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Lunes 2 de Mayo 1898

Una batería de 4 cañones recién montada en la escollera del puerto en construcción, ha sido desmontada durante la noche y traída á Manila, pues por su posición estaba muy expuesta á que la volasen los enemigos con una lluvia de granadas, (…) No ha habido bombardeo (de Manila), (…) A medio día después de telegramas cruzados entre el Gobernador militar de Cavite y el Capitán Gral. de Manila ha sido abandonada la plaza de Cavite por nuestras tropas. Muchos indios han recogido armas del Arsenal y las han presentado a la autoridades españolas de Cavite que han establecido su gobierno en S. Francisco de Malabón, Los americanos han tomado posesión de la plaza y Arsenal de Cavite.

Han sido propuestos y aprobados como medios de atracción: 1o el crear milicias de voluntarios indígenas cuyos individuos puedan ascender hasta el empleo de Coronel sin que estos cargos sean incompatibles con otros cargos civiles que puedan ejercer en sus respectivos pueblos. 2o Crear una Asamblea consultiva de Filipinas, sin poderes administrativos, en la que puedan ser admitidos entre otros, algunos individuos de patriotismo sospechoso que convenga atraer si darles armas de que puedan abusar. 3o La creación para los indígenas de títulos nobiliarios a que se hagan acreedores por actos de patriotismo y el abrirles el paso a los empleos públicos de confianza, incluido el de Gobernadores de provincia, cuando hubiese quien por su talento y probidad lo mereciese.

A battery of cannons recently mounted on the cliff of the port being constructed was dismounted last night and brought to Manila, because by its location it was so open and exposed for the enemy to blast it away with a rain of grenades. No bombardment. Half a day after an exchange of telegrams between the military governor of Cavite and the captain general of Manila the plaza of Cavite was abandoned by our troops. Many indios collected the arms at the Arsenal and brught them to the Spanish authorities in Cavite who established themselves in San Francisco de Malabon. The Americans have taken possession of the plaza and arsenal of Cavite. — Presided
over by His Excellency, the captain general, the Board of Authorities met at Malacañang in the afternoon. Also in attendance were the superiors of the religious orders. His Excellency described the way things stood, explaining the Americans planned to stir up the country and it seems they have brought with them plenty of arms, in View of which it is absolutely necessary to win over the people for Spain.

Suggested and approved as means of attraction: (1) recruit native volunteer militia whose members may be promoted to the rank of colonel inclusive, without prejudice to other civilian positions they may be able to exercise in their respective towns: {2} establish a Philippine Consultative Assembly, without administrative powers, to which may be admitted certain individuals of doubtful patriotism whom it might be good to attract, without providing them with arms which they can misuse: (3) create for the native-born titles of nobility which they can earn by patriotic deeds and open to them the opportunity for employment in public offices of trust, including that of the provincial governors, when there is someone who deserves it through his capability and moral integrity. Liberally inspired modern reforms suggested by one of the board members were rejected as counterproductive and unworthy. When asked their opinion and the rest of the superiors of the religious orders declined to say something, our Reverend Father Superior spoke, saying he believed it convenient the religious orders and the native clergy help to raise the morale of the country. His words were received with signs of approval by everyone, especially by His Excellency, the captain general.