senators Pettigrew and Allen he says in a signed communication: “Sir—ln the report of Senator Spooner’s speech in relation to the suppression of the Philippine insurrection, it appears that Senator Pettigrew denied that Theodore Sandico issued a proclamation ordering the extermination of all inhabitants of Manila —men, women and children—except Filipino families. I was then in command of the district south of the Pasig river, and found the proclamation posted in conspicuous places in my part of the city. I had them torn down and one translated. They were signed by Sandico. “I had received letters from him and knew his signature. Moreover, soldiers of my command arrested two Filipino men in women’s clothes setting fire to the houses in the city. They were brought to me and I had them turned over to £he provost marshal general. “Senator Allen also asserted that Senor Torres came into the city tnjder a flag of truce to ask for a suspension of hostilities. As I know that Torres was within our lines when the fighting began it is not apparent how he came in, when it seems almost impossible for him to have gotten out. On the sth of February white flags were hung out from every Filipino house in Manila, and the ’few Filipinos who ventured into the streets carried little white flags as an evidence of submission. Senator Alien’s reliable informant seems to have forgotten to mention this circumstance in saying that he saw Torres going to headquarters under a flag of truce. Torres naturally inferred, without consultation, that Aguinaldo would like a suspension of hostilities, for in front of our first division alone the insurgents had lost in one day 700 killed and drowned, 400 prisoners and seven cannon. “I send this communication to correct, so far as my testimony is relevant, a very erroneous impression. “THOMAS M. ANDERSON.”