CHAPTER I. The Revolution of 1896 Spain maintained control of
the Philippine Islands for more than three centuries and a half,
during which period the tyranny, misconduct and abuses of the
Friars and the Civil and Military Administration exhausted the
patience of the natives and caused them to make a desperate
effort to shake off the unbearable galling yoke on the 26th and
31st August, 1896, then commencing the revolution in the
provinces of Manila and Cavite. On these memorable days the
people of Balintawak, Santa Mesa, Kalookan, Kawit, Noveleta and
San Francisco de Malabon rose against the Spaniards and
proclaimed the Independence of the Philippines, and in the
course of the next five days these uprisings were followed by
the inhabitants of the other towns in Cavite province joining in
the revolt against the Spanish Government although there was no
previous arrangement looking to a general revolt. The latter
were undoubtedly moved to action by the noble example of the
former. With regard to the rising in th