Saturday, April 9, 2011

PHIL.BOOK OF FACTS: AMERICAN OCCUPATION AND THE RISE OF THE PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC of 1898

JANUARY 3-U.S Commodore GEORGE DEWEY assumes command of U.S Naval Asiatic Squadron based in Nagasaki,Japan.(JKE:116) JANUARY 25- U.S battleship MAINE in Havana Harbor,Cuba isuppose to be in a goodwill mission but its real mission was to protect U.S citizens and their properties. (JKE:xxvi) FEB.9- slanderous letter of Spanish diplomat printed in Hearst's New York Journal.(JKE:xxvi) FEB.15- Maine mysteriously blown in Havana Harbor.Ignited SPANISH AMERICAN WAR. FEB.25- Acting Secretary of the Navy THEODORE ROOSEVELT ordered Admiral Dewey to prepare to attack Spanish ships in the Philippines in case war with Spain will broke up . MAY 1- Admiral Dewey destroyed antiquated Spanish fleet in the BATTLE OF MANILA BAY.(JKE:116) MAY 19- Pres.McKinley issued instructions to Gen.W.Merritt.He reminded Merrit of the twofold objectives of the military expedition in the Philippines:the reduction of Spanish powerand of giving order andsecurity to the (Philippine) islands. He also ordered him to publish a proclamation declaring that the United States came "not to make war with the people of the Philippines ..but to protect them in their homes,in their employements,and in their personal and religious rights...Private property...is to be respected..".(CWS:Vol.II,677) Aguinaldo returned to the Philippines from Hong Kong. MAY 21-Second .Asst.Sec.of State to Secretary of War: There are 21,000 Spanish troops in the Philippines ,all but 1,000 stationed in Manila .Advised that large supply of rifles to be distributed to the Filipino "insurgent allies" (CWS:Vol.II;665) MAY 29-Military forces to be sent to the Philippines increased to 20,000 men.(CWS:Vol.II,680) JUNE 4- Henry Peobody and Company based in Boston,Massachussetts,with 8 years close bussiness relations in Manila submitted intelligence data regarding the climate, health,location of Manila; concentration and distrinution of Spanish troops in the Philippines and the morale of native soldiers:" that they have no particular love for the Spaniards...they fight under Spanish rule with outmost valor so long as they think the spanis are invincible.."(CWS:Vol .II,690-691).JUNE 11-H.C.Corbin,Adjutant General to Maj.Gen.W.Merritt:"One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) appropriation for contigencies of the Army,available for your use." (CWS:698)JUNE 12- DECLARATION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE in Kawit,Cavite.,Aguinaldo sought recognition of foriegn powers.(CWS:Vol.II787) JUNE 14-Corbin to Merritt."You should have full 20,000 (men),or even more,if required."(CWS:Vol,II 700).JUNE 15-The transports Zelandia,China,Colon,and Senator sailed at 1:45 p.m under the command of Gen.F.V.Green.(CWS:Vol.II,p.701).JUNE 18-Lt.Slocum in Lisbon, Portugal cabled the U.S Adjutant general that five Spanish auxillary cruisers with 4,000 men sailed for China Sea.(CWS:Vol.II,p.705) JUNE 27-"the ships Indiana,Citry of Para,Morgan,Ohio sailed at @p.m ,Gen.(Arthur ) MacArthur in command." (CWS:Vol.II,715) JUNE 29-"Three expeditions embarkedc for Philippines":First expedition.115 officers and 2,386 enlisted men;second expedition.158 officers and 3,428 enlisted men under Gen.Green and third expedition,197 officers and 4,650 men under Gen.Arthur MacArthur. (CWS:Vol.II,716-715) JULY 6- William day of the Dept.of State,transmitted Consul O.F Williams report dated May 12 on native reactions towards Americans:that they were friendly to him as American representatives;some (the elites ?) expressed that they hope American or Britain would acquire the islands; natives show suffered heavy casulaties but fought with civlity,avoided cruelties and barbarities in contrast with the Spaniards who killed many non combatants.He also mentioned that filipino leader a major Gonzales with 37,000 soldiers,surrounded Manila,captured the railroad lines and the Pasig River,cutting off Spanish supply lines while the Americans cut off the supply by bay and sea "to starve Manila into surrender."(CWS:Vol.II 718-719)
