Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-12-08


treaty. and the amount was paid over to the
Spanish government on May 4.
:, In this manner the philippines came to the
government OF Spain, which mad been In un-
disputed possession of them for centuries.
They were accepted not merely by our author
lied commissioners in Paris, under the direc- |
tion of the executive but by the constitutional |
and ell-consdered action OF the representa- |
tives of the people OF the United States In both
houses OF congress. 1 had every reason to |
believe, and still believe, that this transfer
of sovereignty was In accordance with the
wishes and the aspirations OF the great mass
OF tho 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
tho intention of this government TO do every
thing possible to advance their interests. In
my order of May 10, 1898, 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
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 nth of March 1t was directed that there
must be no joint occupation with the insS'r-
gents;" that the United States must preserve
the peace and protect persons and property
within the territory occupied by their military
ana naval forces; that the insurgents and all
and authority of the United States. AS early
as December 4, before the cession, and In an
ticpation OF that event, the commander in
Manila was urged to restore peace and tran
guilty and to undertake the establishment of
u benehcent government, which should at1ord
the fullest security for life and property.
On the 2lSt OF December, after the treaty
was signed, the commander of the forces of
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:
DC Gr1nnC INN NInr bnf
conflict with the insurgents" On January 1,
1892 urgent orders we're reiterated that the
kindly intentions OF this government should be
In every possible way communicated to the
insurgents
On January 81 1 announced my intention of
dispatching to Manila n 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, we're 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 wore DIR. Jacob Schurman, presi-
dent OF Cornell university; Hon. Charles Dem
by, for many years minister to China, and
Prof. Dean C. Worcester, of the University OF
Michigan, who had made a careful study of
peace was under consideration in the senate
these commissioners set out 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
to themselves. The clear and impartial pre-
iiminary report OF the commissioners which l
transmit herewith, gives so comprehensive n
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
leader that he was promised independence by
| independence by any officer 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 it. The most
| the lQSurgelt LEADER hODel for when he came
back to Manila was the liberation of the islands
| from the Spanish control, which they had been
laboring for years without success to throw OH.
The prompt accomplishment of this work by
| the American army and navy gave him other
ideas and ambitions, and insidious suggestions
| from various quarters perverted the purposes
| and intentions with which he had taken up
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 dlsarm or modify. Their kindness
| ana forbearance were taken as a proof of cow
| ardtce. The aggressions Of tho Filipinos con-
| tinually increased until finally. just before the
time set by the senate of the United States fol
| vote upon the treaty, an attack, evidently
| prepared in advance, was made all along the
| American lines, which resulted in terribly
destructive and sanguinary repulse Of the In
Ten days later an order of the insurgent gov.
ernment was issued to its adherents who haC
| remained in Manila, Of which Gen. Otis justly
observes that for barbarous intent it is un
equallcd In modern times" 1t directs that q
so'clock on the night of the 18th of February
the territorial militia" shall come together
| in the streets of San Pedro, armed with bolos
| with guns and ammunition where convenient
that Filipino families cnly shall be respected
but that all other individuals, of whatever rae,
| they may be, shall be exterminated withou
| any compassion, after the eXtermination of th'
| army OF occupation, and adds: Brothers
we must avenge ourselves on the American
and exterminate them, that we may take on
revenge for the infames and treachere!
which they have comm tied upon u.s. Hav
no compassion on them: attack with vigor"
A copy of this fell into the hands of ou
officers and they were able to take measure
to control the rising, which was actually at
tempted on the night of February %, a weel
later than was originally contemplated Con
siderable numbers OF armed insurgents entere(
the city and in concert with confederates in
side attempted to destroy Manila by fire
They were kept in check during the night an
the next day driven out OF the city with heav
loss.
This was che 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 Maj Gen. Otis in establish
ing peace and order in the archipelago and tn
largest measure OF self-goyernment compati
; BILE with the true welfare of the people. Wha
} they actually found can best be set forth
their own words:
"Deplorable rs war is. the one in which W
, are now engaged was unavoidable by us. w
thusiastlc army. No alternative was left TO u
except ignominouS retreat.
1T is not to be conceived OF that any Ameri
n I
: Manila to the insurgents. Our obligations
, other nations and to the friendly Filipinos an
: vto ourselves and our flag demanded that fore
should be met by force. Whatever the futur
2 OF the Philippines may be, there is cours
n open to us now except the prosecution of til
: 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-:
q Dewey when twas possible to withdraw OF
, forces from the islands either with honor
a | ourselves or with safety to the Inhabitants"
4 The course thus clearly indicated has bee
. unfnchingly pursued. The rebellion must /
i put down. Civil government cannot be thoi
/, | oughly established until order is restores
. | With q devotion and gallantry worthy of 4
most brilliant history. the army ably assiste
by the navy, has carried on this unwelcome bl
most righteous campaign with richly deserve
d success. The noble self-sacriice with whiC
: our soldiers and sailors whose terms OF servit
. had expired refused TO avail themselves
their right to return home as long as they we
S needed at the front forms one OF the brighte
: pages in our annals. Although their oper
: tions have been somewhat interrupted NJ
n checked by rainy season Of unusual violen'
and duration, they have gained ground steadi
G in every direction, and now look forward con
S IDENTIFY to speedy completion of their task.
. The unfayorable circumstances connect,
u with an active campaign have not been pc
- mitted to interfere with the equally importa