CHAPTER XII:

THE
STRUGGLE
CONTINUES

REPORTERS:

BELARO, HANIELYN B.

CAGANG, HILLARY JANE C.

BSA 1 – A
 CHAPTER XII – THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES
12.1 THE RELIEF OF PRIMO DE RIVERA

In the months that followed, armed clashes between the Filipinos and the Spaniards occurred
that made the Truce of Biyak-na-bato a failure. Filipinos and Americans were suspicious of each
other. For this reason, peace could not be achieved and the struggle continued…

Governor General Primo de Rivera was successful

in stopping the bloodshed, and his success was
highly praised was highly praised in Spain. The
Queen of Spain rewarded him by presenting him
Grand Cross of San Fernando and a pension of
about Php 10,000.

Governor- General Primo de Rivera In Spain, meanwhile the elections resulted in the
triumph of the Conservative Party, sending General Basilio Augustin as governor-general to
succeed Primo de Rivera. This was unfortunate because Primo de Rivera, the previously
governor of the country in 1880-1883, was doing well in the Philippines and had good
intentions, which he thought would make the Filipino rebels return to Spain as faithful and loyal
as before.

General Augustin, the newly appointed governor,

had never been to the Philippines and had no idea
about the problems confronting the country. On April
9, 1898, General Augustin arrived in Manila. The
following day Primo de Rivera turned over the reins
of government to him.

Governor General Basilio Augustin

Why the Americans came to the Philippines.

1. The Spanish-American War – a war broke up the US and Spain on April 25, 1898, the
war ended on August 12 of the same year.
2. New Lands – wanting new lands in Asia for their businessmen develop and trade.
3. American Bases – looking for Asian naval bases and shipping ports.
 4. The policy of “Manifest Destiny” – mission to civilize the Filipinos, to educate and train
for democracy, and to make them better Christians.
5. The Filipino Invitation – Aguinaldo and his friends thought the Americans would help
the Filipinos with their independence like they did in Cuba.
Manifest Destiny – US has the divinely ordained duty to help troubled
countries

12.2 THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR

 While the position of Governor-General was being passed to General Augustin, it was
already being rumored that the Spaniards and the Americans on the other side of the
world were drifting toward war. The relations between these two countries were
becoming bad.
 Some influential Americans wanted war with the Spain so that the American navy could
be expanded, and Teodore Roosevelt, who became Assistant Secretary of the Navy on
1897, was one of them.
 Roosevelt conceived the idea of taking Manila in case war with Spain would be declared
and he had Commodore George Dewey in mind to carry out this plan.
 Commodore George Dewey was appointed as commander of the American Asiatic
Squadron.
 On February 25, 1898, Roosevelt told Dewey to make Hongkong his base of operations.
According to Roosevelt, “It was deemed wise to have there a man who could go to
Manila if necessary.”

 UNITED STATES – rich and very strong.

 SPAIN – preoccupied with two revolutions: One in Cuba and the other in the
Philippines.
 On February 15, 1898, the American battleship Maine was blown up at Havana Harbor
in Cuba, which was sent by the US Consul General in the city to protect American
citizens and property, causing 266 American sailors and officers to die.
 The American authorities viewed this assault in Havana as an act of act, thus,
“Remember the Maine” became the war slogan of the Americans.
 On April 19, the US Congress passed several resolutions demanding the pull out of
Spanish forces in Cuba.
 On April 24, Spain declared war against the United States.
 On April 25, 1898, the Congress of the United States formally declared war on Spain.

THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY

  Dewey received a cable from the Secretary of War on the same day that war was
declared (April 25) which says: “War has commenced between the United States and
Spain. Proceed particularly against the Spanish fleet. You must capture vessels or
destroy. Use utmost endeavor.”
 On May 1, 1898, Dewey’s fleet consisting of four armored cruises (Olympia, Baltimore,
Boston, and Raleigh) and two gunboats (Concord and Petrel) entered the Manila Bay in
the early morning hours (at 5:40 a.m.).
 The Spanish squadron, commanded by Admiral Patricio Montojo, was waiting near
Sangley Point, Cavite.
 At dawn. Dewey spotted the Spanish ships and ordered his fleet to turn back and sail
towards Cavite.
 Standing on the bridge of the flagship Olympia, Dewey estimated the distance between
the two fleets.
 When Dewey thought his guns could hit the enemy effectively, he gave the signal for
firing and the guns of all the American ships burst with fire.
 The heavier and better armed American ships outgunned the Spanish fleet and by 12:30
in the afternoon (May 1), Admiral Montojo’s fleet was already destroyed (12 ships
including the flagship Reina Castilla).
 Admiral Montojo of the Spanish forces incurred heavy casualties with 160 of his men
killed and 210 wounded.

12.3 AGUINALDO GOES TO SINGAPORE

 In Hongkong, Aguinaldo and his companions in exile were following the events on the
other side of the world.
 The felt that in case of war, it would be a good opportunity to oust the Spaniards from
the Philippines. However, Isabelo Artacho, one of the plagiarists who copied the Cuban
institution, went to Hongkong and demanded that the Php 400,000 paid by the colonial
government to Aguinaldo be divided among the rebels. He asked for his share of the
money but Aguinaldo refused.
 Aguinaldo was advised by Felipe Agoncillo, a lawyer and an adviser of Aguinaldo, to
leave Hongkong to avoid scandal.
 Aguinaldo went to Singapore with two companions, Gregorio del Pilar and J. Leyba.
 Artacho, who was now a paid agent of the Spanish Embassy in Hongkong, sued
Aguinaldo in the Hongkong Supreme country. His purpose was to force Aguinaldo to
divide the money but with the departure of Aguinaldo for Singapore, he did not
succeed.
THE INTERVIEW WITH PRATT

April 23, 1898

 Arrival of Aguinaldo and his companions in Singapore.

Howard Bray

 An English man who had lived in the Philippines for a long time came to visit Aguinaldo.
 Said that the American consul at Singapore, E. Spencer Pratt, wanted to have an
interview with Aguinaldo.
 Acted as an interpreter.

E. Spencer Pratt

 American consul at Singapore

 Convinced Aguinaldo to side with Americans.
 Assured Aguinaldo that the US had no intention of making the Philippines a colony.
 Made all the arrangements for Aguinaldo’s return to Hongkong when he agreed to
Pratt’s proposition.

AGUINALDO AND WILDMAN

April 26, 1898

 Aguinaldo and his companions sailed for Hongkong.

 Dewey had already left for Manila when Aguinaldo arrived in the British colony.

Rounseville Wildman

 American consul at Hongkong

 Told Aguinaldo that Dewey had left instructions for his return (Aguinaldo) to the
Philippines.
 Told Aguinaldo to establish in the Philippines a dictatorial government.

Emilio Aguinaldo

 Entrusted Wildman to purchase rifles and ammunition to be used by the Filipino Army
 Gave 50,000 pesos for the first shipment of 2000 rifles and 200,000 rounds of
ammunition (consummated) and later, 67,000 pesos for a second shipment (not
realized)

THE HONGKONG JUNTA

 Hong Kong Junta was formed by Aguinaldo to reassess and reorganize what historians call a
decisive phase of the revolution against Spain, which became an extension of the Spanish-
American War after the involvement of the United States starting
Hongkong Junta members: in May 1898.
Felipe Agoncillo – president
 Dewey’s success reached all parts of the world including
Doroteo Lopez – secretary the Filipino patriots in Hongkong.
Teodoro Sandico, Anastacio  These patriots (Hongkong Junta) met to discuss the steps
Francisco, Mariano Llanera, to be taken.
Miguel Malvar, Andres
Garchitorena, Severo
 Aguinaldo arrived at the meeting place.
Buenaventura, Maximo  Upon consultation with the Junta Patriotica (Hong Kong
Kabigting, Faustino Lichauco, Junta) it was decided that Aguinaldo return to the country to
Antonio Montenegro
resume the revolution.

