Tentative Title:
Emilio Aguinaldo and his American relations leading to the Philippine-American War
RPH Chapters 1-3 by Meja Ibanez
(can still be changed-- but please do tell me-- and not followed verbatim as to what can be said
about the pictures or evidence that relates to it)
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN THE PPT: WHAT TO SAY ABOUT THE TOPIC
(NOT INCLUDED IN PPT)
Introduction:
1. 1. Emilio Aguinaldo along with Pedro
Aguinaldo, Tomas Aguinaldo,
Joaquin Alejandrino, Celestino
Aragon, Jose Aragon, Primitivo
Artacho, Vito Belarmino, Agapito
Bonzon, Antonio Carlos, Eugenio
de la Cruz, Agustin de la Rosa,
Gregorio H. del Pilar, Valentin
Diaz, Salvador Estrella, Vitaliano
Famular, Dr. Anastacio Francisco,
Pedro Francisco, Francisco Frani,
Maximo Kabigting, Vicente
Kagton, Silvestre Legazpi,
Teodoro Legazpi, Mariano
Llanera, Doroteo Lopez, Vicente
(A picture of Lukban, Lazaro Makapagal,
the revolutionary leaders in exile taken in the early 1898) Miguel Malvar, Tomas Mascardo,
Antonio Montenegro, Benito
Natividad, Carlos Ronquillo,
Manuel Tinio, Miguel Valenzuela,
Wenceslao Viniegra, Escolastico
2. Viola and Lino Viola.
2. Author: Don Emilio Aguinaldo y
Famy
Date: 1899 in his first presidential
term
Place: Philippines
True Version of the Philippine Revolution
(“Reseña Veridica de la Revolucion
Filipina”) is a Tagalog-written and later
English-translated printed book written by
True Version of the Philippine Revolution the first revolutionary president of the
(“Reseña Veridica de la Revolucion Filipina”) Philippines, Emilio Aguinaldo that details
- Originally written in Tagalog now English-translated his accounts of the Philippine revolution
- There may have been some theories surrounding the book but against Spain and later, the Philippine-
can be laid to rest American war. From its detailed
conversation between the American
officials who offered their help down to
the thoughts of Aguinaldo himself on the
matters, it showcases in first person
experience how this infamous event
Tentative Title:
Emilio Aguinaldo and his American relations leading to the Philippine-American War
unraveled itself that ultimately, soon
became a foundation of the government
we see now.
Although some scholars argued as to its
authorship due to a note that came with
the manuscript by Leandro H. Fernandez
— a Filipino historian himself— that said
that the original work was not with
Aguinaldo, Ambeth Ocampo cited in his
3. article of Teodoro A. Agoncillo’s note in
connection to the “John R. Thomas
Collection Relating to the Insurrectionist
Government of the Philippines, 1898-
1899”. This shows of the original Tagalog
draft of which Felipe Buencamino merely
translated it to english.
The copy we have now used is an ebook
version courtesy by Project Gutenberg.
3. As seen in the picture, this is the
4. acknowledgements section of the
book. , Aguinaldo wrote the
reason as why he chose to write
about
4. The Revolution the event after it took place,
of 1896
it was to inform its readers,
especially the Americans, of the
reality behind the scenes in his
communications with the
American officials. Because he
expressly states that leaves the
judgement of its content to its
audience, we can only infer one
more reason and that was to
admonish any opinions or theories
claiming Aguinaldo openly
welcoming the American invasion
after the revolt against the
Spaniards or did nothing about it.
