LUKBAN
present. Of the 40 municipalities of Samar, only seven were represented.
In the speech of Pardo de Tavera, president of the Federal Party, he told his audience, who were mostly local officials, that it was futile to continue the struggle as many Filipino generals had already given up. The insurrection had collapsed, he said. Gen. Trias, Aguinaldo’ s second in command, had already surrendered and was busy making the other generals give up. Generals Geronimo, Pablo Tecson and Simon Tecson, the commanders of Zambales and Bataan, had already taken an oath under the American rule.
But De Tavera could not help himself. He had to lie. He said in the same speech that Aguinaldo was already captured, when in fact the general’ s capture happened on April 19, that year. He added that Aguinaldo had taken an oath of allegiance to the American flag and had in fact issued a proclamation that“ their only change of happiness is peace under American sovereignty.”
Exhorting on peace and the blessings that follow, he said Gen. Fulton of Antique had surrendered with some 200 rifles two weeks earlier. Gen. Diokno of Capiz was wounded and captured, his forces dispersed. Now he was urging his men to surrender. General Capistrano in Mindanao had also surrendered, together with 180 rifles and 80 shotguns. Nobody now remained out but a few ladrones( thieves), he said, evidently referring to Lukban.
General Delgado of Iloilo, who also gave up, was recently appointed by the Commission civil governor of Iloilo. Instead of being an insurrecto general, he was appointed a civil governor under the authority of the United States, insinuating that the same would happen in Samar if Lukban surrendered.
“ The insurrection has collapsed. It is not too much to say that the great majority of the Filipino people are deeply rejoiced at the fact. Three years of war have taught them that peace is absolutely necessary to their prosperity, and their experience with the efforts of the United States to bring about civil government and prosperity, short as it has been, has satisfied them that that is the best solution of the problem,” De Tavera said.
De Tavera then explained the nature of the municipal government and of the provincial government provided by law. It was the purpose of the Commission to establish this in the island of Samar when practicable. The question when this could be done was in the hands of the people. If they united for the purpose of bringing about an end of the insurrection, they could do so.
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