That he refrained from attacking the Americans and occasionally permitted them to be furnished supplies, for which they paid, was not cooperation.

The fact that for a time their plans and his plans were parallel does not mean cooperation.

Aguinaldo was forced by the exigencies of the situation, by the necessity of strengthening his hold upon the people, by the necessities of his operations against the Spaniards, to make Spaniards and natives alike believe that all that he did was with the aid of the Americans by whom he would be supported in all his acts.

He needed their support, and if he could not obtain that he needed the appearance of their support for the attainment of his ends; and this he was forced to purchase by compliance, or apparent compliance, with their demands.

But his compliance with them, as all American officers serving there well knew, was never willing, was never complete, and was never given except under pressure.