The Struggle Continues

1. Explain why Primo de Rivera was relieved as governor-general of the Philippines. Do

you think that this move was wise? Explain your answer.

In Spain, the election of the Conservative Party resulted to send General Basilio
Augustin as governor-general to succeed Primo de Rivera. The new Spanish Prime
Minister insisted on Primo de Rivera’s relief so on April 9, 1898, General Agustin arrived
in Manila and then turned over the reigns of government to him.
No, because Primo de Rivera was performing well in the Philippines and succeed
in stopping the bloodshed. He had good intentions, and would make Filipino rebels return
to Spain as faithful subjects. Primo Rivera knew the Philippines very well and he knew
the Filipinos well enough. The newly appointed had never been to Philippines and did not
know the problems confronting the country.

2. Why did the Americans favor the Cubans? Do you think that the Americans were
justified in their attitude? Why?

The Americans favor the Cubans because the relationship between Spain and
United States was becoming sour and the Cuban Revolution has won the sympathy of the
Americans because the latter had big investments in Cuba which they did not want to be
destroyed.
Yes, because the Americans did not have good relationship with Spain and they
had big investments in Cuba so they choose to help Cubans. And Spain on this time was
preoccupied with two revolutions: one in Cuba and one in the Philippines.

3. What was the immediate cause of the Spanish-American War? Do you think the
Spaniards had something to do with the sinking of the battleship USS Maine? Why?
The immediate cause of the Spanish-American War was when on February 15,
1898, the American battleship, USS Maine exploded at Havana Harbor in Cuba. Spain
was blamed for this accident for more than 200 American sailors and officers died on that
incident. The American people were outraged and demanded war be declared on Spain.
No, because on later investigation of the incident failed to connect the explosion
to the Spaniards. So it wasn’t sure if Spain was to be blamed for this incident. However,
the Congress of the United Stated formally declared war on Spain.

4. In your opinion, what is the importance of the battle of Manila Bay?

In my opinion, the importance of the battle of Manila Bay was when United
States defeated the Spanish Pacific fleet, resulting in the fall of the Philippines and
contributing to the final U.S. victory in the Spanish-American War. The Battle of Manila
 was one sided. The heavier and better-armed American ships outgunned the Spanish fleet
and Admiral Montojo’s fleet was destroyed and the Spaniards raised a white flag as a
sign of surrender.

5. Explain why Aguinaldo went to Singapore. Was he justified in doing so?

In Hong Kong, Aguinaldo and his companions was in exile were following the
events on the other side of the world. Aguinaldo was in trouble because Isabelo Artacho
went to Hong Kong and asked him to divide the P400, 000 but Aguinaldo refused. So to
avoid the scandal Aguinaldo was advised by Felipe Agoncillo to leave Hong Kong and
went to Singapore.
Yes, in order to avoid conflict and scandal because by doing this he was able to
get an interview with Pratt and Wildman and negotiate with an agreement to help
Aguinaldo fight the Spaniards.

6. Why do you think Isabelo Artacho asked for the distribution of the P400,000 given to
Aguinaldo as payment for the rebels’ surrender? Do you think it was right to do this?

Isabelo Artacho and Felix Ferrer wrote the provisional constitution which was
based on the Cuban Constitution knows as Jimaguayu Constitution which he plagiarist it.
He demanded Aguinaldo to divide the money that given by the colonial government to
the rebels. He wanted to claim his share of money and demanded an accounting on how it
was spent.
My answer would be no, because this money was from the truce and agreement
between Spain and Philippines where Aguinaldo requested the money. And Aguinaldo
was thinking of buying this money for arms and ammunitions to fight and strengthen
Filipino rebels and gain independence.

7. What was the agreement between Aguinaldo and Spencer Pratt in Singapore?

Spencer Pratt told Aguinaldo through the interpreter Howard Bray, that
Aguinaldo should side with the Americans and told him not to worry because the United
States, which was near the Cuba, had no desire to take Cuba as a colony. Pratt assured
Aguinaldo that the United States had no intention of making the Philippines a colony.
Aguinaldo then agreed to return to the Philippines to renew the hostilities against the
Spaniards.

