Under date of December 28 he telegraphed Aguinaldo as follows:-- "The events in Bangbang, Tarlac Province, according to a witness here worthy of credit, have arisen from an attempt to procure vengeance on the local presidente, and robbery of Chinese shops.

Hence they are without political importance.

The tax collector killed, and a countryman servant of the local presidente wounded.

They burnt two houses of the local presidente, a stable, and a warehouse for sugar-cane." [258] Obviously the robbery of Chinese shops and the killing of a few individuals was at first considered by the secretary of agriculture to be without political importance.

Evidently he changed his mind, however, for on the same day, December 28, 1898, he telegraphed Aguinaldo as follows:-- "I think it necessary to send Aglipay [259] to quiet Tarlac.