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                             THE KATIPUNAN

                             An Illustrated
                   Historical and Biographical Study
                 of the Society which Brought about the
                     Insurrection of 1896-98 & 1899
                   Taken From Spanish State Documents

                                   By
                           FRANCIS ST. CLAIR

                                 Manila
                  Tip. "Amigos del Pais," Palacio 258
                                  1902








                             THE KATIPUNAN
                                   Or
               The Rise and Fall of the Filipino Commune


                                   By
                           FRANCIS ST. CLAIR

                                 Manila
                  Tip. "Amigos del Pais," Palacio 258
                                  1902











                       TO THE HONORABLE FILIPINOS
                            Who, True to the
                             Principles of
                               Patriotism


have not harbored in their hearts sentiments of ingratitude toward that
noble Nation which raised them to the level of civilization to which
they have attained, not have at any time conspired against the lawfully
constituted authorities, Spanish or American, of this Archipelago.

To such honorable Filipinos as these, it gives me the greatest pleasure
to dedicate this small work, as a token of the genuine respect in
which they are held by


    The Author.









INTRODUCTION


"Manila, 21st (Aug. '96).--The Governor General to the Colonial
Minister:


    Vast organization of secret societies discovered with anti-national
    tendencies.

    Twenty-two persons detained, among them the Gran Oriente
    (of Philippine freemasonry) of the Philippines, and others of
    importance.....................................................
   ...............................................................
    Immediate action taken and special judge will be designated for
    greater activity in the proceedings............................
   ...............................................................

        --Blanco.


Such was the telegram sent by Gen. Blanco and read by Sr. Castellano
in the Spanish Camara, announcing the discovery of the revolutionary
movement headed by the Katipunan, the bastard child of Filipino
freemasonry.

Freemasonry in the Philippines was but a pretext: under this pretext
the enemies of Spain, in days of Spanish rule, and the enemies of
the U. S. in these days of American rule, put themselves into close
and secret communion, to earn out plans of revolt.

This Filipino masonry cast its net far and wide, and in its meshes were
caught many fish of all classes and conditions; some of them men of
money who sought in masonry what money could easily purchase,--honors
and titles, grand crosses and medals; others were men whose pockets
were more or less replete, and whose aims were of a great variety of
natures; whilst others were men whose treasuries were more or less
empty and who sought in masonry what they did not care to earn by
honest labor--a livelihood.

Masonry was imported into the Archipelago, shortly after the Spanish
Revolution, and was, during the first years of its life, confined
to Spaniards; but later on it opened its doors to half-castes and
indians. In 1887 it extended by leaps and bounds; but upon the
coming of Gen. Weyler to the Arch