8. Why did the HongKong Junta decide that Aguinaldo should return to the Philippines?
Was this decision wise?
The Filipino patriots in Hong Kong met to discuss the steps to be taken over the
Philippines. These Filipino patriots composed the Hongkong Junta. Upon the arrival of
 Aguinaldo he told them the interview with Pratt and Wildman. There was an exchange of
points of view and the Junta decided that Aguinaldo should return to the Philippines and
he would the Filipinos once more against the Spaniards. Yes, because are looking for
ways to strengthen the arms and ammunition of the Filipinos and fighting for
independence against the Spaniards.

9. What was Aguinaldo purpose in returning to the Philippines? Why do you think
Aguinaldo refused to live in Hong Kong?

Aguinaldo accepted the decision of the Junta’s for he had faith and confidence of
its members for they are highly educated and patriotic Filipinos. In accordance to the
agreement he had on Pratt, Wildman and Dewey Aguinaldo’s purpose in returning to the
Philippines, he handed the Filipino rebels copies of proclamations to urged the people to
rise in arms once more and to continue the struggle against the Spanish oppressors.
Issued in the proclamation saying that,
For me, Aguinaldo refused to live in Hong Kong because the Philippine
independence was not yet attained and he wanted to strengthen the Filipino rebels and
proclaim independence against the Spaniards. Aguinaldo also hold on to the agreement
he had with the Americans that drives him to achieve independence to the country.

10. Dewey could have bombarded the City from Manila Bay, but he did not. Can you explain
why Dewey did not besiege the City of Manila?

Dewey could not deploy troops in Manila because he did not have enough
soldiers aboard the battleship. All he could do was to guard Manila Bay and prevent
Spanish ships from entering and leaving the bay.

11. Explain why the American commanders entered into a secret agreement with General
Fermin Jaudenes. Was this right? Explain your answer.

Dewey did not have enough forces to besiege the city. General Arthur MacArthur
believed that they could fight the Spaniards but Dewey though that he could make the
Spaniards surrender without a fight. So he sent the Belgian consul Governor Augustin to
negotiate with him. The governor was ready to surrender but the Government of Spain
did not like this so he was relieved of his duty and was replaced by General Fermin
Jaudenes. Jaudenes believed that the Spanish position was very weak but he could not
stop surrender without losing face and thinking of the Spanish honor. So he entered a
secret agreement with Dewy and General Wesley Meritt.

12. What was the secret agreement? Why do you think General Jaudenes did not want the
Filipino rebels to enter Intramuros?
 The secret agreement of Jaudenes, Merritt and Dewey, was that would stage a
mock battle to lead to Spanish surrender. It was also agreed upon that the Filipino rebels
should not be allowed by their American allies to enter the city.
In my opinion, Intramuros or Walled City is like a base or the major foundation of
the city. Then if who can siege this city then will acquire the whole country. The Filipino
rebels have been denied to enter the city.

13. What was the mock battle of Manila? Why was it called a mock battle?

The mock battle of Manila was about the agreement between American and
Spanish forces designed to betray the Filipinos. This was the result of negotiations
between George Dewey and Spanish Governor General Fermin Jaudenes to end the
conflict between the United States together with Filipino revolutionary forces and Spain
battling control over Manila.
It was a mock battle because it was a fake battle or a pretend battle planned and
scripted between America and Spain.

14. What were the terms of capitulation or surrender? Were the term just? Explain your
answer.

The Spanish governor-general agreed to sign the surrender document. In line with
terms of surrender, the Spaniards including the Filipino volunteers under the payroll of
the Spanish Army inside the city, agreed to admit defeat. And on the other hand, the
Americans agreed to protect the city, its inhabitants, its buildings, and churches. Then it
was formally signed by the representatives of the United States and Spain. They also
have the protocol of peace where both nations would appoint less than 5 commissionaires
and to discuss the peace of treaty in Paris.
No, because this agreement happened only between two parties the Spain and
United States. They broke their promise to the Philippines that they will not colonize the
country and would help them. They betrayed Aguinaldo and the country into thinking
that they will only help and that we will achieve independence however the United States
and Spain made a secret agreement with each other to create peace between them. The
person who you trusted turns out to be your enemy.

15. Explain why the mock battle of Manila should not have taken place. What is the
significance of this battle?

The mock battle was like a fake action to just put an act and convince Filipinos
that the Spaniards surrender. However, on the other side it was already planned and was
just intended for it to happen. Just to save the honor of Spain. This shows deception and
betrayal to the Filipinos. It became clear that Americans were in the islands to stay and
colonize. The Filipinos were left to face another Western colonizer after defeating one.