provide for his own future out of the public funds. Certainly it was not a school in which to train an impressionable people in the civic virtues or to develop in them the qualities necessary for self-government. PART IV American Occupation and Change of Sovereignty "In proportion as the navigation of the west coast of America extends the influence of the American element over the South Sea, the captivating, magic power which the great Republic exercises over the Spanish Colonies, will not fail to make itself felt also in the Philippines. The Americans are evidently destined to bring to a full development the germs originated by the Spaniards. As conquerors of modern times, they pursue their road to victory with the assistance of the pioneer's ax and plow, representing an age of peace and commercial prosperity in contrast to that bygone and chivalrous age whose champions were upheld by the cross and protected by the sword." Jagor, Travels in the Philippines, (London, 1875), p. 369. “To extend rulership over subdued natives is to bad men a felicity, but to good men a necessity."-St. Augustine. "No Constitution was ever before so well calculated as ours for extensive empire and self-government."-Thomas Jefferson (1809). CHAPTER XII The Capture of Manila Conditions in 1898-Means of Defense-Opinions as to Relative PowerDewey at Hong Kong-And Mirs Bay-Localizing a War-Spanish Preparations at Manila-Destruction of the Spanish Fleet-At Anchor on the Battle-Field-New Problems for the Government-Attitude of Foreign Naval Officers-The Germans-The Filipinos Disloyal to Spain-Arrival of American Troops-Camp Dewey-The Military Situation-Delaying the Attack -Plan for Painless Extraction of Spaniards-Night Attacks-Demands for Surrender-Capture of the City-Terms of Capitulation-The Insurgents and Their Claims-Conflict Avoided-The Matériel Captured. The eventful year of 1898 found the Philippines enjoying a condition of comparative quiet. The insurrection had been brought to an end by the arrangement at Biak-na-bató, and the leaders were scattered in foreign countries. But there were rumblings of discontent over the failure of the government to institute reforms which it was claimed were a part of the consideration upon which the insurgents had laid down their arms, and numerous small bodies were still disturbing various sections of the country.1 Primo de Rivera was governor-general,2 with Admiral Montojo in command of the fleet. The serious insurrection of 1896 had made it necessary to strengthen the army and navy, and although a number of soldiers had been returned to the Peninsula the Spanish military power in the islands was much greater than it had been for many years.3 1 The most serious disturbances were in southern Pangasinan, Zambales and Cebu. Report of Consul-General Williams. Sen. Doc. 62, 55th Cong., 3d Sess., p. 221. 2 On April 10 he was succeeded by Lieutenant-General Basilio Augustin, "the well-meaning but rather dunderheaded old soldier whom the Liberals had sent out to take his place." 8 For a memorandum of Spanish troops in the Philippines, see Correspondence Relating to the War with Spain, II, p. 654. General Corbin estimated the number at 41,014. |