Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net/ for Project Gutenberg. (This book was produced from scanned images of public domain material from the Google Print project.) 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.