RPH American Infiltration in Philippines PDF

Chapter 8 Aguinaldo's Claim American Infiltration in the Philippines Despite this silence, Aguinaldo maintained that the struggle for indep...

Chapter 8 Aguinaldo's Claim American Infiltration in the Philippines Despite this silence, Aguinaldo maintained that the struggle for independence continued, even Introduction while in exile. USA's Entry into the Philippines Reorganization in Exile Historians question why the USA involved itself in The exiled leaders re-established their group, the Philippines when the conflict with Spain was biding their time and planning for the right originally centered on Cuba. moment to return to the Philippines to continue Shift of Focus their fight for independence. Although the USA’s initial conflict with Spain was Goal over Cuba, they eventually concentrated their Their aim remained the same: to achieve efforts on the Philippines after entering the Philippine independence from Spanish rule. country. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo continued the operation of the USS Maine Incident revolutionary government in Hong Kong which became The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, known as the Hong Kong Junta and later on as the which killed American officers and crew, was a “Supreme Council of the Nation” pivotal moment. The USA blamed Spain for the incident, fueled by pre-existing tensions over Perhaps because of the distance and means of American interest in Cuba, a Spanish colony at communication, the revolutionists themselves again the time. subdivided through misunderstandings. Discontentment arose that made several changes in the membership due USA Declares War to resignation of some members both in the Philippines and Hong Kong. On April 21, 1898, the USA declared war on Spain following the USS Maine incident. Aguinaldo’s Hong Kong Junta Cause of Conflict The Hong Kong Junta played a crucial role in the While there were several reasons for the USA's revolution, even though they were exiled. Focusing on conflict with Spain, the immediate cause cited by diplomacy and propaganda instead of armed struggle the American government was their support for to achieve Philippine independence. Cuba’s struggle against Spanish rule. First Overseas War General Emilio Aguinaldo overestimated the loyalty of the leaders he left behind, believing their trust in him and This was the USA’s first overseas war, where they the revolutionary cause was unwavering. utilized advanced steel ships, marking a significant leap in their naval superiority on the global stage. Dissatisfaction among these leaders surfaced just two days after his departure, revealing the fragility of their Why the Philippines? loyalty. Despite the conflict's origins in Cuba, the question remains: Why did the Philippines Isabelo Artacho led the rebels of Biak-na-Bato in become involved in this war between the USA and passing a resolution defying the leadership of the Spain? The war, at its core, was about Cuba. exiled revolutionary leaders. Lesson Proper The rebels left behind in Biak-na-Bato were left with no money, causing frustration. The Silence After Biak-na-Bato Perceived Inequality: They resented that the less After the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, the Philippine deserving leaders in Hong Kong were enjoying the revolution went silent as key revolutionary indemnity money. leaders, including General Emilio Aguinaldo, were exiled to Hong Kong. Unfair Distribution: The second installment of the indemnity was distributed quickly but unequally among the leaders remaining in Biak-na-Bato, deepening the dissatisfaction. Paterno's Message The Junta evolved from a meaningless group of exiles awaiting a weak agreement into a focused Pedro Paterno informed Aguinaldo of the coalition of serious Filipino leaders equipped with a December 19 resolution and the Spanish payment significant amount of funds, ready to advance their to the rebels of Biak-na-Bato. cause for independence. Deteriorating Situation Despite initial signs of conciliation and loyalty to Aguinaldo faced increasing discontent and Spain, the exiled Filipino leadership fully intended to division among the exiles in Hong Kong and open continue the revolution. defiance of his leadership in the Philippines. As the Hong Kong Junta established itself, the Preventive Measures Spanish struggled with scattered and unorganized uprisings in the Philippines, which they mistakenly Fearing that the discontent in Hong Kong could attributed to tulisanes (bandits). escalate into full defiance, Aguinaldo took swift countermeasures to maintain unity within the The Junta supported Aguinaldo’s leadership, Junta. rejecting the efforts of disgruntled leaders in the Philippines who sought to obtain the second February 14, 1898, Meeting indemnity payment from