made an informal arrangement with
the Filipino general for the removal of the insurgents from the trenches
directly in front of the American forces, and immediately advanced
beyond their original position. The situation of Manila was indeed
desperate and clearly demanded a surrender to the American forces, who
might be relied upon to preserve order and protect property. The Belgian
Consul, M. Eduard Andre, urged this course upon the Spanish commander.
The Governor-General, Fermin Jaudenes, exhibited the same spirit
which the Spanish commanders revealed throughout the war: though
constitutionally indisposed to take any bold action, he nevertheless
considered it a point of honor not to recognize the inevitable. He
allowed it to be understood that he could not surrender except to an
assault, although well knowing that such a melee might cause the city to
be ravaged by the Filipinos. M. Andre, however, succeeded by the 11th
of August in arranging a verbal understanding that the fleet should fire
upon the city and that the troops should attack, but that the Spaniards
should make no real resistance and should surrender as soon as they
considered that their honor was saved.

The chief contestants being thus amicably agreed to a spectacular but
bloodless battle, the main interest lay in the future action of the
interested and powerful spectators in the harbor. Admiral Dewey, though
relieved by the arrival of the monitor Monterey on the 4th of August,
was by no means certain that the German squadron would stand by without
interference and see the city bombarded. On the 9th of August he gave
notice of the impending action and ordered foreign vessels out of the
range of fire. On the 13th of August Dewey steamed into position before
the city. As the American vessels steamed past the British Immortalite,
her guard paraded and her band played Admiral Dewey's favorite march.
Immediately afterwards the British commander, Captain Chichester, moved
his vessels toward the city and took a position between our fleet and
the German squadron. The foreign vessels made no interference, but the
Filipinos were more restless. Eagerly watching the American assault,
they rushed forward when they saw it successful, and began firing on the
Spaniards just as the latter hoisted the white flag. They were quieted,
though with difficulty, and by nightfall the city was under the Stars
and Stripes, with American troops occupying the outworks facing the
force