Shows how entirely easy would be the task of evolving the American Ireland we have laid up for ourselves in the Philippines into complete Home Rule by 1921, the date proposed for Philippine independence in the pending Jones bill, introduced in the House of Representatives in March, 1912. Chapter XXIX The Way Out 647-655 Shows how, by neutralization treaties with the other powers, as proposed in many different resolutions, of both Republican and Democratic origin, now pending in Congress, whereby the other powers should agree not to annex the Islands after we give them their independence, the Philippines can be made permanently neutral territory in Asiatic politics exactly as both Switzerland and Belgium have been for nearly a hundred years in European politics. Index 657 ILLUSTRATIONS Page The Capture of Aguinaldo, March 23, 1901--The Central Fact of the American Military Occupation Frontispiece From the Drawing by F. C. Yohn Copyright by Charles Scribner's Sons Bird's-eye View of the Philippine Archipelago, Showing Preponderating Importance of Luzon 228 Outline Sketch of the Theatre of Operations in Luzon, 1899 232 Sketch Map of the Philippines At End THE AMERICAN OCCUPATIONS OF THE PHILIPPINES CHAPTER I MR. PRATT'S SERENADE Had I but served my God with half the zeal I served my king, he would not in mine age Have left me naked to mine enemies. King Henry VIII., Act III., Sc. 2. Any narrative covering our acquisition of the Philippine Islands must, of course, centre in the outset about Admiral Dewey, and the destruction by him of the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay on Sunday morning, May 1, 1898. But as the Admiral had brought Aguinaldo down from Hong Kong to Manila after the battle, and landed him on May 19th to start an auxiliary insurrection, which insurrection kept the Spaniards bottled up in Manila on the land side for three and a half months while Dewey did the same by sea, until ten thousand American troops arrived, and easily completed the reduction and capture of the beleaguered and famished city on August 13th, it is necessary to a clear understanding of the de facto alliance between the Americans and Aguinaldo thus created, to know who brought the Admiral and Aguinaldo together and how, and why.