<div class="image-550">
<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-25/basilio-augustín.avif" alt="Basilio Augustín" loading="lazy" />
<div>
(Governor General Basilio Augustín y Dávila)
</div>
</div>

<h3>
Spanish-American War and Philippine Revolution (April-May 1898)
</h3>

<p>
Augustín arrived in Manila just weeks before the outbreak of war between Spain and the United States.  On April 25, 1898 Spain and the U.S. formally declared war, even as Spanish forces remained only on alert in the Philippines.  Two days after the U.S. Congress authorized war on Cuba, Commodore George Dewey's Asiatic Squadron steamed into Manila Bay.  The resulting <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1440/may-1-1898-the-naval-battle-between-the-united-states-and-spain-took-place-in-manila-bay" class="news_link">Battle of Manila Bay</a> on May 1, 1898 was a crushing defeat for Spain: the aging Spanish fleet under Admiral Montojo was annihilated.  This loss instantly nullified Spanish naval power in the archipelago.  Augustín reported by telegram that Spanish ships like <i>Reina Cristina</i> were burning, with heavy casualties.
</p>
<p>
Almost simultaneously, the Filipino revolutionary leader <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1028/today-in-philippine-history-march-22-1869-emilio-aguinaldo-was-born-in-kawit-cavite" class="news_link">Emilio Aguinaldo</a> - exiled in Hong Kong since 1897 - returned to Cavite on May 19, 1898.  By June 12, <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1177/today-in-philippine-history-june-12-1898-aguinaldo-formally-proclaimed-the-philippine-independence-in-kawit-cavite" class="news_link">Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence from Spain</a>.  Spanish rule was collapsing.  Augustín proclaimed the war <i>"short"</i> and predicted a <i>"decisive"</i> Spanish victory, but events proved otherwise.
</p>
<h3>
Defense Measures and Early Propaganda
</h3>
<p>
As Governor-General, Augustín's first act was to rally support. On April 22, upon hearing that Spain and the U.S. had broken off relations, <i>he exhorted all Filipinos to defend Spanish sovereignty</i> and ordered defensive preparations on land and sea.  Coastal batteries were emplaced on Corregidor and other forts, though these were quickly neutralized or bypassed by the Americans.  Augustín also issued patriotic proclamations to the populace.  In one widely noted proclamation he addressed Filipinos as <i>"Spaniards"</i> - reminding them of their long struggle for Spanish civil rights - and warned of American "barbarism" (Protestant proselytism, property seizure, mistreatment of women) as a call to resist.  To many Filipino observers, however, this seemed out of touch with years of nationalist agitation.
</p>
<p>
Despite the bravado, the security situation worsened rapidly. With the U.S. fleet sweeping Manila Bay and revolutionaries taking to the field, Spanish forces in Luzon were soon besieged in and around Intramuros, the walled district of Manila.  By late May Spanish field troops faced defeat and many were captured.  Historian Guillermo Jerez later wrote that Augustín was <i>"lacking in foresight and initiative and the capacity to command"</i>, allowing insurgents to overrun Spanish positions.  In short, Augustín's early tenure saw desperate preparations undercut by overwhelming enemy pressure.
</p>



Governor General Basilio Augustín: Spain's Final Stand in the Philippines