10 December, 1898
TODAY IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
A new era for Filipinos dawned with the signing of the Treaty of Paris through which Spain ceded the Philippines, its colony for over 300 years, to the United States for US$ 20 million.
The Peace Commission consisting of American and Spanish delegates met in Paris from October to December that year to discuss the terms of the treaty. Much of their discussions focused on legal points and both sides maintained their respective hard-lined stand on the matter.
The Americans eventually prevailed, however, following Washington’s order to ensure Spain’s cession of the entire Philippines. Such cession placed the country under American control.
Aside from ceding the Philippines, the Treaty of Paris required Spain’s surrender of Puerto Rico and Guam to the U.S. The same treaty also required Spain to relinquish its rights to Cuba.
(Ref: Philippine News Agency; Photo from filipinoamericanwar.com/treatyofparis.htm )
