November 1898, waiting for the conclusion of the Treaty of Paris

MANILA Opera House circa 1898. PHOTO FROM NATIONAL HISTORICAL COMMISSION OF THE PHILIPPINES COLLECTION

November 1898 continued the dual and non-intersecting tracks for Filipinos and Americans. On November 29, 1898, the Philippine Congress approved the historic and progressive Malolos Constitution in Malolos town, Bulacan province. The completed document was sent to then Philippine President Emilio Aguinaldo for his approval.

The five American commissioners were still in Paris negotiating the peace treaty. They were getting tired of Spanish objections and essentially issued a take it or leave it ultimatum to the Spaniards. The Americans had decided to annex all the Philippine Islands.

One of the obstacles that the American commissioners had to contend with was their own chief executive, William McKinley. McKinley displayed indecision and avoidance of difficult issues following the cessation of hostilities with Spain and during the Paris peace talks.

The American president knew that the United States could not return the Philippines to Spain. He also understood that imperial powers such as Great Britain, Japan, and Germany were eager to annex the Philippines if the United States did not act.

Over time, McKinley became fully aware that the sentiment of most Americans was in favor of expansion.

The recent annexation of the Hawaii Islands was very popular in the United States. McKinley started to accept that the annexation of the Philippines was his “duty” and the country’s “destiny.” He eventually stated that his decision on the Philippines was based on divine guidance. He mistakenly thought that the Filipinos were “…unfit for self-government.” He concluded that if the United States did not annex the Philippines, then “anarchy” and “misrule” would prevail in the Philippines.

The annexation of the Philippines was not popular with all Americans. In November 1898, an important American opposition group was formed. The American Anti-Imperial League was created in Boston, Massachusetts. The founders of this group were very prominent in government, religion, and business in the United States.

The members argued that imperialism was incompatible with a representative democracy and liberty for free people. The United States had fought a war of independence against British colonialism, and it would be egregious for the United States to now become a colonist.

November 1, 1898, was a necessary break for Filipino and American soldiers facing each other in Manila and the surrounding areas. Since it was All Saints’ Day, most businesses and factories were closed for the holiday. Most of the American soldiers were very impressed and amazed at the unique blend of religious solemnity and festiveness of the holiday.

Many American soldiers compared the holiday with Decoration Day in the United States since it was a day to remember and honor the departed. (Decoration Day is now known as Memorial Day in the United States.)

Once the holiday was over, tension between Aguinaldo and the American forces resumed. The Americans were attempting to remove Filipino troops from key points and strongholds along Manila Bay.

The Americans still prohibited Filipino forces from entering Manila. The rumors from the Paris Treaty negotiations that the Americans were demanding to annex all the Philippine Islands were supported by American actions on the ground in Manila.

As strained relations between Filipinos and Americans got worse in November 1898, both sides were attempting to enlarge troop numbers.

Aguinaldo was actively recruiting more troops. Two American ships, the Senator and the Valencia, arrived in Manila Bay on a Wednesday, November 23, 1898, with fresh troops. The American soldiers, who had been in the Philippines since June and July 1898, no longer believed the rumors that they were heading home shortly.

For the average American soldier, most days in November 1898 were consumed with outpost and guard duties. There were constant drills and an occasional dress parade. The biggest pastime was baseball. One baseball game between two volunteer regiments attracted four 4,000 spectators. Many of the observers were Filipinos who were intrigued by this American game.

There was a second holiday at the end of November for the Americans. Thursday, November 24, 1898, was Thanksgiving. The soldiers had the day off. Steak was on the holiday menu not turkey.

Many of them were finishing their Christmas shopping in Manila. They had to meet deadlines for getting their presents and packages ready for ships carrying mail to the United States. The American soldiers were now discounting rumors of imminent departure. They realized that they were never going to make it home for Christmas.

Thanksgiving 1898 ended with a well-received concert at the Manila Opera House. A Filipino band conducted quite a performance for the American soldiers. Unfortunately, a couple hours of beautiful music could not begin to heal the fissure that was developing between Filipinos and Americans.

(Dennis Edward Flake is the author of three books on Philippine-American history. He is public historian and a former park ranger in interpretation for the National Park Service at the Eisenhower National Historic Site in Gettysburg, PA. He can be contacted at: [email protected])