THE START FOR THE PHILIPPINES 267 Philippines. These islands had for a long time been the scene of insurrectionary movements against Spain, and the United States Pacific squadron, under Commodore Dewey, had been concentrated at Hong Kong before the war, with orders to proceed to Manila, destroy the Spanish Pacific fleet, and co-operate with the rebels as soon as war was declared.

Manila lead to any Spanish force being diverted in that direction during the decisive period of the struggle. On the other hand, however opposedmany of the leadingmenin the United States might be tomaking a war undertakenfor the liberation of Cuba the occasion of a campaign of conquest in Eastern seas, there was little doubt that once the Stars and Stripes were hoisted in the Philippines they would not be hauled down again. Thus the order that told Commodore Dewey to set out for Manila did more than set a squadron in motion. It launched the United States on a new policy of imperial rule.

It was a momentous resolution, which had more of a political than a military bearing on the results of the war. For the small force which Spain already had in the Philippines was helpless to influence the general results of the conflict, nor did the American attack on ENTRANCE TO A TOBACCO PLANTATION NEAR SANTIAGO