“’It is my desire that our friendly intercourse and mutual amicable relations be continued; that they be not jeopardized if we can by consistent action avoid it, and such, I am certain, is the desire of yourself and associates.

“’May I ask, therefore, that you withdraw your troops from Manila?

“’Permit me to add in conclusion that I have that confidence in your ability and patriotism which will lead you to accede to this request.

“’I am, with great respect, your most obedient servant,

(Signed) “’E.  S. Otis,

“’Major-General, U. S. V.,

“‘United States Military Governor in the Philippines.’

“In reply to which, on the 16th, the following was received:—­

“’Malolos, Bulacan, September 16, 1898.

“’The Commanding General of the American Forces: 

“’My Dear Sir:  Referring to your esteemed communication, dated the 13th instant, I have the honour to inform you that I have given appropriate orders that my troops should abandon their most advanced positions within some of the suburbs, and that they should retire to points where contact with yours would be more difficult, in order to avoid all occasion for conflict.

“’I hope that by these presents you will be fully convinced of my constant desire to preserve amicable relations with the American forces, even at the risk of sacrificing a part of the confidence placed in my government by the Philippine people.

“’A consideration of my many occupations will serve to excuse me for not having answered with the promptness desired.

“’Your very respectful servant,

(Signed) “‘Emilio Aguinaldo.’

“On the evening of the 15th the armed insurgent organizations withdrew from the city and all of its suburbs, as acknowledged by their leaders, excepting from one small outlying district.  This certain agents of Aguinaldo asked on the previous day to be permitted to retain for a short time, on the plea that the general officer in command [180] would not obey instructions, and they proposed to remove his men gradually by organizations and thereafter to punish him for his disobedience.  The withdrawal was effected adroitly, as the insurgents marched out in excellent spirits, cheering the American troops.” [181]

I have given the facts thus fully for the reason that this is the one instance I have found in which a promise was made, fortunately in the form of an offer which was not accepted, and then withdrawn.  It has seemed to me that the reasons why General Merritt should never have made it, and why General Otis could not possibly have renewed it, should be fully set forth.

On September 7, 1898, General Otis had cabled to Washington that Admiral Dewey and he considered conditions critical, and that the number of armed Insurgents in the city was large and rapidly increasing.  He stated that on the 8th he would send a notification to Aguinaldo that unless the latter’s troops were withdrawn beyond the line of the suburbs of the cry before September 15 he would be obliged to resort to forcible action and that the United States would hold Aguinaldo responsible for any unfortunate consequences which might ensue.