The story of the Philippines, for use in the schools of the Philippine Islands

by Adeline Knapp

GOVERNOR-GENERAL AUGUSTI.

Commodore Dewey now demanded the surrender of Manila, which was refused by Governor-General Augusti. Dewey refrained from taking the city by force, but declared the port blockaded. On the following day he demanded control of the telegraph station, and on this being refused he ordered the cable cut. The officials in Manila had just time to send the dire news to Spain before this order was carried out.

Admiral Dewey—for his government at once rewarded him by promoting him to the rank of admiral—now held the key to the situation in the Philippines. He was in possession of the island of Corregidor (kōr-räg´ē dör), of the arsenal at Cavite, the city of Cavite, and the surrounding country. His fleet lay in the harbor, ready at any moment to force the surrender of Manila; but he was awaiting instructions from home and the arrival of land forces, for which he had asked, before completing his victory.

The Filipinos in arms had taken fresh courage on the approach of the Americans, and had closed in about Manila, so that the Spaniards were literally prisoners within the city limits. Outside, in Manila Bay, the American fleet lay, cutting off all chance of escape by sea.

In the meantime the Filipino leader, Emilio Aguinaldo, had come to Cavite from Hong-Kong, with a number of his companions in exile. They had been given arms from the arsenal by Admiral Dewey, and Aguinaldo had the admiral’s permission to organize his countrymen into an army. It was intended that this army should act with the American forces, when the latter should be ready to take the city and occupy the islands. Aguinaldo, however, took advantage of this opportunity to attempt to organize a dictatorial government, with himself at the head. Out of his misguided ambition to rule, great trouble grew, for Filipinos and Americans alike. The country, already suffering from a long period of misrule and warfare, was plunged into still deeper misery. The Americans were seriously hampered in their efforts to restore order, and the establishment of peace was hindered.

The first reënforcements sent out to Admiral Dewey from America reached Manila Bay in June, 1898, and were landed on the 30th day of that month. Others followed very soon, and on the 25th of July General Wesley Merritt (wes´li mer´it), the first American governor-general of Manila, joined Admiral Dewey. On August 7 these two officers together demanded the surrender of the city, and again on August 9; but the Spaniards refused both demands.

On the 13th of August the Americans made a final demand, and on receiving a third refusal they sent their land forces against Manila. At the same time the fleet began the bombardment of the forts and trenches south of the city. The walled city and the business district of Binondo were purposely spared, as it was not the wish of the Americans to do any more damage than was necessary. The battle was very short, lasting hardly more than an hour. At the end of that time the Spaniards yielded to superior force, and a white flag was hoisted in token of their capitulation.

A few hours later the Spanish and the American commanders met, terms were arranged, and Manila and the Philippine archipelago were surrendered to the United States. The Spanish flag, which floated over Fort Santiago, was hauled down, and the Stars and Stripes took its place.

In the meantime, on the day before, August 12, 1898, a protocol of peace had been signed between Spain and the United States. Such a protocol is an agreement between two nations who are at war with each other to cease fighting until terms of permanent peace can be arranged. By the terms of the protocol it was agreed, among other things, that the United States government was to occupy and hold Manila Bay and the city and harbor of Manila until a treaty of peace should be made between that government and Spain. It was also agreed that Spain and the United States should each appoint not more than five commissioners, to meet in Paris at a date not later than October 1. These commissioners were to arrange terms of peace, and in the meantime all fighting between the two nations should be suspended.

The commissioners were chosen by the two countries, and met in Paris as had been agreed. It was not until the 10th of December, however, that they succeeded in arranging terms. A treaty of peace was completed and signed in Paris on that date. It was ratified in Washington on the 10th of February, 1899, by the President of the United States and a representative of the Queen Regent of Spain.