Note 32 — Notes. (continued 2)
Reading edition
Wildman will probably be long remembered by many who suffered brutalities and tortures at the hands of Aguinaldo’s horde of cut-throats, inspired by the late Consul’s advise.
Correspondence took place between Aguinaldo and Wildman concerning the Spanish prisoners. In reply to a request of the Dictator, Wildman wrote:
“Never mind feeding them. A meal every day, of course, and water will be a good diet. They have been living too high during the last few years. As the Spaniards want more bloodshed in the Philippines, I trust you will let them have a taste of real war. Do not be so tender with them, etc., etc.”
Little did Wildman think that the day would come when these words of his would inspire equal or greater barbarity against his own countrymen.
The publication of the valuable papers in Wildman’s possession at the time of his death in the shipwreck which occurred almost at the very door of his home would doubtless throw much light upon the past four years of Philippine history. The shipment of tons upon tons of ammunition, a large shipment of which left London on the “Inaba Maru,” on the 25th of September 1899, addressed to the “American Consul”, Hong-Kong, have yet to be accounted for.