12.4 AGUINALDO RETURNS

Revenue Cutter - an  On May 17, Aguinaldo boarded the American revenue cutter
armed government McCulloch, Dewey’s dispatch ship, bound for Manila. The ship arrived
vessel employed at Cavite two days later (May 19).
especially to enforce  He was transferred to Dewey’s flagship Olympia.
revenue laws
 According to Aguinaldo, Dewey assured him that US did not
need colonies, and that US would recognize Philippines’ independence.
 However, Dewey denied having made any promise to Aguinaldo.
 Although he and Dewey spoke, no one knows the substance of the discussions– Dewey
only spoke Spanish, Aguinaldo spoke it poorly and there was no intermediary.

THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES

 Americans won the war at sea, but the Filipinos won the war on the land.
 The war materials purchased in Hongkong landed.
 Filipinos in the Spanish army deserted and joined Aguinaldo.
 May 21, Aguinaldo issued a proclamation, urging the Filipinos to strive to unite their
efforts for the country’s independence.
 The Filipinos beat the Spanish government troops in one battle after another.
 By the end of May 1898, the armed forces had captured about 5,000 prisoners, and by
June 1898, they had conquered the whole of Luzon except Manila.

Aguinaldo’s adviser, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, convinced him that a dictatorship was
needed to fight against Spain. He established a new government to revoke the authority of the
Biak-na-Bato republic and to unite the revolutionary forces. This government only lasted from
May 24, 1898.
Marcela Agoncillo (Felipe’s wife) –
The Declaration of Philippine Independence is most important sew the new national flag

act of the dictatorial government; at Kawit, Cavite, on June 12, Julian Felipe (music teacher from
1898. Cavite) – composed the music

The Declaration of the Philippine Independence written by Jose Palma (young poet) – wrote
the original Spanish lyrics
Rianzares Bautista was signed by Filipino leaders and Colonial
L. M. Johnson of the Artillery.

Soon after the Independence Day, Apolinario Mabini, Aguinaldo’s new adviser, advised him to
change the form of government to Revolutionary Government (Second).

THE SIEGE OF MANILA

 Aguinaldo’s return and the desertion of many Filipino soldiers in the Spanish armed
forces and their fighting under Aguinaldo’s banner demoralized and discouraged the
Spanish officials.
 To prevent the further siding of the Filipino population with Aguinaldo, Governor-
General Augustin issued a circular saying that the unity of the Philippines and its
liberties lay with Spain, and appointed prominent Spanish mestizos to the Consultative
Assembly.
 However, Filipinos did not cooperate with the Spaniards; instead these Filipino rebels
besieged Manila (then Intramuros or Walled City).
 Aguinaldo ordered to cut the food and water supply of the City, starving the Spanish
population and making them helpless.
 He demanded the surrender of Spanish forces but Gov. Augustin refused to surrender.

THE SECRET AGREEMENT

 Dewey did not besiege the City because of lack of forces.

 In June or July, American troops arrived in Manila bay.
 With this force, the American military commanders (among them General Arthur
MacArthur) believed that they could fight the Spaniards; but Dewey thought he could
make Spaniards concede without a fight, thus sent the Belgian consul to negotiate with
Gov. Augustin.
 Gov. Augustin was about to surrender but was relieved and replaced by General Fermin
Jaudenes.
  Jaudenes made a secret agreement with Dewey and General Wesley Merritt wherein
both sides (US and Spain) would stage a mock battle to save Spain’s honor.

12.5 THE MOCK BATTLE IN MANILA

 August 13, The American soldiers walked toward the walls of the City in preparation for
the “battle”
 Aguinaldo’s field generals became suspicious of the Americans.
 When firing started, the Filipino soldiers advances but then stopped by General Francis
V. Greene as ordered by General Merritt, otherwise American soldiers would be forced
to fire them.
 In short, the Filipino troops were not allowed to go inside the city.
 No American was killed; Spanish soldiers decided to surrender and lost the “mock
battle.”