JULY 9-Aguinaldo who was declared president and dictator has about 15,000 men in Cavite,but only 11,000 armed. Gen.Merritt feared that he will try to take Manila without American assistance and became a thret to America's plan to establish a provisional government.(CWS:Vol.II778)
JULY 25-Gen.WESLEY MERRITT arrived in the Philippines and took command of the U.S Expdetionary Forces in the Philippines.(JKE:5) JULY 31-Cardinal Rampolla of Rome coveyed to Mons.Martenelli,Apostolic Delegate of Washington D.C,the popeordered him to take steps at once to have the U.S government prevent prevent the execution of monks held by the rebels in Cavite.U.S government responded by ordering Gen.Merritt that such executions should not be pemitted he is in aposition to prevent such tragic event to happend.(CWS:Vol.II,743) AUGUST 1-Merrit to Adjutant General:"Situation difficult'Insurgents announced independent government ;some are unfriendly,fearing they will not be permtted to enter Manila with my troops.Will join Dewey in note demanding surrender,with assurance of protection from insurgents ( they will be prevented from entering Manila---D).It may be important have my whole force before attacking if necessary to hold insurgents while we fight Spanish,"(CWS:Vol.II,743) AUGUST 12- A protocol was signed between Spain and the United States . The one of the terms of the protocol provided that "(3) Ther United States will occupy and hold the city,bay,harbor of Manila,pending the conclusion of a treaty of peace which shall determine the control,disposition and the government of the Philippines." (For the full text see CWS:Vol.II,750-751) Pres.William Mackinley sent a copy of his Proclamation dated August 12 to Gen.Merritt and ordered him to suspend hostilities and " abstain from all acts inconsistent whith the Proclamation."(ibid.) AUGUST 13- half hour shelling of Manila (Walled City).American land forces under generals MacArthur,Green and Anderson attacked Manila. American suffered around fifty casualties.U.S troops occupied Malate,Binondo,walled city San Miguel. (CWS:Vol.II,754) AUGUST 15-MOCK BATTLE OF MANILA.Consul Wildman of Hong Kong to SEc.DAy: Dewey bombarded Manila and the city surrendered unconditionally. (CWS:Vol.II,752) AUGUST 17-Adjutant Gen.Corbin to Maj,Gen,Merritt:U.S must protect the citizens and properties in Manila and "there must be no joint occupation of Manila and Filipino insurgents must recognize the military occupation and authority of the United States."(CWS:Vol.II.754)AUGUST 20- The terms of CAPITULATION of MANILA ,among the provisions were: (1)Spanish,European and native soldiers to bbe treated with all honors of war ,(2)public propertiesbe turned over to the staff officers designated by the Ubited States (3) Manila,its inhabitants and their properties ,educational and religious establihments put under the protection of the American army.(CWS:Vol.Ii,756-757) .AUGUST 27-GEN.Merritt repoted :About 10,000 armed Filipinos near manila and suburbsFilipinos and their leaders were friendly.Their leaders were mostly men of education and ability.(CWS:Vol.II 767)
SEPTEMBER 3-Filipino insurgents behind American lines.Aguinaldo played delaying tactics in respond to to Merritt's insistence on withdrawing Filipino forces..Gen.Otis described the large part of insurgent army resentful and desired hostilities against American troops and force may be used to eject them in which event may result to war. (CWS:Vol.II ,786)

SEPTEMBER 7-Copy of Gen.Otis' letter to Aguinaldo furnished to the U.S Adjutant General :
Merritt threatened Aguinaldo that he would use force against the Filipino mforces if they would not withdraw their forces in Manila and suburbs.(CWS:Vol.II788-789) SEPT.15-Filipino forces complied with the American demands to withdrawits orces in Manila and surrounding areas,Some insurgent leadersin outlaying districts disobeyed .(CWS:Vol.II,790)

THE BIRTH OF THE PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC: 1898

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