The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-11-02
An Anti-Imper;al View,

An Anti-Imperialistic View.
l have read with a good deal of in
terest the views of the Tribune with re-
gard to the Philippine trouble, but have
waited in vain for clear representa-
ton of the facts in the case, on the
basis of which alone reasonab PEG
r:e should be called upon to decide
Do you not think your readers have
right to ask you, as an independent
newspaper, for the facts, before those
t,t.o may feel called upon to differ from
y;ur conclusions, are condemned:
Let me present the facts:
1. The Filipinos have been trying to
gall their independence from Spain Tor
Iac1e than 100 years.
2. The battle of Manila was fought
May |, 1898, by which the Spanish fleet
was destroyed in the harbor of Manila
8. Previous to this time the Filipinos
had maintained a successful revolution
against the Spanish power.
4. On June 20, 1898, the constitution
of the Philippine republic was signed
by the presidents of the provinces, more
than 200 in number This was done
with the full knowledge and concur
renee of the government of the United
States. This constitution is the most
remarkable state document in the world
today. For the wisdom and business of
its provisions it stands alone. George
F. Hoar says: mot ten men in America
could write it,
5. Under this constitution the Fill
pinos formed a united republican gov
eminent, and this government was in
f-ill operation at the time the protocol
was s 81 ed.
6. At the time of the signing of the
protocol Spain was able to turn over to
cur government only 143 square miles
CT territory, with a population of 300,-
900. In addition Spain had nominal
control of 51,630 square miles of terri
tory scattered throughout the islands
with population of 100000, but was
not able to deliver the goods, the
PHILIPPINE government held under abso-
lutte control 167,S45 square miles of ter
ritory, with population of 1896 900,
and had SO shut up the Spanish garri-
sons in their stockades that the 81 $50
square miles above referred to can prac-
tically be added to their territory, MAX
ing 219,473 square miles, with popu-
lation of 9,70oOOO.
From May l. 1898, the American gov
eminent has been an associate in war"
with the Philippine government, ae-
cording to international law, and for
more than four months in and out of
the harbor of Manila, the American war
vessels saluted the flag of the Philip
pine government and were saluted in
return. This continued until the ad-
visors of our president had concluded
on course of Imperialism. This arti-
Gle only intends to state the facts and
the law, without the proof and the
citation, but read the following as
sample: In a communication to the
secretary of the navy, dated June Z,
1898, Admiral Dewey said: "At the
same time I had given him (Aguinaldo)
to understand that I considered the in
as friends, being opposed to
enemy. He has gone to attend
a meeting of the insurgent leaders, for
the purpose OF forming civil govern
ment. Aguinaldo has acted independ-
emily of the squadron, but has kept me
constantly advised of his progress
which has been wonderful l have al
lowed to pass by water recruits, arms
and ammunition, and allowed him to
take Spanish arms and ammunition as
he needed. Have advised frequently
to conduct war humanely, which he has !
done invariably"
s. Under the facts cited above Spain
could give no title to the Philippine
islands by cession; neither could the |
American government acquire any title
by conquest, unless by a violation of
international law settled by this GOV |
by course of precedents COM
with the controversy arising
after the war of the revolution, and
never denied, but always insisted upon |
up to and including the first year of
our present administration.
9. The right to acquire territory by
the American government, either by
or purchase, is not denied, as
that is right which inheres in the SOW
ereignty Of nation; but under the