Aguinaldo had by this time found out that although he could defeat the scattered Spanish detachments, he could not defeat the Spanish force holding the lines of Manila.

He did not want the Americans in the Philippines.

They were in his way, and he had already made up his mind that if they did not give him what he wanted, he would drive them out by force.

He saw very early that it was extremely improbable that he should obtain from them what he wanted; accordingly all losses both among Spaniards and Americans would, from Aguinaldo's point of view, inure to his benefit.

The best possible thing for him would be to hold his own force intact while they wore each other out.