An Interview with Emilio Aguinaldo

Leader of the Philippine Forces

On August 13th, 11,000 American soldiers flooded into the Philippines and took over Manila, authorized by President McKinley.

Q: How did you feel about the American occupation in Manila?

A: It was unjust and unexpected, provoked by Americans and not by my people.  The constant outrages and taunts of the American soldiers have caused the misery of the people of Manila!

Q: Did you feel like you had any chance to gain Philippine independence?

A: No, all my efforts have been useless against the measureless pride of the American Government and of its representatives in these islands.

Q: Some people have called you a rebel leader.  What do you think of this?

A: People have treated me as a rebel because I defend the sacred interests of my country and do not make myself an instrument of their dastardly imperialism.  I am proud of my country and would not have acted in any other way had I another chance, no matter how the world views me.

Q: Overall, would you say that the American occupation had good intentions?

A: No!  They entered on the pretext of evincing us from Spanish control but their only intent was to gain control of our independence by force.