Emilio Aguinaldo Don Ramon Blanco y Erenas 4. In the first chapter, he talked
about the cruel reign of the
Spaniards in our country and the
creation of the first spark of the
revolution. On 26th and 31st
August, 1896, Balintawak, Santa
Mesa, Kalookan, Kawit, Noveleta
and San Francisco de Malabon
rose against the Spaniards. He
also detailed the change of
Tentative Title:
Emilio Aguinaldo and his American relations leading to the Philippine-American War
Spaniard Captain-generals by the
Madrid Government; from Don
Ramon Blanco y Erenas (the
pacifist in subduing the rebels), to
Don Camilo Polavieja who barely
managed to recover half of the
Cavite Province and lastly to the
veteran General Don Fernando
Primo de Rivera who managed to
drive our soldiers to the
mountains. Aguinaldo stated that it
was in this mountains of Biak na
Bato that they formed the
Republican Government of the
Philippines at the end of May,
Don Camilo Don Fernando 1897.
Polavieja Primo de Rivera
5. Treaty of Biak na Bato
5. In the second chapter, Aguinaldo
wrote about his disappointments
towards the Spanish government.
In the treaty that was proposed by
Gen. Rivera, they agreed to pay
the insurgents a total of 800,000
Mexican pesos in return for total
surrender, the agreement in terms
of the limitation of the friars’
power, and the peaceful living of
Aguinaldo’s soldiers after the
treaty. When they were exiled to
Hong Kong as part of their first
agreement, the Spanish
government stabbed them in the
back by not following through and
ordered Aguinaldo and his
fellowmen to never return to
Manila.
6. Negotiation
6. In the 3rd chapter, we see the
negotiations between Admiral
Aguinaldo wrote the Consul’s assurance as follows: Dewey, Mr. Spencer Pratt and
Aguinaldo about the possible
Tentative Title:
Emilio Aguinaldo and his American relations leading to the Philippine-American War
The Consul added that there was no necessity for entering into a plans of helping these Filipinos
formal written agreement because the word of the Admiral and of win the war against the
the United States Consul were in fact equivalent to the most Americans. They talked about
solemn pledge that their verbal promises and assurance would be charting a boat for Aguinaldo to
fulfilled to the letter and were not to be classed with Spanish return back to the Philippines and
promises or Spanish ideas of a man's word of honour. In how the Americans will help him
conclusion the Consul said, "The Government of North America, is by providing firepower and
a very honest, just, and powerful government._" soldiers. This was, however, done
with a mere verbal promise.
When Aguinaldo asked them as to what
is possible the benefit that America can
derive from this, they stated that they
merely want to lessen Spain’s power, and
that they don’t need more colonies in our
country. They also made a verbal
promise that they would recognize the
independence of our country.
WHAT TO SAY
To summarize, the chapters 1 to 3 of the book showed how there has been American influences in the Spanish
revolution ever since Aguinaldo came back from being exiled and backstabbed by the Spaniards in their treaty of
Biak na Bato which caused the resurgence of the revolution but this time with foreign back up. Aguinaldo portrayed
the North American men as helpful and openhanded liberals that ask for nothing in return. We can only conclude that
Aguinaldo looked at the Americans like they were his silver lining. From being tricked by the Spaniards with no
means of returning back home, we can understand where he is coming from. However, we are skeptical of his blind
trust towards them.
Although Aguinaldo’s book was published
with little to no supporting documents, we
have found other evidences of such.
His accounts for the most part are
believable as it also coincides a news
article printed the 11th of June 1898.
7.
Tentative Title:
Emilio Aguinaldo and his American relations leading to the Philippine-American War
Here is Apolinario Mabini’s account upon
knowing of the verbal alliance between
Aguinaldo and Consul Pratt and Admiral
Dewey.
8.
Translated to English by: Leon Ma. Guerrero
(originally in Spanish)
9. However, we found a book written by
James Blount entitled “The American
Occupation in the Philippines”
showcasing Consul Pratt’s and Admiral
Type of Source: Secondary Dewey’s perspective when interviewed on
Type of Document: Book the matter.
Published daten: 1913
(a year after the occurrence of events) Firstly, it helped verify the telegram
Author: James Blount communications Consul Pratt had with
(his position in the Philippines has been Admiral Dewey during Aguinaldo’s exile in
Hong Kong to Singapore. An example of
stated below his name)
their communication is seen.
