The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-12-08
Pensions Of Widows.
THE Philippine ISLANDS.
President Revie WA Their Acquisition sas
..r Subsequent Difficulties.

= xt0Vso WV AAOss S"N
.r Subsequent Difficulties.
On the 10th Of December, 1898, the
treaty Of peace between the United States
and Spain was signed. 1t provided among
other things, that spain should cede to
the United States the archipelago known
as the Philippine islands, that the United
States should pay to Spain the sum of
SO, OOO, 900, and that the civil rights and
population of the native Inhabitants of
the territories thus ceded to the United
States should be determined by the con-
gress. The treaty was ratified by the SEN
ate on the 9th Of February, 1899, and by
the government Of Spain on the 10th of
March following. The notifications were
exchanged on the 18th OF April and the
treaty publicly proclaimed. On the I'd Of
March, the congress voted the sum con-
templated by the treaty, and the amount
was paid over to the Spanish government
on the 1st Of May.
Not Invaders or Conquorors.
On the 2lst Of December after the treaty
was signed the commander Of the forces
of occupation was instructed ito an
nounce and proclaim in the most public
manner that we come not as invaders and
c%onquerors but as friends to protect the
natives in their homes, In their employ
ments and in their personal and religious
rights" On the same day while order
ing Gen. Otis to sec that the peace should
be preserved in Iloio he was admonished
that: 1T Ia most important that there
should be no conflict with the insur-
gents" On the lst day Of Jaduary, 1899,
urgent orders were reiterated that the
kindly instructions Of this government
should in every possible way be com
municated to the insurgents.
On the 2lst of January l announced my
intention Of dispatching to Manila u com.
mission composed of three gentlemen OF
the highest character and distinction,
thoroughly acquainted with the Orient,
who, In association with Admiral Dewey
and Major General Otis, were instructed
to facilitate the most humane and etfec.
tive extension Of authority throughout
the islands and to secure with the least
possible delay, the benefits Of n wise and
generous protection of life and property
to the inhabitants"
Ambition Created a situation.
The character OF the gentlemen colnpos,
ing this commission was sufficient guar.
anty Of the beneacent purpose for which
they were sent, ever If they had not borne
the positive instructions OF this govern.
ment which made their errand pre-.
eminently one Of peace and friendship,
But before their arrival ut Manila the
sinister ambition Of II few leaders of the
Philippines had created u situati, IN full OF
embarrassments for us and most grievous
in its consequences to themselves. The
clear and impartial preliminary report OF
the commissioners, which ! transmit
herewith. gives so lucid and comprehen'
sivc II history OF the present insurrection
ary movement that the story need not
be here repeated. 1t Is enough IT, say
that the claim Of the reoel leader that he
was promised independence by any officer
of the United States In return for his as.
sistance, has no foundation In fact, and
is categorically denied by the very wit
nesses who We're called to prove 1t, The
most the insurgent lea Ter hoped for when
he came back to Manila was the liber
alton Of the islands from the Spanish
control, which they had been laboring fol
years without success to throw of,
The prompt accomplishment Of this
work by tho American army and navy
gave him other ideas and ambitions and
insldious suggestions from various quar-
tiers perverted the purposes and intentions
with which no had taken up arms. Nc