FILIPINO-AMERICAN HOSTILITIES
American Apostasy
Americans first approach aguinaldo in Hongkong and in Singapore to persuade him to help Commodore Dewey in wresting the power from the Spaniards. It is not true that there was an informal alliance between Dewey and Aguinaldo(an alliance to fight the common enemy,the Spaniards).Americans showed that they used Aguinaldo as a tool for their own selfish purpose.But their attitude towards Aguinaldo showed that they came to Philippines not as a friend ,but as an enemy pretending as a friend.It is not strange to Aguinaldo and his men looked upon the Americans with suspicion .December 1898,the Treaty of Paris was signed without even consulting the Filipino people and their representatives , the Filipino allianace was forged under the pressure of necessity gave way to mutual hostility.
McKinley's "Benevolent Assimilation" Proclamation
December 21,1898 ,McKinley's issued his co-called "Benevolent Assimilation" Proclamation. This proclamation was the first official indication of American policy regarding the Philippines. In order to comply with the President`s order and at the same time not to antagonize unduly the Filipinos, Otis published McKinley`s proclamation on January 4, 1898 with some amendments inserted in such a way as not to convey the meanings of the original "sovereignty," "protection," and right of cession."
Filipino Reaction
General Miller published the original text of the proclamation .The proclamation was immediately subjected to severe attacks. Antonio Luna editor of La Indepencia, led the attack on the proclamation. January 5, Aguinaldo issued a counter proclamation.
Attempts to Relax the Tension
Aguinaldo tried his best to relax the Filipino-American tension. The conference began on January 9 and continued up to January 29.
Thr San Juan Bridge Incident
Incident followed incident which led to the outbreak of hostilities. On February 1, a group of American engineers was arrested by the Filipino troops.The following day, Otis filed a protest with Aguinaldo.The latter replied that the five Americans were not arrested but detained.
Investigation of the Incident
Captain Fernando Grey wired Malolos saying that the Americans had started the hostilities. On February 7, Buencamino asked Secretary of War Baldomero Aguinaldo for information regarding the incident. Investigation was conducted and witnesses called to testify on what the knew about the event. It appeared from the investigations that the senior military officers were not at their posts on the night on February 4. The American military authorities made no attempt to investigate the incident. Instead, they ordered an all-out attack against their former allies.
American Victories
February 23, Antonio Luna marched against the city, burning the houses in the suburbs to create confusion in the rank of the enemy.
The Drive to the North
In the late February and early March American reinforcements arrived from the United States. In Quingua (Plaridel), on April 23, the American cavalry under Major Bell suffered a defeat in the hands of General Gregorio del Pilar.
The Fall of Mabini
Mabini as the president of the cabinet was the most powerful man behind Aguinaldo. When the United States, through the Schurman Commission announced the policy of the American Government of extending its sovereignty over the Philippines, Mabini urged the Filippinos to continue the bitter struggle for independence. On May 5, Secretary of State John Hay cabled the Schurman Commission authorizing it to offer autonomy to the Filipinos. May 7, 1899, Aguinaldo wrote Mabini notifying him of the formation of a new Cabinet under Paterno.
Assassination of Luna
Antonio Luna was the best prepared to fight the American enemy of all the Filipino soldier . in several instances during the hostilities, Luna showed his terrible temper. Luna won many enemies who may not have sound reasons to hate him. Early in June 1899 when Luna was at Bayambang Pangasinan he receive a telegram
