APRIL 19, 1901

To the public and the Army of the Department of the South.

BROTHERS AND COMPANIONS IN ARMS: Until the difficulties can be surmounted for the holding of a General Assembly of all the armed revolutionaries or their representatives, I will, notwithstanding my insignificance and lack of merits, occupy the high and difficult office which was filled by Lieutenant General Mariano Trias, the Superior Commandership of Southern Luzon, as his second in command, in view of the fact that said gentleman, in surrendering to the enemy, has been removed from his old command and rank.

The last soldier in the army, I greet you from this place to which duty has called me, and where I shall endeavor to keep from being damned by the God of the martyrs for their country and the people who, in the midst of their weakness, immense sacrifices and disasters, turn not back, and struggle and die because they want honor and liberty.

I hope soon to turn over the command to another more worthy and I would not accept it today were it not for the purpose of saving the country

I understand my little value; I hope soon to turn over the command to another more worthy and I would not accept it today were it not for the purpose of saving the country and because I am convinced that I may count as heretofore, on the assistance of all of you, due to the ardent and sincere love that you profess for our unfortunate Philippines, in the decided effort to liberate her from the yoke of those who, after having extended friendship and protection to her sons, have invaded her soil and endeavor by force to be her master and controllers.

On this day taking command of the provinces which compose the Department of the South, I have the satisfaction to communicate to you that, if before the outbreak we had hardly 1,500 rifles, now after having furnished a few hundred to Generals Lukban, Diocno, Fullón, Araneta and other commanders, due to the efforts of the field and line officers under my immediate orders, said number has increased to nearly 7,000, collected from private individuals, evil doers and from the enemy himself in various engagements--this in my zone alone, apart from those which I will have at my disposal from this date as Superior Commander of this Departmental Government.

And nevertheless, I declare before the world that we have not used these rifles nor will we use them hereafter to kill Americans with, who like us have mothers, wives, sisters or sons and daughters who would in America bewail their deaths, but only for the purpose of defending our legitimate rights to have a government of our own and an independent national life, exalted and promised by the same who, now under futile pretexts deny it to us and wish to suffocate it by the force of destruction and hecatombs.

nor will we use them hereafter to kill Americans with, who like us have mothers, wives, sisters or sons and daughters who would in America bewail their deaths, but only for the purpose of defending our legitimate rights to have a government of our own and an independent national life

In order that this defense, brothers and companions, for which the country has already shed so much blood and suffered so much, shall not fail in its last days, let us continue to struggle tenaciously and firmly as heretofore redoubling our efforts and increasing our self denial a hundred fold, with faith in our souls, profound, unalterable. It appears at the present time that, deceived or rendered cowards by reason of the prolongation and magnitude of the future sacrifices, there are some desertions from our ranks in other regions, now more than ever, good patriots, those who really pursue the ideal which has been inscribed in our flag for some years, we must multiply our sacrifices, and unite people and army, military and civilians, with the greatest force and cohesion, because the country is in danger. Let us place our faith in our constancy and in the justice of our ideals. A people desirous of liberty and independence may, if weak like ours, take a more or less long time in attaining them, but in the end it does obtain them.

Let us make our national defense a real and spotless one, conforming our acts to international precepts, and in public and in private let us be the guarantee of the life, honor and property of the pacific people, what. ever be their nationality, even though they be of the nationality of our enemy. The purity of our cause will thus be more evident and within and without the Archipelago it will gain more sympathy and more friends.

Let us make our national defense a real and spotless one, conforming our acts to international precepts, and in public and in private let us be the guarantee of the life, honor and property of the pacific people

And acting thus, without turning backwards, without becoming terrified at the sacrifice nor even at death, with our eyes always fixed on the honor of the Philippine country and the liberty of her sons, the country will reward us and the blessings of posterity will be ours.

Let us continue, brothers and companions! Forward to the day our most just rights are recognized.

Let us have faith, self denial and perseverance.

Your brother and companion:

MIGUEL MALVAR
AMPARO, April 19, 1901.