[APRIL 16, 1902.]

THE REASON FOR MY CHANGE OF ATTITUDE.

The government I wanted to ask for was independence under a protectorate; a government of our own, with a flag of our own, under protection of the American Government.

Miguel Malvar

The desertion of my most trusted officers.

The knowledge that the people in all the towns were looking for me, to induce me to surrender.

Lack of food in the field, owing to the concentration in the zone, apart from the increased activity of the American troops; because of the adherence of the towns, to the American troops on account of the concentration and the measures taken by General Bell.

Compassion for the prisoners and the exiles.

Because I believe that if the planting of rice in the month of May was prevented by a continuation of the war, the non-combatants, as well as the men in the field would die of hunger.

Because the American forces kept me constantly on the move from the month of February down to the last moment, when I found myself without a single gun or a clerk, as what little escort I had became separated from me in a sudden attack made on us by the American forces near the town of Rosario; and because all my staff officers had already fallen into the hands of the Americans.

Also on account of a letter from Pedro Paterno.

The government I wanted to ask for was independence under a protectorate; a government of our own, with a flag of our own, under protection of the American Government.

(Sgd.) MIGUEL MALVAR.