Diego de los Ríos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Most Excellent
Diego de los Ríos
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| 116th Governor-General of the Philippines | |
| In office September 1898 – December 10, 1898 |
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| Monarch | Alfonso XIII of Spain |
| Preceded by | Francisco Rizzo |
| Succeeded by | Elwell Stephen Otis as Military Governor of the Philippines |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 9, 1850 Guadalajara, Province of Guadalajara Spain |
| Died | November 4, 1911 (aged 61) Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain |
| Spouse | Matilde Sáenz de Santa María y Torres |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Spain |
| Branch/service |  Spanish Army |
| Years of service | 1860–1911 |
| Rank |  Teniente general |
| Battles/wars | Glorious Revolution Third Carlist War Ten Years' War Spanish-American War |
Diego de los Ríos y Nicolau (born April 9, 1850 – died November 4, 1911) was a Spanish Lieutenant General. He is famous for being the very last Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines. This happened during the Spanish-American War. He also fought in other important wars like the Glorious Revolution, the Third Carlist War, and the Ten Years' War.
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Becoming a Military Leader
Diego de los Ríos was born on April 9, 1850. His father was also a Lieutenant General named Diego de los Ríos the Elder. Because of his father's service in the Hispano-Moroccan War, Diego was given a special title. In 1860, he became an "Underage ensign of the Cavalry."
That same year, he focused on learning infantry combat. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1865.
Early Battles and Promotions
In 1868, Diego took part in the Glorious Revolution. He fought well and was promoted to Captain for his bravery. For the next three years, he served in Puerto Rico.
When he returned to Spain, he joined the Third Carlist War. He was seriously hurt during the Battle of Castellfullit in July 1874. Even with his injury, he was promoted to Commander. After getting better, he continued fighting the Carlist forces. He took part in battles like Sierra de Puyarruego and Ermita de la Trinidad de Lumbier.
Serving in Cuba and Back in Spain
In 1876, Diego was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He then had to serve in the Ten Years' War in Cuba. There, he led several important operations and commanded different groups of soldiers.
After the war ended with the Pact of Zanjón, he went back to Spain. He married Matilde Sáenz Santa María. He held many different jobs in Spain. In 1886, he became an aide to King Alfonso XII. He also commanded the Ciudad Rodrigo Battalion in Madrid.
He helped stop an uprising by some army groups on September 19. For his service, he was suggested for a high honor, the Commander of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.
Becoming a Brigadier General
In 1895, Diego was promoted to Brigadier General. He was then sent to the Philippines. He served under General Ramón Blanco. General Blanco made him the commander of the First Brigade of the Mindanao Division.
Last Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines
In September 1898, Diego de los Ríos became the Governor-General of the Philippines. This happened during the Spanish–American War. The United States of America had already taken control of Manila after the 1898 Battle of Manila.
At this time, the capital of the Spanish Philippines was in Iloilo. Even though the fighting with the Americans was over, Spanish leaders still fought against the forces of the Philippine Revolution. These Filipino forces wanted control of the country outside of Manila.
Efforts in Iloilo
Diego de los Ríos wanted to protect the Visayas and Mindanao regions from the Filipino revolutionary forces. He asked Spain to allow some changes that people in Iloilo wanted. He announced in Iloilo that people should create a "Council of Reforms." This council would have 24 important citizens. Half would be chosen by public vote, and the other half would be picked by the governor-general.
However, these changes only satisfied a few leaders. The Philippine revolution in Iloilo grew stronger. On October 28, 1898, a big uprising against Spanish rule began on Panay island, especially in Iloilo. From that day on, many towns in Iloilo province were freed from Spanish control.
By early November, only Jaro, Molo, and Iloilo City were still held by the Spanish. On November 21, Jaro was given to the Filipino revolutionary forces.
End of Spanish Rule
Diego de los Ríos's time as Governor-General officially ended on December 10, 1898. This was when the Treaty of Paris was signed. This treaty transferred control of the Philippines from Spain to the United States. However, the Philippine Revolution continued. It soon turned into the Philippine–American War in early 1899.
The Spanish army in Iloilo and Molo was surrounded by Filipino revolutionary troops. They were about to face a big attack. So, the Spanish government, led by De los Ríos, started talking with the Filipino forces. They agreed that Spanish troops would leave Molo and Iloilo City. They surrendered to the Filipino forces led by General Martin Delgado. This happened at Plaza Alfonso XII (now Plaza Libertad) on December 23, 1898. This meant Iloilo City was the last capital of the Spanish Empire in Asia and the Pacific.
Diego de los Ríos left Iloilo. He moved temporarily to Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza in Zamboanga. He took the remaining Spanish forces from the Visayas with him. This was just before the Spanish forces in Visayas surrendered to the Filipino revolutionaries on December 24, 1898. After moving to Zamboanga, his last stronghold, he eventually surrendered to the authorities there.
In Zamboanga and Manila
When the Governor-General arrived at Fort Pilar on December 24, 1898, he quickly prepared to defend against the Filipino revolutionaries. He brought in Spanish forces from Cotabato and Lanao. He gathered all of them at Fort Pilar. General Jaramillo, who was the Governor-General of Mindanao Island, gave his command to General Montero. General Montero was the former governor of Cebu. General Jaramillo then left for Manila with General Rios in December 1898.
General Diego de los Rios brought his troops to Manila in January 1899. This was before the troops left for Spain. The general stayed in Manila until June 3, 1899. He tried to get Spanish prisoners released from the Filipino rebels. General Nicola Jaramillo then took over these discussions.
Later Life and Career
After returning to Spain, Diego de los Ríos continued his military career. In 1902, he was appointed military governor of Seville. He was promoted to Lieutenant General in 1907.
He held many important civil and military positions. He was a counselor for the Supreme War and Navy Council. He also served as Captain-General of Andalusia. He became the chief of the Army Staff. He was a senator for the Province of Cáceres. In 1909, he became Captain-General of the First Military Region. He commanded this region until he passed away.
See also
In Spanish: Diego de los Ríos para niños
