Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1899-12-13

ands, but to protect them In their
homes, employments and personal
religious rights.
On Aug. I it was directed that there
must be no Joint occupation with the
insurgents and that all must recog
nize the military occupation and au-
tbority Of the United States. On the
2lst OF January II was decided to dis
patch n commission to the Philip
pines and they were 30 dispatched,
but before their arrival at Manila the
sinister ambition of few Filipino
leaders had created situation full
of embarrassment for US and most
grievous in its consequences to them
selves. The insurrectionary move
ment Is set out In the report of the
commission. The claim OF the rebel
leader that he was promised inde-
pendence by an officer OF the United
States i'm return for his assistance has
no foundation In fact and has been
denied by the very witnesses called to
prove 1t. The most he chopped for was
the liberation of the islands from
Spanish control. The Philippine
commissioners found on their ar
rival at Manila that everything was
confusion, following the order Of the
insurgent leader for general mas
sacre OF the Eur0pe pean inhabitants OF
Manila on the night OF Feb. 4. which
declared that Filipino families alone
should be respected, but that all
other individuals, Of whatever race
they may be, shall be exterminated
without any compassion, after the
determination OF the army OF occu-
pancy. A copy OF this order fell into
our hands and the massacre was pre-
vented. No other alternative was
left but prosecution OF the war un-
til the insurgents were reduced to
submission.
The course thus clearly indicated
has been unflinchingly pursued. The
rebellion must be put down. Civil
government cannot be thoroughly
established until order is restored.
The work has been well and sue
cessfully done, and the work Of re-
construction has also not been neg.
lected. Especially is this true Of the
island OF Negros, which was the first
to accept American sovereignty.
On Aug. 10 Gen. Bates negotiated a
treaty with the sultan Of Sulu, in
which the sovereignty OF the United
States over the whole archipelago OF
Jolo and its dependencies is declared
and acknowledged. Piracy is to lie
suppressed and the salaries OF the
sultan and his associates have been
agreed upon. Slaves have the right
to purchase freedom by paying to the
master the usual market value. The
agreement is subject to future modi.
tications by consent Of the parties in
interest. This agreement Is not to be
deemed in any way to authorize or
give the consent OF the United States
, to the existence Of slavery in the Sulu
archipelago.
Everything indicates that with the
IppaaJy pupnroouinp ,f tba Ta,,,,I, mn
bellion life in the archipelago will
soo. assume it's ordinary course un-
der the protection Of our sovereignty
and the people Of those favored isl
ands will enjoy u prosperity and a
freedom which they have never be.
fore known. Already hundreds OF
schools are opened and filed with
children. Religious freedom ia sacred.
ly assured and enjoyed; the courts
are dispensing justice, business IL be.
ginning to circulate I'm it's accus.
toned channels. Manila, whose In.
|, habitants were fleeing to the country
few months ago, IL now n popu.
lous and thriving mart OF commerce
The future government Of the Phil.
ippines rests with the congress Of the
United States. The islands lie under
the shelter OF our flag.
They are ours by every title Of law
and equity. They cannot be aband-
oned. II we desert them, we leave
them at once to anarchy and finally
to barbarism. The suggestion Of in.
dependence and a protectorate will
not he found, / am sure, worthy OF
your serious attention. 1t would
place the loyal and peaceable major
ity ut the mercy OF the insurgents,
would make US responsible for the
acts OF the insurgent leaders and give
us no power to control them. We
would have the task OF protecting