War of Philippine Independence and Under the Stars and Stripes Filipinos are equally heirs to a second great missionary enterprise after Spanish: United States efforts to foster in our country institutions of government and attitudes toward life derived from American experience and faith in democratic ways.1 Originally a port of call for Yankee traders on their long voyage to China, our country became a source of sugar, pepper, hides, and hemp. There was very little in a way of immediate economic interest to make our country of special concern to Americans by the time the Spanish-American War brought Commodore George Dewey’s fleet to Manila Harbor to do battle with the Spanish flotilla on the night of April 30 and the morning of May 1, 1898.2 The Spanish-American War of 1898 provided the opportunity for Filipinos to get rid themselves of Spanish rule. But now Americans asked if they should not take over our country. The virus of imperialism had infected many Americans who wanted to get into the European race for colonies. Theodore Roosevelt, the Under Secretary of the Navy and an enthusiastic proponent of imperialism, on his own initiative had ordered Admiral Dewey to Manila.3 They think that if they would not take over the Philippines, maybe the islands would be seized by another power. There has been a controversy regarding the terms of agreement between General Aguinaldo and Admiral Dewey. Admiral Dewey declared he had given the Filipino leader no direct promise regarding American recognition of the republic.4 Americans think they had the responsibility to Christianize and educate Filipinos; they were unaware that most of us were Catholic Christians. Anti imperialist voices were raised, too, and the vote in the U.S. Senate ratifying the Peace treaty by which the Philippines was handed over to the United States passed by only one vote. The Filipino revolutionaries cried foul and resumed fighting, now against the American t...
