CHAPTER 11

SPANISH - AMERICAN WAR

Spanish-American relations were turning for the worse. Spain wanted to avoid getting
into conflict with US (a rising powerful nation).
Reasons for Spanish-American War
a. Cuban Revolution
b. Dupuy de Lome's letter
c. Blowing up of the American Warship Maine
Theodore Roosevelt Sr. originally wanted war between Spain and US to expand their navy.
In April 25, Dewey received a message saying war has begun and he should proceed against the
Spanish fleet; Congress passed a formal declaration of war against Spain.

THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY

Dewey sailed from Hong Kong to the Philippines with seven heavily armed ships. In May
1, 1898, the fleet entered Manila Bay almost undetected by the Spaniards and Dewey hoped that
he would find Admiral Patricio Montojo's fleet but they were in Sangley Point, Cavite. He saw the
Spanish ships far to his back and ordered his men to the direction of Sangley Point. The naval
battle was one sided, for the Spanish Ships (poorly armed) outnumbered those of the Americans.
It was a massacre. At 12:30, the destruction of Montojo's fleet was complete. The Spaniards
raised a white cloth as a sign of surrender. With that event, US was entangled in the world of
politics and entered into the "Days of Empire".

AGUINALDO IN SINGAPORE
The rumor of Spanish-American War was a light of opportunity for Aguinaldo and his
companions to oust the Spaniards. A division between the exiles existed. Isabelo Artacho wanted
the P400,000 to be Divided among them. Aguinaldo refused and Artacho sued him. To avoid
appearing in court, he secretly left for Saigon where he took another ship to Singapore. In April
23, Howard Bray, contacted Aguinaldo and told him that Spencer Pratt (American Consul) wanted
to have a meeting with him. Pratt persuaded Aguinaldo to trust America. Aguinaldo expressed
his eagerness to return to the Philippines to lead once more the Filipinos in the fight against
Spaniards. Pratt arranged Aguinaldo's departure. In April 26, Aguinaldo and his companions sailed
for Manila Bay when Aguinaldo arrived.
AGUINALDO AND THE HONG KONG JUNTA
Objective is Philippine Independence.
*In the wake of Dewey's victory the Filipinos who composed of Hong Kong Junta met on May 4
to discuss the steps to be taken in the face of the new development.
*Present during the deliberations were
Felipe Agoncillo - Temporary president
Doroteo Lopez - temporary secretary
Teodoro Sandico
Anastacio Francisco
Mariano Llanera
Miguel Malvar
Andres Garchitorena
Severo Buenaventura
Maximo Kabigting
Faustino Lichauco
Antonio Montenegro
*Agoncillo informed the committee of the arrival of Aguinaldo and suggested the temporary
suspension of the meeting to give Aguinaldo and Galaciano Apacible the time to enter the session
hall.
*Once inside, Aguinaldo related his dealings with Pratt and Wildman
*Since the situation if the Philippines is very critical, Aguinaldo asked the members of Juntan to
advise him on what to do.
*After the exchange of opinions, the Junta unanimously decided that Aguinaldo should return to
the Philippines to lead the Filipinos against Spaniards

AGUINALDO RETURN
*Aguinaldo was convinced of the advices from the Hong Kong Junta
*May 7, the revenue cutter McCulloch arrived in Hong Kong and the master of the ship noticed
Aguinaldo that Dewey didn't instruct him to take Aguinaldo aboard.
*Second return to Hong Kong, Dewey had given instructions to the captain to have Aguinaldo
return in the board of McCulloch
*Wildman arranged Aguinaldo's passage and suggested he and his companions to avoid the
suspicion of the Spanish consul at Hong Kong
*McCulloch left Hong Kong on May 17 and arrived at Cavite on May 19.
*Dewey's launch took him to Olympia (warship) where he was give honors due a general.
*US needed no colonies and no doubt that thy recognized Philippine Independence.
Dewey treated Filipino general in a personal manner
*But there is no evidence to back up Aguinaldo's contentions.

RENEWAL OF THE STRUGGLE

*Aguinaldo landed the war materials he had brought from Hong Kong
*Rebels from Bataan came to see him
* Aguinaldo handed them copies of his proclamations urging to rally with Filipino flag against the
struggle of the Spaniards.
* His return was spread throughout Central Luzon and the number of Filipinos volunteered.
*Aguinaldo ordered them to occupy Dalahikan and Cavite Shipyard to prevent enemy from
occupying it.
*Arms were secured from the captain of the American Petrel distributed among the large number
of Filipinos offering their loyalty and services to Aguinaldo.
*End of May, Aguinaldo forces had captures about 5,000 prisoners.
*Imus, Parañaque, Bakood, and Las Piñas werw captured by the Filipinos within a week.
*So sweeping were the Filipino victories that practically the whole Luzon except the part of Cavite
and Manila, were in rebel hands by June 1898.

