The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-12-06

IN this manner the Philippines came TO the
United States, The islands were ceded by the
government Of Spain, which had been In un-
disputed possession Of them for centuries
they were accepted not merely by our author
zed commissioners In Paris, under the dlrec- |
lion Of the executive, but by the constitutional
and well-considered aetion Of the representa-
lives OF the people OF the United States in both
believe, and ! still believe. that this transfer
Of sovereignty was In accordance with the
the aspirations Of the great mass
OF the Filipino people.
From the earliest moment no opportunity
was lost OF assuring the people OF the islands
OF our ardent desire for their welfare and OF
the intention OF this government to do every
thing possible 70 advance their interests In
my order Of May 10, 1893, the commander OF
the military expedition dispatched TO the
philippines was instructed to declare that we
came not TO make war upon the people OF that
country, nor upon any party or faction among
them, but to protect them In their homes, In
their employments, and in their personal and
religious rights" That there should be no
doubt as to the paramount authority there, on
the l7th Of March It was directed that there
must be no joint occupation with the insur-
gents" that the United States must preserve
the peace and protect persons and property
within the territory occupied by their military
and naval forces; that the insurgents and all
others must recognize the military occupation
and authority OF the United States. As carly
y
ticipation Of that event, the commander In
Manila was urged to restore peace and tram
guilty and TO undertake the establishment OF
u benetcent government which should afford
the fullest security for life and property.
On the 2ist Of December, after the treaty
was signed. the commander OF the forces OF
occupation was instructed ITO announce and
proclaim In the most public manner that we
come, not as invaders and conquerors, but as
friends TO protect the natives In their homes,
In their employments, and In their personal
and religious rights" On the same day, while
ordering General Otis TO see that peace should
be preserved In Iloilo, he was admonished that:
ut Is most important that there should be no
conflict with the insurgents" On January /,
1899, urgent orders were reiterated that the
kindly Intentions OF this government should be
In every possible way communicated TO the
insurgents
dlspatching TO Manila q commission composed
Of three gentlemen Of the highest character
and distinction, thoroughly acquainted with
the Orient. who, In association with Admiral
Dewey and Maj Gen Otis were instructed TO
" facilitate the most humane and effective ex-
tension OF authority throughout the islands,
and TO secure with the least possible delay the
benefits OF u wise and generous protection OF
life and property to the inhabitants" These
gentlemen were DR.. Jacob Schurman, presi-
dent Of Cornell university; Hon. Charles Dem
by, for many years minister to China, and
Prof. Dean O. Worcester, of the University OF
Michigan, who had made a careful study Of
life In the Philippines. While the treaty OF
peace was under Consideration in the senate
these commissioners set out on their mission
OF good will and liberation.
But before their arrival at Manila the sinis-
ter ambition Of few leaders OF the Filipinos
had created situation full OF embarrassment
for US and most grievous in its consequences
10 themselves The clear and impartial pre-
Mmtnary report OF the commissioners, which
transmit herewith, gives so comprehensive
history OF the present insurrectionary move
ment that the story need not be here repeated
II is enough TO say that the claim Of the rebel
lender that he was promised independence by
Independence by any oficer OF the United
States In return for his assistance has no foun-
dation in fact and Is denied by the very wit
nesses who were called TO prove II. The most
the insurgent leader hoped for when he came
back 70 Manila was the liberation OF the Islands
from the Spanish control, which they had been
labortng for years without success TO throw on.
The prompt accomplishment Of this work by
the American army and navy gave him Of her
ideas and ambitions, and insidious suggestions
from various quarters perverted the purposes
and intentions with which he had taken VI
arms No sooner had our army captured Ma
Mia than the Filipino forces began TO assume
an attitude Of suspicion and hostility which the
utmost efforts OF our officers and troops were
unable to disarm or modify. Their kindness
and forbearance were taken as proof OF COW
ardice. The aggressions Of the Filipinos con
tinually increased until finally, just before thu
| time set by the senate Of the United States fo
| vote upon the treaty, an attack, evidently
| prepared In advance. was made all along thu
American lines. which resulted In terribl!
| destructive and sanguinary repulse OF the In
surgents.
Ten days later an order Of the insurgent gov
| ernment was issued TO It's adherents who hai
remained In Manila, Of which Gen. Otis justly
| observes that ' for barbarous intent II Is un
equalled in modern times" 1t directs that a
8 O'Clock on the night Of the 18th Of Februar.
| the territorial militia" shall come togethe
| In the streets OF San Pedro, armed with bolos
with guns and ammunition where convenient
| that Filipino families only shall be respected
| but that all other individuals. Of whatever rae
| they may be, shall be exterminated withou
any compassion, after the determination OF tn
| army OF occupation, and adds: Brothers
we must avenge ourselves on the American
| and exterminate them, that we may take on
revenge for the infamies and treacherie
which they have committed upon us. HaV
no compassion on them: attack with vigor. "
copy Of this fell into the hands OF ou
| officers and they were able to take measure
| 10 control the rising, which was actually at
| tempted on the night OF February g, weel
later than was originally contemplated Con
| siderable numbers OF armed insurgents enteret
the city and in concert with confederates in
/ side attempted to destroy Manila by fire
| They were kept In check during the night AM
the next day driven out OF the city with heav.
/ loss.
This was the unhappy condition Of affair
/ which confronted our commissioners on thei
| arrival in Manila. They had come with tn
hope and intention OF cooperating with Ad
| miral Dewey and Mai. Gen. Otis in establish
/ ing peace and order in the archipelago and tn
| largest measure OF self-government compati
BILE with the true welfare OF the people VIVA
| they actually found can best be set forth Il
/ their own words:
"Deplorable as war Is. the one in which W
are now engaged was unavoidable by US w
N..Nl
| thuslastic army. No alternative was left to u
| except ignomlnous retreat.
| "Iti not to be conceived OF that any Ameri
can would have sanctioned the surrender O
Manila TO the insurgents, Our obligations
other nations and to the friendly FilipinOs an
rto ourselves and our flag demanded that fore
should be met by force. Whatever the futur
OF the Philippines may be, there is no cours
open TO us now except the prosecution OF tn
war until the insurgents are reduced to sub
mission. The commission Is of the opinio
that there has been no time since the destruC
tion OF the Spanish squadron by Admir-
Dewey when was possible to withdraw ou
forces from the Islands either with honor I
ourselves or with safety to the inhabitants"
The course thus clearly indicated has bee
unfiinchingly pursued The rebellion must
put down. Civil government cannot be thof
oughly established until order is restore'
With devotion and gallantry worthy of II
moat brilliant history, the army, ably assiste
by the navy has carried on this unwelcOme bI
most righteous campaign with richly deserve
success. The noble self-sacribce with whic
our soldiers and sailors whose terms OF serviC
had expired refused TO avail themselves
their right TO return home as long as they wei
needed at the front forms one OF the brighte
pages In our annals. Although their operi
tons have been somewhat interrupted an
checked by q rainy season OF unusual Violent
and duration they have gained ground steadi
in every direction, and now look forward conf
IDENTIFY to speedy completion Of their task.
The unfayorable circumstances connectt
with an active campaign have not been pc
mitted 70 interfere with the equally importal
work OF reconstruction. Again invite yol
attention TO the report Of the commissioner
for the encouraging details Of the work q
ready ACCOMPLISHED In the establishment
peace and order and the Inauguration Of sci
governing municipal life in many portions
the archipelago. A notable beginning has bee
made in the establishment Of a government
the island Of Negros which is deserving Of spl
cial consideration. This was the first islan