The Spanish cause is doomed, but Fermin…

The Spanish cause is doomed, but Fermin Jaudenes, Spain's last governor in the islands, has to devise a way to salvage the honor of his country.

Negotiations are carried out through British and Belgian diplomatic intermediaries.

A secret agreement is made between the governor and United States military commanders in early August 1898 concerning the capture of Manila.

In their assault, American forces will neither bombard the city nor allow the insurgents to take part (the Spanish fear that the Filipinos are plotting to massacre them all).

The Spanish, in turn, will put up only a show of resistance and, on a prearranged signal, will surrender.

In this way, the governor will be spared the ignominy of giving up without a fight, and both sides will be spared casualties.

The mock battle is staged on August 13.

The attackers rush in, and by afternoon the United States flag is flying over Intramuros, the ancient walled city that had been the seat of Spanish power for over three hundred years.