Chapter C: L. P (4)

"War is not a pink tea affair," returned the Judge. "It can not be prosecuted without individual harm being done."

"I do not refer to that," said the insurgent. "I shall not whimper over hardships and private losses or wounds that come from war. But you have wounded me in peace, while I was ally to you."

"I do not see that you are acting as an ally today."

"No, but I was when I went with the American troops to spy out and defeat the Spaniards. And at the very hour when I was serving you, and after I had voluntarily given you my office and surrendered the Philippine republic that we might come under the protection of the American republic, you set your soldiers to protecting the Spanish friars, in possession of property which Spanish soldiers had seized from us. Was that right?"

"It was a general order. Had the insurgents been in possession of the property, they would have been protected in it. It is not my fault if you were not able to hold this property."

"But you occupy the conventos, on invitation of the friars. It puts you under obligation to them."

"I occupied the house you offered. Did that put me under obligation to you?"

"Yes. But you now war those who were your allies."

"And you war those who were your allies. That makes us even."

"The man whose guest you are, murdered the leader of the schism, cruelly, and you shield him. He betrayed the faith of the friar's daughter"--

"After she had betrayed her faith"--

"On her father's solicitation"--

"So she said. Poor girl, she was evidently insane."

"And then horribly maltreated her. Later he burned her, as it were, at the stake."

"My friend," said Judge Daft, amiably, "it is not a part of my duty to quarrel, and I refuse to jower longer with you. If you want to fight, go and join with those whose duty it is to fight. If you have a personal grievance, bring civil suit, and I will hear your cause. Before you go, I shall be pleased if you will permit me to serve you something warm."

Saguanaldo was broken in spirit. He was again beaten in diplomacy. His mission had failed, and, with quivering lip and voice shaking with emotion, he said farewell, muffled himself in his great coat and took his departure with his aide.

As he stepped on the street he was met by a detachment of soldiers, sent out from the convento by the apostolic nuncio, and placed under arrest. At the same time Violeta stepped before him and extended his hand:

"General, I am glad to meet you."

Saguanaldo struck at him, but missed, because the soldiers restrained him. The Jesuit very composedly said:

"Nothing is ever made, General, by being unpleasant. Take the prisoner to American headquarters, and spread the report that the leader is captured and the insurrection is over."

ANNOUNCEMENT

"Diaz, the Dictator"

In thanking all who by their advance subscriptions made possible the publication of "The Friar's Daughter," I wish to announce the preparation of another book, entitled "Diaz the Dictator." It will be somewhat longer than this work, and will be even more dramatic, fuller of action and intrigue, and will bring events practically to the present.

The real story of Diaz has never been written understandingly. Why and how he became a dictator; how the masses of the people of Mexico were made peons; the motives behind his action; the development of capitalism and the fall of feudalism in Mexico, have not yet been touched on understandingly. They are told in the fascinating story which I announce. The near relationship of the United States to Mexico through it all is made clear.

Not many know that the French government, at the instance of the Roman hierarchy, after the confiscation of the church lands in Mexico, overthrew the republic in 1863, and established as a form of government "a temperate and hereditary Catholic monarchy." Not many know that Jaurez, the Mexican president who was forced from his position by a foreign army, appealed to the United States for aid, but that this country, being in the midst of a big war, was unable to lend him succor. Not many know that just as soon as there was prospect of the American armies being released from war, congress, on April 4th, 1864, warned France that America would not, under the Monroe doctrine, permit an European power to establish a monarchy on American soil. Not many know that on February 9th, 1869, Abraham Lincoln issued an ultimatum to France that she must either withdraw her troops from Mexico or fight the United States--that France withdrew, and the monarchy went to pieces. Not many have thought that the plotting against Lincoln's life, by Catholics exclusively, began on March 6th, 1865, and culminated on April 15th, 1865. All this time Diaz was fighting with the Mexican patriots. Do you know what caused him to change?

These are only a few of the things brought out in the work. If "The Friar's Daughter" is an eye-opener, then "Diaz the Dictator" will prove the thunder clap.

Will you help to bring out this work, as you so generously helped with "The Friar's Daughter"? If so, I ask you to fill out the enclosed blank and mail it to me, WITHOUT SENDING MONEY. The prices will be the same as with this work:

Ten copies, $3.00; 100 copies, $22.00; single copy, 40 cents.

Enclose in envelope and mail to me, and when the subscription reaches 1,000 work will be begun on printing "Diaz the Dictator."