TODAY IN THE PAST

Today June 18, 1899, Apolinario Mabini writes to Felipe Buencamino: "My character is not suited to the restless life of the politician - a life that I have led only out of necessity."

With the approval of the member of Congress, it was decided to accept the resignation of the Mabini Cabinet and to form a new one in which should predominate the elements in favor of a conciliatory attitude toward the proclamation of the American Commission offering autonomy.

The new cabinet was formed on May 9 with Pedro A. Paterno as President.

In the manifesto which Paterno published soon after he formed his cabinet, he said his policies were premised on the following basis: First, to insure the prosperity of the country and maintain individual and political rights; and, second, to establish peace through suitable and honorable means.

Mabini retired to private life, engaging in newspaper work in which he whole-heartedly defended the cause of the revolution.

He fled one town to another to avoid falling into the hands of the American troops, until he was captured in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija, on December 10.

His capture did not interrupt his literary activity which was continued with increasing vigor in the periodicals of the capital.

His sole object was to defend the cause of the Philippine Revolution and to oppose the growing imperialism of the revolution would not have had a more intelligent or more able defender.