The American soldiers were even said to be refusing to fight, and great prisons were being constructed in order properly to punish them.
General MacArthur and his entire staff were captured before March 2, 1900, according to a letter sent to General Moxica of Leyte on that date.

[418] And what of conditions in the United States during this troubled period?
We learn from the Insurgent records that prior to January 15, 1900, "the Union Army" had met with a new disaster, as a result of which President McKinley tendered his resignation, being succeeded by Mr.Bryan.Philippine independence was to be proclaimed on February 4, 1899.

On January 20, "General Otis's successor, John Waterly, of the democratic party," arrived at Manila with papers and instructions relative to proclaiming the Philippine Republic.

[419] Things now went from bad to worse.

The trouble between democrats and republicans resulted in an insurrection.