Past-President Tink Hill provided us with an interesting talk on the Philippines insurrection (1899-1913), which took place after Spanish American War. The US wanted the Philippines for 3 reasons: (1) to get a piece of Chinese trade; (2) as a fueling station in area; and (3) to get control of natural resources - timber and hemp for rope. Spain had the Philippines for 400 years. When the US went to war with Spain, it asked for help from the Filipinos against Spain and said that then the Philippines would be independent. However, the US decided to hold onto the Philippines to "civilize and educate" the people; part of an expansionist doctrine. The Filipinos started fighting the US after they were not let in Manila when the US took it from Spain. The US soldiers destroyed towns and killed civilians. Tink showed us political cartoons from the time period and pictures of the war and read letters from soldiers who there. This was an unfortunate episode in US history that not many people know about (the history textbooks do not give it much discussion). However, our history is important and we need to know about all of it, even the uncomfortable parts. Thanks to Tink for this interesting presentation.