SPANISH ATTEMPTS TO WIN OVER FILIPINOS

*The effect of Aguinaldo's return was demoralizing
*Governor-Heneral Basilio Augustin found himself betrayed by the Filipinos who volunteered for
the Spanish Army.
*To counteract its effect on the Filipino civilians, some spaniards with the consent and perhaps,
inspiration of the Governor-Heneral circulated a handbill entitled VIVA LA AUTONOMIA! in which
they stated that the
"Salvation of the unity of the Islands,
the unity of the liberties and
the unty of its local and central government"
*Pedro A. Paterno, the negotiator of the truce of Biyak-na-bato was behind this circular, hr
confessed that time that he still loved Spain and still hostile to the US.
*May 28, General Augustin called the first and only consultative assembly and appointed
prominent mestizos to sit in, the purpose is to WIN OVER TO HIS SIDE THE WEALTHY AND
INFLUENTIAL SEGMENT OF THE FILIPINOS (MESTIZOS) AND TO MAKE IT APPEAR THAT HE HAD
THE WELFARE OF THE FILIPINO AT HEART.
*Consultative assembly was nothing but a decoration for its function was purely advisory and did
not have the right to initiate reforms
*Augustin's attempts to win over the Filipinos failed.

THE SIEGE OF MANILA

Manila before was known as the Walled City or Intramuros. The districts outside the city
were called arrabales or suburbs. Fater the destruction of the Spanish navy, Dewey blockaded
Manila. Since Dewey had so far not invaded the city, thousands of Spaniards sought refuge.
Dewey thought it was useless to conque the city by arms since they lack troops, so they waited
for reinforcements. On the other league, under Aguinaldo’s, they besieged the city in attempt to
starve out the enemy within its walls. Aguinaldo cut-off the supply of food and water. And in a
matter of weeks, the Spanish authorities surrendered.

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN SECRET AGREEMENT

The Americans were very confident that they could easily dislodge the Spaniards from the
city for there were three reinforcements that had arrived. Preparations were made immediately
for the battle that will determine the fate of Manila.
Meanwhile, Dewey made use of his inborn diplomatic skill. He started negotiating with
Agustin, through the Belgian Consul, Andre. But when the Peninsular Government heard of this,
they relieved Agustin from his service and appointed General Jaudenes. Since Jaudenes and
Agustin are much alike in thinking, he also believed that the Spanish position was hopeless
against the enemy. To save face, he insisted to have a mock battle. He further insisted that the
Filipino rebels should be excluded from participating in the surrender of Manila. The agreement
between Jaudenes, Dewey and Merritt was so secret that no one else in either camp knew of its
existence.
BEGINNINGS OF THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN RIFT
Aguinaldo and his forces
were laying siege to Manila at the time that Dewey was waiting for reinforcements. It became
favorable to the Americans because they don’t need to have a lookout, for their Filipino allies are
already doing it. When the latter arrived, General Merritt decided that the attack against Manila
should be along the bay side. Merritt instructed General Francis Greene to ask for Aguinaldo’s
cooperation. He wanted the evacuation of Filipino troops on the bay side area. Aguinaldo
demanded that the request must be made in writing. But Greene only made a verbal promise,
however he didn’t honor his word.
Aguinaldo and other Filipino military leaders made some suspicions on the American
intentions. They wondered why Americans pour in number that infact, Spaniards were at the
mercy of Filipino troops. Aguinaldo’s suspicions increased when General Anderson telegraphed
him that he should not let his troops to enter Manila without the American Commander’s
permission. What began as a friendly alliance turned into a silent hostility.

The Mock Battle of Manila

 The assault was to have begun in August 10. Bad weather however, delayed the planned
action.
 Dewey and Merrit issued a joint ultimatum to Jaudenes telling him to evacuate non-
combatants to safe places as the American land and naval forces would start operations
“against the defenses of Manila.”
 August 13, the day of the mock battle. The Filipino troops arrived and they positioned
themselves to the right of MacArthur’s flank, ready to rush into the fray. Despite
requests from Anderson to hold back his troops, Aguinaldo stayed firm in his decision to
participate.
 The plan of attack was for Dewey’s ships to bombard Fort San Antonio Abad.
 At 9:30AM, the Olympia began bombardment of the sapnish positions in the fort,
followed a little later by other warships.
 Greene began his advance from Malate an hour later, while MacArthur advanced from
Singalong at about 11:00AM. The Filipino troops then moved closer to the walls of the
city.
 The Spaniards hoisted the white flags at about 11:20 AM, but it was not until 12NN that
Gen. Greene noticed it.
 Manila had fallen.
Terms of Capitulation
 Gen. Greene, upon seeing the flag, rushed into the open Bagumbayan field. He was on
his way to confer with Gen. Jaudenes.
 5PM, the terms of capitulation were agreed upon by both sides.
 The Spanish authorities agreed to surrender the Spanish troops and the Filipino
volunteers found insed the Walled City. The American, on the other hand, agreed to
safeguard the city, its inhabitants, its churches, and religious worship.

The Protocol of Peace

 August 10, Secretary of State submitted to the representative of Spain, a draft of the
protocol which provided for the appointment of not more than 5 commissioners on
each side to discuss the treaty. The draft also provided for the cessation of the Spanish-
American hostilities.
 Spain agreed to sign the terms.
 August 12 (Washington time), Pres. McKinley issued a proclamation directing that “all
military operations against the enemy be suspended”
 The proclamation was cabled to Merrit on the same day. But because Dewey cut the
cable between Manila and the outside world after the battle of Manila Bay, Merrit did
not receive it until the afternoon of August 16 when the Mock Battle of Manila had
already been “fought” and the terms were signed.
 Thus, the mock battle of Manila would not have been “fought” and Spanish honor
would have been saved had not Dewey cut the cable earlier.