THE AMERICAN TERMS

 August 13, the Spanish governor-general agreed to sign the surrender document.
 August 14, the document was formally signed by the representatives of the US and
Spain.
 Filipinos won the revolution but the Philippines was still not free, because the Spaniards
surrendered to the Americans and not to the Filipinos.

The Treaty of Paris (1898). It was signed between the diplomats of the United States and Spain
at Paris, France on December 10, 1898, officially ending the Spanish-American War. This treaty
made the Philippines a colony of the US. Aguinaldo sent a prominent Filipino diplomat Felipe
Agoncillo but he was not even allowed inside the negotiating room. From Paris, he went to
Washington, DC, he wanted to lobby the American Senate not to approve the treaty, but was
not even entertained.

HISTORICAL VALUES:
1. The Filipinos did not know that the Americans wanted to make the Philippines a colony,
so Aguinaldo and the other leaders welcomed the Americans at the beginning.
2. When the Filipinos united under one leader during the second part of the revolution,
they had the help of a foreign power, they were successful.
3. The Filipinos declared their own independence on June 12, 1898, but the Americans took
away our independence and made us a colony again.
4. The Filipinos could have captured the city of Manila. But the secret deal between the
Spain and the US cheated the Filipinos of the real victory.
5. The Filipinos won the revolution against Spain. But Spain gave the Philippines to the US.
REFERENCES:

 Philippine History and Government by Dr. Sonia M. Zaide (Third Edition)

 Introduction to Filipino History by Teodoro A. Agoncillo
 Philippine History by Maria Christine N. Halili (Second Edition)
 Dumindin, A. (2006). Philippine-American War, 1899-1902. Retrieved October 31, 2019,
from [Link]
 Philippine Center for Masonic Studies (2006). The Philippine Republic, 1899. Retrieved
October 31, 2019, from [Link]
QUESTIONS:
1. Who was the English man that served as the interpreter during the interview of Aguinaldo
with Pratt? Howard Bray
2. What was the name of the American battleship blown up at Havana Harbor in Cuba? Maine
3. When was the American battleship blown up at Havana Harbor in Cuba? February 15,1898
4. How much pension did Primo de Rivera received from the Queen of Spain after his success
in stopping bloodshed? P 10 000
5. When did Spain declare war against United States? April 24,1898
6. Who was appointed as the Commander of American Asiatic Squadron by Teodore
Roosevelt? Commodore George Dewey
7. Who was the American Consul in Hongkong given instructions by Dewey for the return of
Aguinaldo in the Philippines? Rousenville Wildman
8. Who was the American Consul in Singapore that wanted to have an interview with
Aguinaldo? E. Spencer Pratt
9. At the End of May 1898, Aguinaldo's armed force captured about how many prisoners?
5000
10. Who was Spanish Governor-General that made a secret agreement with Dewey and Gen.
Merritt whereby both sides would stage a mock battle? Governor- General Fermin Jaudenes
11. Who replaced and succeed Primo de Rivera as governor-general? General Basilio Augustin
12. Who was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy that conceived the idea of taking Manila in
case of war? Teodore Roosevelt
13. Who commanded the Spanish squadron in the Battle of Manila Bay? Admiral Patricio
Montojo
14. How much does the first shipment of arms and ammunition cost? P50, 000
15. What was the war slogan of the Americans who wanted the US to fight against Spain?
"Remember the Maine!"
16. Who advised and convinced Aguinaldo to establish a dictatorial government? Ambrosio
Rianzares Baustista
17. Who advised Aguinaldo to give up the title of dictator and become the president of a
Revolutionary Government? Apolinario Mabini
18. When was the declaration of Philippine Independence at Kawit, Cavite? June 12, 1898
19. What was the treaty signed between diplomats of the US and Spain at Paris, France on
December 10, 1989? Treaty of Paris
20. Who was the prominent Filipino diplomat sent by Aguinaldo to Paris to convince the
American Senate not to approve the treaty? Felipe Agoncillo