The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-11-24
Col. Denby's Federation.

Col. Charles Denny, Democrat
former minister to China, and
member Of the Philippine COM
mission, in a recent statement
emphasizes some Of the points made in
the commissions preliminary report.
Colonel DENLY. in pointing out the fall
sity OF the claims OF the AtkLnsonites
that the FllIplnos would have gnined
their independence even IL the United
States forces had never appeared at
Manila, says that when the American
troops arrived at Manila, the insurrec-
ton was dead. Agutnaido and thirty
four Of his principal supporters had
been bought over. The war and Spain
was over, and Its end had been cele-
hrated in Manila. Nobody possessing
common sense even dreamed Of a re-
newal of the instruction.
LET US then" says Colonel DENLY,
take to ourselves this credit. at least,
that 1t was our arrival in Manila which
fired the blood OF an oppressed
people to revolt against their oppress-
ors. II we had never gone to Manila.
thesame Did oppression would have stih
existed. and to-day the rule Of Spain
would have been as absolute as ever
1t was"
The colonel next refers to the 1ntis'
allegation that Admiral Dewey should
have sailed away from Manila after he
had destroyed the Spanish feet, and he
asks where the admiral could have
gone. since all the ports OF the civilized
world were closed to him. Moreover,
there was the possibility that Spain
might send other ships to the Philip
pines. I'VE were at war" says the
colonel: "a fact which our humane
friends seem to forget, Why should we
not have taken Manila as we took San
tIago. as we took San Juan? II the
war had lasted little longer We would
possibly have taken cadIz. Let it be
put down. then. that We were justified
in taking Manila
In concluding his admirably clear
statement. Col DENLY summarizes the
situation as follows:
1--WE conquered and bought the Phil
Ippines. They belong to ua as Alas
ka does, and as Porto Rico does. and
Florida and other states and territories.
We will do with them what Justice and
humanity and our own mutual advan-
tage may dictate.
at has cost US bloody war to hold
them. They are the dearer for that.
We did not inaugurate this war, We
did ali that men could do to avoid st.
except that our brave troops did not
run when they we're fred on.
It would seem that the war had to
to come; that the FIliplnos would not
have respected US unless they had tried
our mettle. They believed that we were
towards. because they had so often In
suited US without resistance. We had
turned one cheek; possibly they thought
that we would turn the other,
Before the senate had ratified the
treaty. before Spain had ratified it, be-
fore Publications were exchanged, a
general. vigorous. deadly assault was
made on our lines. Our sentinel fired
first. That was no excuse for a gem
eral attack on our lines. He obeyed
his ordinary orders to allow no man to
cross his post. 1t was mere routine.
He might have been shot himself by his
own commander II he had not obeyed
orders.
The simultaneous attacks along many
miles OF front showed that AguIRaldo
courted tho opportunity for war. He
has been gratiAcd. He has had more
than he barEaned for. He made the
fatal error Of believing that he could