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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Noel de Leon who wrote (49312)	10/4/2002 11:06:13 AM
From: Hawkmoon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

The USA saw a chance to take over with superior arms and expand their sphere of interest. Don't disagree there.. Imperialism was still "popular" at that time (which is why Spain was ruling the Philipines in the first place), and Teddy Roosevelt had an imperialist streak in him. But while you're beating up on US policy of the time, I hope won't ignore the fact that US went far in developing the nation, stabilizing the government, and eventually granting it independence. And you should also know that it was just not the US seeking to replace the Spanish as the new colonial power over the Philipines. Germany, Britain, France and Japan all were keenly looking at defeating any attempt for Philipine independence. So it's quite likely that, had not the US sent Dewey to defeat the Spanish Navy in Manila Bay, other imperial powers would have done so... And as history has shown even before WWII, the Japanese had grand designs on the Philipines and were it not for the presence of the United States, it would have been unlikely that the Philipines could have resisted them. And as we all know, even the US couldn't resist the Japanese military in 1941. So what makes anyone believe the Philipines could have protected themselves from the pack of hungry wolves which surrounded them in the region, is beyond my understanding. Btw, I had recalled reading that other nations were vying for control over the Philipines, but I hadn't been familiar with some of the specifics. I found the following link which described to what extent some other European colonial powers had been willing to provoke the US in challenging any "claim" we might have on the Islands: By the summer of 1898, Manila had become the focus not only of the Spanish-American conflict and the growing suspicions between the Americans and Filipino rebels but also of a rivalry that encompassed the European powers. Following Dewey's victory, Manila Bay was filled with the warships of Britain, Germany, France, and Japan. The German fleet of eight ships, ostensibly in Philippine waters to protect German interests (a single import firm), acted provocatively--cutting in front of United States ships, refusing to salute the United States flag (according to naval courtesy), taking soundings of the harbor, and landing supplies for the besieged Spanish. Germany, hungry for the ultimate status symbol, a colonial empire, was eager to take advantage of whatever opportunities the conflict in the islands might afford. Dewey called the bluff of the German admiral, threatening a fight if his aggressive activities continued, and the Germans backed down. The Spanish cause was doomed, but Fermín Jaudenes, Spain's last governor in the islands, had to devise a way to salvage the honor of his country. Negotiations were carried out through British and Belgian diplomatic intermediaries. A secret agreement was made between the governor and United States military commanders in early August 1898 concerning the capture of Manila. In their assault, American forces would neither bombard the city nor allow the insurgents to take part (the Spanish feared that the Filipinos were plotting to massacre them all). The Spanish, in turn, would put up only a show of resistance and, on a prearranged signal, would surrender. In this way, the governor would be spared the ignominy of giving up without a fight, and both sides would be spared casualties. The mock battle was staged on August 13. The attackers rushed in, and by afternoon the United States flag was flying over Intramuros, the ancient walled city that had been the seat of Spanish power for over 300 years. The agreement between Jaudenes and Dewey marked a curious reversal of roles. At the beginning of the war, Americans and Filipinos had been allies against Spain in all but name; now Spanish and Americans were in a partnership that excluded the insurgents. Fighting between American and Filipino troops almost broke out as the former moved in to dislodge the latter from strategic positions around Manila on the eve of the attack. Aguinaldo was told bluntly by the Americans that his army could not participate and would be fired upon if it crossed into the city. The insurgents were infuriated at being denied triumphant entry into their own capital, but Aguinaldo bided his time. Relations continued to deteriorate, however, as it became clear to Filipinos that the Americans were in the islands to stay. 1upinfo.com Hawk