At this interview, it was arranged that if Admiral Dewey, then at Hong
Kong with his squadron awaiting orders, should so desire, Aguinaldo
should proceed to Hong Kong to arrange for co-operation of the
insurgents at Manila with our naval forces in the prospective operations
against the Spaniards.
Accordingly, that Sunday, Mr. Pratt telegraphed Dewey through our
consul at Hong Kong:
Aguinaldo, insurgent leader, here. Will come Hong Kong arrange with
Commodore for general co-operation insurgents Manila if desired. Telegraph.
Admiral Dewey (then Commodore) replied:
Tentative Title:
Emilio Aguinaldo and his American relations leading to the Philippine-American War
Tell Aguinaldo come soon as possible.
This message was received late Sunday night, April 24th, and was at
once communicated to Aguinaldo.
10. According to James Blount, Consul Pratt
was proud of his aid towards the
“Considering the enthusiastic manner General Aguinaldo has been received by Philippine cause where he wrote to the
the natives and the confidence with which he already appears to have inspired State Department the following:
Admiral Dewey, it will be admitted, I think, that I did not over-rate his
importance and that I have materially assisted the cause of the United States
in the Philippines in securing his co-operation.”
11. However, Consul Pratt's dream of future
greatness due to his material connection
and promise with Bonifacio was short-
lived because the State Department
issued for his quiet removal in the office.
The State Department reprimanded his
sanction of helping the cause of
Philippines in exchange for the sacrifice
of American lives in taking on this battle,
by saying that he sanctioned actions
(James Blount’s narrative on the State Department’s decision regarding without the proper authorization. In other
Consul Pratt’s actions) words, they frowned upon Consul Pratt's
charitable arrangement without anything
in return.
12. Battle of Manila Bay, photo by the Detroit Publishing Company, While Emilio Aguinaldo was outside of the
Photographs Collection, US Library of Congress. country, USA already waged a war
against Spain on the 21st of April 1898. By
the time Emilio Aguinaldo arrived at
Singapore (in which he wrote that he
didn’t make it in time as Admiral Dewey
already left for Manila a day earlier), the
battle in Manila Bay was already
happening.
This American victory was fought on the
1st of May and earned Admiral George
Dewey high praise from his country where
he only lost 1 of his crewmen in his
attack. This, later on, was the reason he
became a National Hero of his country.
Blount’s compiled accounts revealed
Tentative Title:
Emilio Aguinaldo and his American relations leading to the Philippine-American War
Admiral Dewey in a different spotlight.
Commodore George Dewey
(second from right) on the
bridge of USS Olympia during
the battle of Manila Bay. Others
present are (left to right):
Samuel Ferguson (apprentice
signal boy), John A. McDougall
(Marine orderly) and Merrick
Asked by the Committee when he first heard from Aguinaldo and his
people in 1898, Admiral Dewey said2:
I should think about a month before leaving Hong Kong, that is, about the first Aguinaldo portrayed Admiral Dewey as
this gallant, and good-hearted military
of April, when it became pretty certain that there was to be war with Spain, I
man who he had a de facto alliance to
heard that [17]there were a number of Filipinos in the city of Hong Kong who when Admiral Dewey’s first impression of
were anxious to accompany the squadron to Manila in case we went over. I saw him was as Blount said, “like those of
these men two or three times myself. They seemed to be all very young earnest most Americans after him, were not very
boys. I did not attach much importance to what they said or to themselves. favorable”. He didn’t take them seriously
Finally, before we left Hong Kong for Mirs Bay3 I received a telegram from
Consul-General Pratt at Singapore saying that Aguinaldo was there and anxious
to see me. I said to him “All right; tell him to come on,” but I attached so little
importance to Aguinaldo that I did not wait for him. He did not arrive, and we
sailed from Mirs Bay without any Filipinos.
