Capítulo 15: Lucky Break
August, 1900 - Paris, France
A few days before the American forces in the Philippines occupied Tarlac, the terms of the armistice between the U.S government and the Philippines, represented by Felipe Agoncillo, is about to be signed. Both sides want this agreement to come out as soon as possible so they could begin talks on the treaty that will finally grant the Philippines its independence.
For Agoncillo, the signing of this agreement signals one more step towards the freedom he and many other Filipinos wanted for their homeland. A realization of a dream.
The terms included the following:
- All fighting within Philippine territory shall cease at the signing of this agreement
- The United States and The Philippines shall designate representatives for the negotiation of a peace treaty
- Negotiations for the treaty shall start within a week after both parties have signed the ceasefire agreement.
- A status quo shall be in effect across The Philippine Islands unless a separate agreement has been signed by both parties.
This agreement shall be monitored by The British Empire, The French Republic, The Empire of Japan, The Kingdom of the Netherlands, and The Imperial State of Germany.
A few hours after the signing of the armistice, the formal talks on the peace treaty begun. The conference required that the Philippine side send additional representatives, but they decided to start the initial talks as the situation in the islands meant that it may take some time before the leaders of the Philippines can send proper representatives to the talks.
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Back in Nueva Ecija, a day after the signing of the armistice, after learning of the fall of San Fabian and the retreat of Tinio and Alejandrino, Aguinaldo and his men immediately fled east to Pantabangan.
With his escape route in Pangasinan in enemy hands, his only choice is to flee to Isabela where the generals there already have a well established network of camps in the mountains to slow down or stop any invaders.
Cagayan is also as well defended as Isabela preventing the Americans failed to push out of the immediate area around Aparri. This made the two regions a good place for Aguinaldo and his men to hide out.
Even after entering Isabela, Aguinaldo didn't stop until he arrived in the town of Cauayan. There he planned to rest for a few days before he headed to Palanan where he could direct the revolution from. He had been assured by General Llanera that the Americans would have a hard time traversing Isabela should they attempt to.
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Meanwhile in Ilocos, the Americans managed to force Tinio and the others to retreat north. Their advance from Manila using the railroad path made the revolutionaries realize that it's impossible to delay the Americans any further.
The two Filipino generals raced towards Ilocos with Tinio staying in Candon to finalize the organization of a huge network of supporters involving almost the entire population to warn the revolutionaries of approaching Americans and aid them in several ambushes. He was getting ready to make the entirety of Ilocos Sur almost impossible to occupy.
Alejandrino meanwhile went to Paoay to coordinate with Colonel Valentin Diaz for the defense of Ilocos Norte. Although the defenses in the area were already setup many months earlier, they made plans on how they would defend the region if Ilocos Sur falls while making sure Tinio and the others make it safely behind the front lines.
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While the Filipinos were getting ready for many more months of fighting, the Americans received an order from Washington D.C to stand down. All fighting within the islands should cease immediately.
Representatives from the French Republic, who were sent to Manila in relation to the peace treaty, asked the Americans for any Filipino that couldr elay the peace protocol to all Filipino leaders in the islands.
If Aguinaldo is still alive, they should tell him to send representatives to Manila where the French can assist in bringing the appointed representatives to Paris. If not, they could pick someone from those already in Intramuros to appoint representatives.
Fortunately, the Americans reported that Aguinaldo is still on the run and last seen heading to San Jose, Nueva Ecija. Pio Del Pilar, and Mariano Noriel volunteered themselves as the ones to inform Aguinaldo of the peace protocol and the possible end to the fighting.
After days of travel, the two former generals arrived in Cabanatuan where they are met by General Henry Lawton. The Americans have new information that Aguinaldo fled to Isabela although they haven't been able to track the Filipino leader after the order to stand down came down.
As a form of courtesy, the two thanked the American general and rode off towards the town of Pantabangan where they are met by men under Mariano Trias. They told the men the news about the cessation of hostilities and asked for the location of Aguinaldo.
The clearly delighted men escorted the Del Pilar, and Noriel to Cauayan where they told Aguinaldo the good news, which was received by the Filipino leader with elation. The sacrifices of thousands of Filipinos who died since the start of the revolution was not in vain. After many years of war, freedom is now within reach.
Aguinaldo asked Apolinario Mabini to one of the negotiators for the treaty alongside some members of his cabinet including Mariano Trias, and Gregorio Araneta. He also got ready to head back to Intramuros and meet with the French representatives to personally offer them his gratitude for assisting with the peace efforts, this also seen as a political move to let the Europeans see that the Filipinos also seek peace through diplomacy.
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After the chosen representatives left Manila for Paris, Aguinaldo met with General Otis, and General Meritt to discuss about the areas occupied by American forces.
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