Aguinaldo still hoped to obtain recognition of his government by the United States, but did not consider such recognition probable, and pushed preparations to attack if a favorable opportunity should offer.

Before occupying ourselves with these preparations, let us briefly review the results of our investigations as to Insurgent cooeperation with the American forces up to this time.

Taylor has made the following excellent summary of the case:—­

“Up to this time Aguinaldo had continued a desultory warfare with the Spanish troops in Manila.  That none of his attacks were very serious is shown from the Spanish reports of casualties; but although he had failed to secure the surrender of the city to himself, he had kept its garrison occupied and within their works.  The American force on land was now strong enough to begin offensive operations.  So far the relations between the Americans and Aguinaldo had not been really friendly.  They were in his way, and yet he could not break with them, for he hoped to use them for the attainment of the designs which he had by this time frankly declared.  The Americans had listened to these declarations, and had not answered them, nor was it possible to answer them.  The American forces were there under the instructions of the President to make war on Spain and to establish a military government in the Philippines.  Aguinaldo had declared himself a dictator and the Philippines independent.  To have recognized him in his civil capacity, to have dealt with him in his civil capacity, would have meant a recognition of his government by the military commander in the field—­a thing impossible and unlawful.  Officers of the United States forces are not empowered to recognize governments; that function is reserved to the President of the United States; and in this case he, in his orders to the Secretary of War, dated May 19, copies of which were forwarded to General Merritt for his guidance, informed him that the army of occupation was sent to the Philippines ’for the twofold purpose of completing the reduction of the Spanish power in that quarter and of giving order and security to the islands while in the possession of the United States.’  These instructions contemplated the establishment of a military government in the archipelago by military officials of the United States.

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“it is true that in spite of the date of these instructions General Merritt in San Francisco had received no copy of them on August 28, three days after the departure of General Anderson, and what that officer knew of them could only have been what General Merritt remembered of the contents of an unsigned copy of them shown him at the White House, but they were in accordance with the practice of the United States Government in occupying conquered territory, that practice General Anderson well knew, and his relations with Aguinaldo were guided by it.