the Spanish colonial government. Aguinaldo called for a meeting of all exiles at Green Mount House in Hong Kong, where he In April 1898, Aguinaldo and the revolutionaries relayed Paterno’s message and read a letter from decided to cancel the Biak-na-Bato Pact due to Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Primo de Rivera. Spain’s repeated violations of the agreement. The letter revealed that Spain had no intention of How America Entered the Philippines making the third payment unless revolts in the Philippines ceased and the Katipunan was dissolved General Emilio Aguinaldo traveled from Hong Kong to Singapore for an important meeting with his old friend, Mr. Howard W. Bray, an Englishman who had lived in The letter crushed the exiles hopes of returning to the the Philippines for 15 years before relocating. Philippines. Aguinaldo announced Artacho’a resignation as secretary of interior and director of commerce, as well as Artacho’s demand for Aguinaldo was accompanied by Colonel Gregorio del reimbursement of expenses. Pilar and Mr. J. Leyna, with the purpose of consulting Bray about their status as exiles and the situation in the Philippines. The Hong Kong exiles reacted in line with Aguinaldo's expectations, believing that Spaniards and Artacho’s group were acting in bad faith. Aguinaldo sought information regarding the potential for war between America and Spain, expressing that they would support and cooperate with the U.S. if The exiles rejected the Biak-na-Bato agreement of America recognized Philippine independence after the December 19, 1897, and granted Aguinaldo control conflict. over the remaining funds, authorizing him to spend only the interest for living expenses. Mr. Bray introduced Aguinaldo to the American Consul General in Singapore, Mr. Spenser Pratt, who was also While they accepted Artacho’s resignation, they concerned about the condition of the Philippines. disapproved of his demand for reimbursement. After a few days, Mr. Bray arranged for a meeting As a final act, the officials of the provisional between Aguinaldo and Pratt to discuss their shared government formed at Biak-na-Bato were replaced by concerns and potential collaboration. individuals selected from the membership of the exiled group. General Emilio Aguinaldo described the status of the Philippines under Spanish rule during his conversation The meeting marked the initial action of the Hong with Mr. Spenser Pratt. Kong Junta, symbolizing their active role in the revolution. Aguinaldo learned about the impending American The provisional government’s reins were officially attack in the Philippines, prompting him to reinstate assumed by the rebels in Hong Kong, solidifying his commitment to armed struggle against Spain. their leadership position.  After hearing Aguinaldo's story and proposal, Mr. - The victory cleared the way for the US Pratt agreed to assist him. occupation of Manila in August 1898 and led to the eventual transfer of the Philippines from Pratt sent a telegram to Commodore George Dewey Spanish to American control. of the American Asiatic Naval Squadron, which was stationed near China and prepared to attack the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. Commodore Dewey immediately requested that Aguinaldo leave Singapore and return to Hong Kong to prepare for the military actions in Manila. The Battle of Manila On April 30, 1898, Commodore George Dewey's American Asiatic Squadron entered Manila Bay, bypassing the defensive guns of Corregidor Island. After dawn, the US fleet discovered the Spanish fleet, which consisted of outdated wooden warships anchored off the Cavite naval station. The US fleet was well-armed and well-staffed, largely due to the efforts of Theodore Roosevelt, then assistant secretary of the Navy, who had selected Dewey to command the Asiatic Squadron. Dewey's Command: - At approximately 5:40 AM on May 1, 1898, Commodore George Dewey, aboard his flagship Olympia, gave the command to his captain, saying, "You may fire when ready, Gridley." Battle Outcome: - Within two hours, the Spanish fleet was completely destroyed. Pause in Action: - After the destruction, Dewey ordered a pause in the battle. Refusal to Surrender: - Despite their losses, the surviving Spanish vessels trapped in Cavite initially refused to surrender. Resumption of Fighting: - Later that morning, the fighting resumed between the US and Spanish forces. Final Surrender: - By early afternoon, a signal from the gunboat USS Petrel was sent to Dewey’s flagship, announcing that the enemy had surrendered. Outcome of the Battle: - It was known as the famous Battle in Manila Bay resulted in a decisive Spanish defeat, with an estimated 370 Spanish troops lost and their entire Armada destroyed. Minimal American Casualties: - American casualties were fewer than 10. Impact of the Victory: