The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-10-12

recitlng the several propositions sub
mitted to the Spaniards for the cesson
OF the Philippines. and the final oner,
for the sake OF securing an immediate
peace to pay an indemnity Of 500 O.OOO.-
900, Judge Day says:
ION the esth OF November the Spanish
commissioners accepted the terms OF
fered by the American commissioners.
Ii was not claimed that the United
States had a right to the philippines
as a matter OF conquest. The United
States has never undertaken, so far
as know, 20 wrest lands or possess
ions simply by right OF conquest Had
we been disposed to do So IT must be
remembered that we are In possession
only Of the city, bay and harbor OF
Manila, under the protocol OF August
-, 1898. providing United States should
occupy and hold the same pending the
conclusion OF treaty OF peace which
should determine the control disposi-
tion and government OF the Philippines.
The capture after the signing OF the
protocol, by General Merritt and his
forces, whatever it's legal effect may
have been. included no more territory
than we were entitled TO hold under
accomplishing Immediate peace. which
hardly need say, was OF great import
ance. there was a strong desire TO treat
Spain with a degree OF magnanim1y.
consistent with our national honor and
prestige. following our national prece-
dent in the treatment or Mexico for the
cession OF territory to us at the close
of the Mexican war, by the cession,
for a consideration, we obtained an In
disputable title which must be res
pested by all other nations 1t must be
remembered too. that American COM
missioners and consistently refused to
assume any OF the outstanding debts
or obligations which Spain had under
taken to fasten upon the Philippines
Notwithstanding our offer 10 pay for
pacific improvements. Spain had not
undertaken to substantiate any claim
upon that ground.
"Of course. ! speak only for myself.
and / write these views without 0ppOr-
tuniry to consult with my fellow com
missioners.
I'm my judgment. the concession re-
ferred to was eftectual In bringing
about an acceptance of cur proposals,
which resulted in the making OF the
treaty.
In this conclusion. l cordially agree
with the following remarks OF Senator
Gray, one OF the commissioners, made
at the Ohio society dinner. Feb. 25th,
1899.
When after four or five weeks OF
doubt and anxiety II became appar-
ent that these negotiations must eth
er be broken OFF and your commission
ers return without a treaty at all, and
than We would be relegated to the nee
essity OF taking not only the Philip
pines, but Cuba and Porto Rico. by the !
ruthless hand OF conquest or by some
thaK comported with the
magnanimity and greatness anc char. |
acter OF this country gain them ny
uhe voluntary cession OF a treaty OF |
peace And therefore, we believed |
that IL was better for this country. |
strong In the hour OF victories. great I
in the hour OF its triumphs. mat il
should, 10 a beaten and PROSTATE foe, 4
exhibit that magnanimity OF which l |
spoke and take from them by volun-
tary cession and by purchase, so 70
speak. those distant Islands, rather
than expose ourselves in the eyes OF
the world as playing a role OF hsrbarlc \
conquest, and by military power tread |
the path OF medieval rapine and wsI-
fare"
The advanced position which the Un-
tied states has always maintained IN
its International relations 10 opposi-
tion 70 anything like harsh or severe
treatment OF a fallen foe as well as
other cosent reasons. would seem 70
Justify the payment CT the twenty
millions as an act dictated from a highi
sense Of national honor as well az sound
policy under ehe circumstances OF the
eass.