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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