Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-12-13
POLICY IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Believes the Mass of Fiiipinos Are with
the United States.

Believes the Mass OF rhipinos Aro Win
the United States.
The Philippine islands and our policy
therein are treated of as follows:
ION the 10th OF December, 1890. tnS
treaty Of peace between the United
States and Spain was signed. 1t pro-
yided among other things that Spain
should cede to the United states
the archipelago known as tne
Philippine islands, that the uniteo
States should pay to Spain the sum Oh
$2O, 1000, 900. and that the civil rights and
political status of the native inhabi-
tants of the territories thus ceded TO
the United States should be determined
by the congress. $50 In this manner
the Philippines came to the united
States The islands were ceoea 1y ann
government of Spain. which had peen
in undisputed possession OF them Tor
centuries They were accepted NOT
merely by our authorized commission
ers in Paris under the direction or the
executive. but by the constitutional and
we'll considered action of the representa-
tiyes of the people of the United States
in both houses Of congress. had every
reason to believe, and / still believe.
that this transfer Of sovereignty was In
accordance with the wishes and the as
pirations of the great mass OF the FIJI
ipino people.
"From the earliest moment no oppor-
tunity was lost Of assuring the peo-
pie OF the islands OF our ardent desire
for their welfare and Of the intention
of this government to do everything
possible to advance their Interests. In
my order of the 10th Of May. 1898, the
commander of the military expedition
DISPATCHED to the Philippines was in
structed 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
a. LII in avnnINvnenfC
in their personal and religious rights
That there should be no doubt as to the
paramount authority there. on the 18th
OF August II was directed that There
must be no Joint occupation with the
insurgents:' that the United States
must preserve the peace and protect
persons and property within the terri
tory 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 early as Dec. 4. before the
cession. and in anticipation OF that
event. the commander in Manila was
urged to restore peace and tranquility
| and to undertake the establishment OF
q benefcent government. which should
afford the fullest security for life and
son the 21st Of December, after the
| treaty was signed, the commander Of
| the forces of occupation was instructed
| to announce and proclaim In the most
public manner that We come not as in
| vaders and conquerors. but as friends
| to protect the natives in their homes,
in their employments. and in their per-
| sonal and religious rights On the same
day. Will bordering General Otis OF see
| that the peace should be preserved In
Iloilo, he was admonished that 1T 10
most important that there should be no
conflict with the insurgents On the
| first day of January. 1899. urgent orr
ders were reiterated that the kindly in
tentions of this government should be
| in every possible way communicated to
the insurgents.
my intention Of dispatching to Manila
a commission composed of three gentle
| men Of the highest character and dis
| tinction. thoroughly acquainted with
/ the Orient, who, in association with Ad-
miral Dewey and Major General Otis,
were instructed to facilitate the most
/ humane and effective extension Of au-
| thority throughout the islands. and to
| secure with the least possible delay the
benefits of wise and generous protec-
ton of life and property to the inhabi-
tants.' These gentlemen were DR. ia
| cob Gould Schurman, president of Cor
nell university; the Hon Charles DENLY,
for many years minister to China, and
| Professor Dean c. Worcester, OF the
| University of Michigan. who had made
| a most careful study or life In the Phil
ippines. While the treaty of peace was
under consideration In the senate these
commissioners set out on their mission
Of good will and liberation. Their char.
acter was q sufficient guaranty OF the
beneficent purpose with which they
went, even IL they had not borne the
| positive instructions Of this government
which made their errand pre-eminently
| one of peace and friendship.
| "But before their arrival at Manila
| the sinister ambition OF few leaders