Manila, August 24.—­I am satisfied with America’s occupation.  The Filipinos are disbanding.

Aguinaldo.

Head of the Philippine Insurgent Army.

The same day Aguinaldo issued orders for his soldiers to return to their homes.  The order was obeyed, and the insurgents expressed willingness to surrender if assured that the islands would remain under American or British control.

In a clash at Cavite between United States soldiers and insurgents on August 25, George Hudson, a member of the Utah regiment, was killed, and Corporal William Anderson, of the same battery, was mortally wounded.  Four troopers of the Fourth Cavalry were slightly wounded.  Aguinaldo expressed his regret and promised to punish the offenders.

Complaint of the conduct of Aguinaldo was reported by insurgents a few days later, and he said many of his compatriots accused him of endeavoring to sell out their cause.  This story was his standing excuse for insolence to Americans, and the commission of savage injustice.  He announced his intention to send peace commissioners to Paris.

On September 5, Aguinaldo effected an important alliance with the Santiaglesia party in the northern Provinces of Pangasinan Zamballes.  This party commanded 5,000 troops which hitherto had resisted Aguinaldo’s claims to dictatorship.

At a meeting of twenty leaders of the Filipinos on September 5, eighteen of them declared in favor of annexation to the United States.

Aguinaldo, on September 10, demanded the right to occupy part of Manila.  His demand was refused by General Otis, who ordered him to remove his forces by a given day to avoid trouble.  Aguinaldo removed his headquarters to Malolos on the railroad forty miles north of Manila.

It was on October 10 that the open arrogance of Aguinaldo asserted itself.  He refused to permit a burial party from the British ship Powerful to pass into the city carrying arms.  For this he was reproved by the American commanders, and he apologized.

October 16 Aguinaldo again took the offensive, refusing to permit the American schooner Mermanos to load.  Following that report came the report of a battle between Americans and insurgents, which was exaggerated, but showed the seriousness of the situation.  The same day the Czar of Russia suggested a joint note from the powers to the United States on the Philippine question.

Later Aguinaldo refused the request of General Otis for the release of Spanish priests held as captives by the Filipinos, and General Otis reported the entire island of Panay, with the exception of the City of Iloilo, in the hands of insurgents.

On November 14, the Filipino Junta at Hongkong issued a long statement and petition directed to President McKinley, demanding recognition of the insurgents.

On November 18, President McKinley issued orders to General Otis to occupy the Islands of Panay and Negros, and for this purpose troops were later sent from Manila on an unsuccessful mission.  January 1 came the serious news from Manila that the American forces before Iloilo, under the command of General Miller, were confronted by 6,000 armed Filipinos, who refused them permission to land.