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CHAPTER V

THE PHILIPPINE INSURRECTION

(1898-1902)

F the frequent attempts at revolution during the last hundred years of Spanish rule in the Philippines, the most serious was organized among the tribe of the Tagalogs, in Luzon, by the "Katipunan," or patriots' league, in 1896. The object of this movement was not independence, but the correction of abuses in the local administration, which was almost entirely in the hands of the friars. With the exception of the Mohammedan Moros and the wild pagan tribes, the Philippine people belonged to the Roman Catholic Church, the church registry in 1898 showing a total of 6,559,998 Catholics. All but one hundred and fifty of the regular parishes were administered by Spanish monks of the Dominican, Augustinian, or Franciscan orders. In most of the parishes the priest was the only representative of the Spanish government: he was inspector of primary schools, president of the health board and board of charities, president of the board of taxation, and honorary president of the board of public works. He was not only the spiritual guide, but the

municipal ruler as well. Charges of gross immorality were made against the friars, which in many cases were undoubtedly true, but the real ground of opposition was the immense power they wielded in all the affairs of life. There was also in this op position an element of agrarianism.' During the insurrections of 1896 and 1898 a general attack was made against the friars: forty were killed and over four hundred imprisoned; the rest took refuge in Manila, and many of them subsequently left the islands. This expulsion of the friars was the overthrow of Spanish government throughout the greater part of the archipelago."

Aguinaldo, the youthful leader of the revolution of 1896, had left the islands in December, 1897, in pursuance of an agreement, known as the treaty of Briac-na-bato, by which Governor-General Primo de Rivera bound himself to introduce certain reforms and to pay the leaders of the revolution one million dollars to forego their efforts and withdraw from the islands. Only four hundred thousand dollars of the amount was ever paid, and the reforms were not carried out. While Admiral Dewey was at HongKong preparing to leave for Manila, he was informed by the American consul at Singapore that Aguinaldo was there and was willing to come to HongKong to arrange for a general co-operation between the insurgents and the American forces, if desired. 1 See p. 171 below.

Philippine Commission, Reports, 1900-1903 (collected), 39-49.

Dewey replied: "Tell Aguinaldo come soon as possible." The American squadron left, however, before he arrived, and after the battle of Manila Bay he was brought over with thirteen of his staff on board the United States gun-boat McCulloch.

After a conference with Dewey, Aguinaldo was allowed to land at Cavité, organize his forces, and furnish them with guns from the Spanish arsenal.1 He also established a revolutionary government, and Von July 3 proclaimed the Filipino republic. The following day General T. M. Anderson, who at that time commanded the land forces of the United States, sent the following communication to Aguinaldo: "General: I have the honor to inform you that the United States of America, whose land forces I have the honor to command in this vicinity, being at war with the Kingdom of Spain, has entire sympathy and most friendly sentiments for the native people of the Philippine Islands. For these reasons I desire to have the most amicable relations with you, and to have you and your people co-operate with us in military operations against the Spanish forces." "

Meanwhile General Merritt had embarked from San Francisco, June 29, with instructions not to recognize Aguinaldo but to organize a provisional government. These instructions were cabled to

1 Memorandum furnished by Dewey, Report of [Schurman] Philippine Commission, I., 171.

2 Senate Docs., 56 Cong., 1 Sess., No. 208.

Manila before the arrival of Merritt, and caused General Anderson to reply at once that, in his opinion, the establishment of a provisional government by the United States would bring about a conflict with the insurgents. When General Merritt arrived in Manila Bay on July 25, he found that Aguinaldo's forces encircled the city and extended on the south between the Spanish and American lines. When the American troops were preparing to advance against the city, Merritt requested Aguinaldo to withdraw his forces from this part of the line so as to allow General Greene to advance and occupy the position. This request was granted, and on the morning of August 13 everything was ready for the assault. The insurgents naturally wanted to advance simultaneously with the Americans, and Anderson, who was in command of the attacking forces, telegraphed to Aguinaldo asking him to try to prevent trouble, and saying: "Your forces should not force themselves in the city until we have received the full surrender. Then we will negotiate with you."

Dewey and Merritt had made a formal demand for the surrender of Manila, but the governor-general replied that he could not do this without consulting his government. He agreed, however, not to use his batteries on the fleet, provided Dewey would refrain from shelling the walled city. This limitation did not apply to the trenches south of the city, from which Dewey drove the Spaniards

early on the morning of the 13th. The brigades of Greene and MacArthur then advanced through Malate, where there was sharp fighting, and occupied all of Manila except the walled city. A flag was then displayed from the walls, and after the usual formalities General Merritt, who had remained aboard the fleet, went ashore and immediately proceeded to the palace of the governor-general, where the preliminary agreement was soon signed.1

Serious trouble now threatened with Aguinaldo, whose troops had followed the Americans into the city and held joint occupation with them over the southern portions. The day after the surrender General Merritt cabled to Washington for instructions on this point, and received a reply that there must be no joint occupation. August 27 Aguinaldo agreed to retire under certain conditions. General Merritt left on the 30th for Paris to confer with the peace commissioners, and was succeeded by General Otis, who replied to Aguinaldo September 8, stating that the United States and Spain were the only recognized belligerents in this war, and that the American troops had forced the Spanish to capitulate. He referred to the unavoidable difficulties of joint occupation, and said that he was compelled by his instructions to direct Aguinaldo to withdraw his armed forces from the entire city of Manila, adding, in conclusion: "I hereby serve notice on

1 Major-General commanding the Army, Report, 1898, p. 39; Senate Docs., 57 Cong., 1 Sess., No. 331, pp. 1406, 2944.