“Senator Patterson. And you found nothing to cause any doubt as to his loyalty up to the time until after Manila surrendered?
“Admiral Dewey. His loyalty to whom?
“Senator Patterson. To you and to the cause for which he was fighting?
“Admiral Dewey. I began to suspect he was not loyal to us about the time our troops arrived, when he demurred at moving out of Cavite to make room for our troops.
“Senator Patterson. Do you mean by that that you feared that he was commencing to think more of independence than the success of the American cause?
“Admiral Dewey. Yes.”[34]
We have seen to what extent Aguinaldo coöperated with the marine forces of the United States. Now let us examine the claim that he cooperated with the land forces after their arrival.
One of the things which the Insurgents are said to have accomplished was the maintenance of an effective land blockade which prevented the entrance of provisions, and produced a very serious food shortage. Both Otis and Dewey have stated that they did this, but we learn from the Insurgent records how erroneous was this conclusion.[35]
The landing of the American troops for the attack on Manila was not actively opposed by the Filipinos, but it was narrowly and distrustfully watched.
Necessary transportation requested by General Anderson was ultimately furnished by Aguinaldo, but only grudgingly after a three weeks’ delay, and as a result of threats that it would be seized if not voluntarily supplied.