They demanded for themselves Malacanang palace and other buildings and a share in “the war booty.”  They promptly looted the parts of the city which they occupied, and ultimately retired from their positions within the city limits on the evening of their last day of grace after being warned by General Otis that if they did not do so they would be driven out.

I will now quote from the records in support of these statements.

The following is the programme of “cooeperation” outlined to Aguinaldo by Bray in a letter dated June 30, 1898:—­

“I am very anxious to receive the news of the capitulation of Manila and I hope that General Augustin will be obliged to turn over his sword to you in person and not to the Americans.  You are by right entitled to it and I should like to see it so from a political standpoint, as I am of the opinion that you should declare the independence of the Philippines before the arrival of General Merritt, appointed by the President to be Governor with full powers to establish a provisional government.

* * * * *

Any attempt on the part of the Americans to garrison the interior towns with their troops or any other act which might be construed as a conquest, should meet with resistance.

* * * * *

“After having written these lines, I had another conference with Mr. St. Clair of the Free Press, who sent for me regarding the question of independence.  He has had a consultation with the Supreme Judge of this place, and he is of opinion that you should proclaim independence at once, notwithstanding what Admiral Dewey and Consul Williams say against it, and this should be done before General Merritt can arrive.  A Government having been thus constituted in due form, the Americans would have no right to invade the Philippines without committing a violation of international law.  They are no longer fighting against the Spaniards against whom they declared war.  The advice of Consul Williams to delay this, is a diplomatic play to gain time until the arrival of General Merritt, because he is well aware of the false position said General would find himself in.  The key to the situation is now in your hands; do not permit any one to take it away from you.  The Americans have done nothing but bombard and destroy the Spanish fleet on the high seas; they have not conquered any land, but in the meantime the control of the Philippines has passed by conquest from the hands of the Spaniards and the Americans have no right to enter further.  Under certain conditions and guarantees, permit the landing of American troops; but be very careful, they must not be permitted to land until they execute an agreement with the duly constituted government of the Philippines, respecting all its institutions, and they must under no pretext whatever be permitted to garrison any place except the municipal limits of Manila, Cebu, and Iloilo, and even therein care should be observed ...  You must not permit a single soldier to land without having these guarantees.” [107]