The American Legacy him what US intentions were. Anderson replied: “We have lived as a nation 122 years, and have never owned or desired a colony. We consider ourselves a great nation as we are, and I leave you to draw your own inference.”11 Aguinaldo again believed this. Against the better judgment of Aguinaldo’s field commanders and the advice of Antonio Luna to immediately march their troops straight to the Spanish lines while they were gripped in terror, panic and disarray, Aguinaldo ordered a halt of the offensive. Meanwhile, US troops continued to pour in and take up strategic positions. Aguinaldo’s field generals watched with suspicion, anxiety and frustration as the US displayed American flags in the trenches they vacated. Aguinaldo ordered the further retreat of the revolutionary army so US troops could take position in the front line trenches. The missed opportunity to take Fort Intramuros at a critical moment enabled the Spanish forces to consolidate and strengthen their defenses. General Anderson assured the Spanish forces that they would be protected by the United States. On June 12, 1898, a Declaration of Independence and the establishment of the Philippine Republic was proclaimed in Cavite. Admiral Dewey and US generals who were officially invited as honored guests snubbed the event. From Hong Kong, Agoncillo, the head of the Philippine diplomatic corps, warned Aguinaldo about the intentions of the US towards the Philippines. He reported that at that moment, the US was already treacherously attacking the Cuban freedom fighters in their stronghold in Havana, their supposed allies. On June 27, 1898, Aguinaldo pressed Admiral Dewey to carry out a coordinated attack to take Manila. Dewey’s ships could bombard Intramuros while the Filipino soldiers could easily storm it into submission. Dewey stalled. On that same day, Dewey sent a cable to the Secretary of Defense reporting: Consistently I have refrained from assisting him [Aguinaldo] in any way with the force under my command, and on several occasions I have declined requests that I should do so, telling him the squadron could not act until the arrival of the United States troops. At the same time I have given him to understand that I consider insurgents as friends, being opposed to a common enemy...My 57