“Most urgent.  According to reports no excitement except in Bangbang, Tarlac, which at 12 A.M., 25th, was attacked by Tulisanes [bandits or robbers,—­D.C.W.].  The local presidente with his patrols arrested six of them.  On continuing the pursuit he met in Talacon a party too large to attack.  At 7 A.M. of the 26th the town was again attacked by criminals, who killed the tax collector, and others who burnt some houses, among them that of the local presidente, and his stables, in which he lost two horses.  I report this for your information.” [255]

Evidently tax collectors were not popular in Tarlac.

Still further light is shed on the situation by a telegram from the secretary of the interior to Aguinaldo, dated December 28, 1898:—­

“According to my information the excitement in Tarlac increases.  I do not think that the people of the province would have committed such barbarities by themselves.  For this reason the silence of General Macabulos is suspicious; to speak frankly, it encourages the rebels.  Some seven hundred of them, with one hundred and fifty rifles, entered Panique, seized the arms of the police, the town funds, and attacked the houses of the people.  I report this for your information.  All necessary measures will be taken.” [256]

Note also the following from the secretary of the interior, under date of December 27, 1898, to Aguinaldo:—­

“I have just learned that not only in Bangbang, but also in Gerona, Onell, and other places in Tarlac, men have been assaulted by numerous Tulisanes, armed with rifles and bolos, who are killing and capturing the inhabitants and attacking travellers, robbing them of everything they have.  The President should declare at once that that province is in state of siege, applying martial law to the criminals.  That—­(remainder missing).” [257]

The secretary of agriculture took a more cheerful view of the situation.  Under date of December 28 he telegraphed Aguinaldo as follows:—­

“The events in Bangbang, Tarlac Province, according to a witness here worthy of credit, have arisen from an attempt to procure vengeance on the local presidente, and robbery of Chinese shops.  Hence they are without political importance.  The tax collector killed, and a countryman servant of the local presidente wounded.  They burnt two houses of the local presidente, a stable, and a warehouse for sugar-cane.” [258]

Obviously the robbery of Chinese shops and the killing of a few individuals was at first considered by the secretary of agriculture to be without political importance.  Evidently he changed his mind, however, for on the same day, December 28, 1898, he telegraphed Aguinaldo as follows:—­

“I think it necessary to send Aglipay [259] to quiet Tarlac.  Send for him.  If you desire, I will go to Tarlac to investigate the causes of the disorders, in order to find a remedy for them.” [260]

At this stage of events Aguinaldo was summoned to Malolos by a telegram from Mabini under date of December 29, which reads as follows:—­