The revolted Filipinos, unlike the Cubans, had not declared themselves for independence but for redress of grievances.

The United States had assisted Aguinaldo, at the moment in exile, to return to the islands after the Battle of Manila Bay but had not officially recognized him as having authority.

When he saw Spanish power disappearing under American blows, he declared himself in favor of the abolition of all foreign rule.

This declaration, of course, in no way bound the United States, to whom the treaty with Spain, the only recognized sovereign, ceded the island absolutely.

There was no flaw in the title of the United States, and there were no obligations, save those of humanity, to bind the Americans in their treatment of the natives.