SILANG, April 13, 1901

MY DEAR COMRADE: Notwithstanding that I am convinced of having fulfilled my duty and of having a clear conscience as to all acts to the present time, I am still a little in doubt as to the opinion which my friends and others may have formed of me so that I wish to have the satisfaction of writing these lines in order to place myself right before you and the country in general.

My present change of attitude was not due to the suggestion of any person, and still less to lukewarmness of spirit in the cause of the country: it was the fruit of lengthy reflection seeking the best solution of the Philippine problem. Experience and my own judgment counselled me that I should seek the remedy not in following persons but conditions, because I am well aware of the fact that the greatness of nations has not always been attained by material force and violent shocks, but also by the natural course of events by virtue of social evolution. I can believe that you, in the important role that you play in the vital question of the country, have also studied the matter from a military and political point of view; as a war, I do not know whether you can assure me that we are not lacking the conditions and circumstances present in other wars, enabling us to come out victorious; but I venture to say here, with sorrow in my heart, that in view of the course it has taken I believe it difficult, if not impossible, for us to attain our goal. The evil which has caused and still causes deep loss to our Revolution is to be found within itself. We did not extirpate this in time, and it would be useless and ridiculous to attempt doing so now. What should be done then in this sad dilemma? The healthy part remaining must be saved, but in an honorable manner. If we failed to find the remedy on one side, prudence and common sense advise us to seek it on the other. The evil continues its work of destruction and which under the treatment accorded it does not cede, but will finally invade the entire organism and produce death, if not now, perhaps tomorrow. Examine the picture presented by the present state of affairs and you will see that a tone different from the purpose of the revolution predominates; that tone is the cry of, “enough blood”, because the atmosphere of the war is asphyxiating and has destroyed not a few interests of persons and property.

I hope to convince you and that you will not leave me alone in this task of securing for our country the greatest good in a lawful manner and by peaceful means

Mariano Trias

Yes, comrade, all the convulsions to which our war has been subject, is due to the fact that we should not have made it and there is still time to amend the error. Peace is necessary and the people demand it and people have always told the truth and we must submit. Whoever has endeavored to obstruct the relentless force of opinion, has often been crushed. The secret of that voice is that the people have become convinced that the Philippines are entering upon their era of redemption with those beneficent reforms which are operating already in the country with general applause. Our present municipalities are not the municipalities of the last regime; we now find initiative within the circle of their administrative independence; our provinces are governed by Filipino element, as is the administration of justice. All these reforms show in an eloquent manner that the Philippines are living a life of modern progress, because they all are legitimate conquests of civilization.

In this manner America formally denies the pessimistic utterances which have poisoned public opinion and diverted the fortunes of the country from their true channel.

In view of the preceding reflections, the product of an experience of five years of struggle, and having a clear conscience as to having acted with the best good faith, I hope to convince you and that you will not leave me alone in this task of securing for our country the greatest good in a lawful manner and by peaceful means, now that America as a Nation in which liberty rules, does not suppress legitimate aspirations nor place any obstacles in the way of the progress of humanity.

Yours, etc.

M. Trias.

P.S—I send with this letter one from the Colonel of the Detachment of Malabon.