::::Speaking to Iloilo Wanderer's mention of an American "effort to rule the Philippines", I don't think there was ever much official intention in that regard. First Philippine Commission's 2 November 1900 report said,  "... Only through American occupation, therefore, is the idea of a free, self-governing, and united Philippine commonwealth at all conceivable." (see  and elsewhere). The 1916 Philippine Autonomy Act contained a formal and official declaration of the United States Federal Government's commitment to grant independence to the Philippines.    (earlier Boracay Bill)