Capítulo 20: World War 1 - (1)
By the end of the decade, the Philippines have managed to purchase two ships from Britain after signing some agreements which gave the British a head start against it's European rivals in gaining influence in the fledgling nation.
The reason for choosing the British is for both strategic, and political reasons.
As the world's strongest military and naval power, being friendly and even allied with Britain offers a sort protection. The British on the other hand, along with the French, wants to maintain the present state-of-affairs in the region to so they will want to make sure the Philippines doesn't go to any of their European rivals.
The ships the country purchased are two torpedo boat destroyers, the former HMS Melampus, and HMS Tribune along with the armaments currently installed on both ships. The package also contained ammunition, and knowledge transfer on how to maintain and operate the vessels.
It was criticized however as some felt that the purchase was heavily in favor of the British because the country only received two old ships that were scheduled to be scrapped. But since the country doesn't have the resources to either buy, or build new ships it's the best they can get at the moment.
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June 1914, the country is celebrating it's independence day by having a military parade around Manila, and Intramuros with a route that leads to Bagumbayan, the place where Jose Rizal was executed.
Here the public got to see the newest rifles, designed and developed locally, in action as the soldiers fired gun salutes to commemorate the country's freedom. The people also got to see the cannons, and Gatling guns the government purchased from the Americans.
After the army's gun salute, the organizers of the event asked the crowd to look towards the sea where three ships are sitting. One steamship, the FIlipinas, and two torpedo boat destroyers.
All three ships then fired their guns one at a time towards the sea.
Afterwards Emilio Aguinaldo, who at this point had already stepped down from his post as president, gave a speech reminding the crowd that the country's freedom was attained through the sweat, blood, and tears of those who sacrificed their personal safety, and lives.
He added that the Filipinos of today and tomorrow should strive to protect this hard earned liberty no matter the cost as only Filipinos have the right to govern over the archipelago.
He ended by saying that the government, as duly appointed by the people, will strive to further enhance its capabilities to defend the nation from future aggressors so that the people will never again live as second-class citizens in their own land.
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June-July, 1914
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary got assassinated in Sarajevo which heightened the tension in Europe as Austria-Hungary accused Serbia of aiding the assassination. They sent an ultimatum to Serbia, most of which were accepted by the latter.
Unsatisfied with the response as they wanted all to be accepted, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
This declaration started a series of events that pitted the Triple Entente (Britain, France, and Russia) against the Central powers (Germany, and Austria-Hungary. Italy didn't join as their side initiated the war as opposed to the terms of their alliance).
Days after the outbreak of war, the Philippine government secretly prepared for an invasion of Palau in order to take it from the Germans by force as prior negotiations to buy it back failed. They ordered their only warships and a couple of government owned merchant ships to dock in Davao in anticipation of a German attack on Manila Bay.
As the ships are en route to Davao, the government sent an official notice to Britain that it wishes to support the British in it's war against the Germans. It then circulated, and announced propaganda pieces to the people that Germany continues to pose a threat to the country, and their continued abuse towards the people of Palau must be stopped.
Days after the announcement the Philippine government officially declared war on Germany, coincidentally at the same time as Japan's declaration of war against the same.
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After learning of Japan, and The Philippine's entry into the war on the side of the Entente, Vice Admiral von Spee directed his squadron, known as the East Asia Squadron, to head east toward German-friendly countries in South America.
He knows he is outnumbered and outgunned due to the warships of Japan and Australia, which he believes to be superior than his own.
Before leaving the area however, he allowed the SMS Emden remain in the area to commence raiding campaigns in the South China Sea, and Indian Ocean. It's first target, the undefended City of Manila.
The attack on Manila is aimed to be a psychological attack to make the Filipinos rethink their entry to the war. As The Philippines didn't have any means to defend itself from naval bombardment, they hoped this attack will make the Filipinos realize the obvious difference in strength.
The SMS Emden slipped into Manila Bay during the early hours and shelled Intramuros, damaging multiple buildings and killing a number of civilians. Although the cannons on top of the walls tried to fire back, they are still outgunned as they are severely outdated with almost all dating back to the 1850s.
The German ship tried to fire another salvo towards the cannons, but all missed and hit the thick walls dealing minor to moderate damage. It then sailed towards the mouth of the bay unchallenged while being as close to the shore as possible, shelling the towns within range.
The attack on Manila gave away the ship's position to the allies who then dispatched multiple ships to scour the South China Sea up to the Strait of Malacca. The British and French ordered all their ports in the area to be on high alert as they feared that the German cruiser will conduct multiple raids in the area.
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