13. Aguinaldo’s arrival back to the country on May 19, 1898
The McCulloch arrived in Manila Bay with Aguinaldo [20]and his outfit,
May 19th. Let Admiral Dewey tell what happened then6:
Aguinaldo came to see me. I said, “Well now, go ashore there; we have got our
forces at the arsenal at Cavite, go ashore and start your army.” He came back in
the course of a few hours and said, “I want to leave here; I want to go to Japan.” Upon the arrival of Aguinaldo back in the
I said, “Don’t give it up, Don Emilio.” I wanted his help, you know. He did not mainland, Admiral Dewey was seen to
sleep ashore that night; he slept on board the ship. The next morning, he went constantly advise and encourage
on shore, still inside my lines, and began recruiting men. Aguinaldo. It seems that Mabini was right
in his skepticism towards the Americans
because when Aguinaldo suggested to
create a barge to use for attacking,
Dewey went with it because it was saving
14. On Aguinaldo’s insistence on following up on their ‘verbal promise’ his troops less casualties.
In a proclamation published at Tarlac in the latter part of 1899, which
appears to have been a sort of swan-song of the Philippine Republic,
Aguinaldo had said, in effect, “Certainly Admiral Dewey did not bring
Tentative Title:
Emilio Aguinaldo and his American relations leading to the Philippine-American War
me from Hong Kong to Manila to fight the Spaniards for the benefit of
American Trade Expansion,” and in this proclamation he claimed that
Admiral Dewey promised him independence. The de facto allegiance would soon
crumble to Aguinaldo’s loss because
Admiral Dewey denounced this statement
15. as false. Later on, it was followed up with
Mr. Spencer Pratt’s same refusal. As
Pratt later contested Aguinaldo's account of these events, and denied any evidenced in (no. 15).
"dealings of a political character" with the leader.[50] Admiral Dewey also
refuted Aguinaldo's account, stating that he had promised nothing regarding the
future:
From my observation of Aguinaldo and his advisers I decided that it
would be unwise to co-operate with him or his adherents in an official
manner. ... In short, my policy was to avoid any entangling alliance
with the insurgents, while I appreciated that, pending the arrival of our
troops, they might be of service.[40]
WHAT TO SAY
After reading and contextualizing Aguinaldo’s first three chapters, we understood how Aguinaldo must have been
desperate to bring back the revolution that fizzled out for five months (December to May). We realized how Emilio
Aguinaldo was too dependent on the Americans that it also caused one of our downfalls. Even Admiral Dewey
commented on how obedient Aguinaldo was during their whole trip back to Manila. He knew that we looked up to
them as the liberators only to find out that they have a different definition of freedom, merely a change of masters.
Aguinaldo’s accounts gave us insight on how American imperialism looks from the naïve point of view of the
oppressed while James Blount gave us the cruel reality on the perspective of the oppressor.
In fact, Emilio Aguinaldo has no shortage of infamous controversies and attached mistakes to his name. However,
we would still like to cast aside our doubts and let evidences of the past evoke the truth, as students of a progressive
era.
References used (including the links to the picture sources):
https://www.filipinoamericanwar18991902.com/emilioaguinaldoreturns.htm
https://www.google.com.ph/amp/s/opinion.inquirer.net/119815/emilio-aguinaldo-150/amp
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Emilio-Aguinaldo
Tentative Title:
Emilio Aguinaldo and his American relations leading to the Philippine-American War
https://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/1898/blanco.html
https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1395/today-in-philippine-history-december-
13-1896-camilo-polavieja-arrived-in-manila-as-new-governorgeneral
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Fernando_Primo_de_Rivera_y_Orbaneja
https://www.univie.ac.at/Voelkerkunde/apsis/aufi/history/mabini09.htm
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1898-06-11/ed-1/seq-1/
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/36542/36542-h/36542-h.htm?
fbclid=IwAR0P1st90fu3g1CQZAxhEIcGQu2NATXSoTxzLGnx9RwCgVY1UhGXXZdUBA
o#xd20e942
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine%E2%80%93American_War
https://www.filipinoamericanwar18991902.com/battleofmanilabay.htm
