The record-union., 1899-12-06
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
A Resume Of Events Since Their
Cession to United States.


On the 10th of December, 1898, the
treaty of peace between the United
States and Spain was signed. 1t pro-
vided, 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 10000 900,
and that the civil rights and political
status Of the native inhabitants of the
territories thus ceded to the United
States should be determined by Con-
gress. The treaty was ratified by the
Senate on the 9th of February, 1899,
and by the Government of Spain on the
18th of March following. The ratifica-
tons were exchanged on the 18th of
April, and the treaty publicly proclaim
ed. On the I'd of March Congress voted
the sum contemplated by the treaty,
and the amount was paid over to the
Spanish Government ON the first of
May.
In this manner the Philippines came
to the United States. The islands were
ceded by the Government of Spain,
which had been in undisputed posses
sion of them for centuries. They were
accepted not merely by our authorized
commissioners IN Paris under the d.
rection of the Executive but by the con-
stitutional and well considered action
of the representatives of the people of
the United States in both houses of
Congress.
I had every reason to believe, and
still believe, that this transfer of SOW
ereignty was in accordance with the
wishes and the aspirations of the great
mass of the Filipino people. From the
earliest moment no opportunity was
lost Of assuring the people of the ISL
ands of our ardent desire for their well
fare and of the intention of this Gov
eminent to do everything possible to
advance their interests. In my order
of the 10Th of May, 1898, the command
er of the military expedition dispatched
to the Philippines was instructed to de-
clare that we came not to make war
upon the people Of the country, "nor
upon any part or fraction among them,
but to protect them in their homes, in
their employments and in their per-
sonal and religious rights
That there should be no doubt as to
the paramount authority there, on the
18th of August, it 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 ter
ritory occupied by their military and
naval forces; that the insurgents and
all others must recognize the military
occupation and authority of the Unit
ed States. AS early as December 4th,
J,af ho nd in tot, iny,
of that event, the commander in Ma.
Mia was urged to restore peace and
tranquility, and to undertake the es-
tablishment of a benefcent government
which should afford the fullest security
for life and property.
MISSION OF PEACE.
On the 21st of. December, after the
treaty was signed, the commander OF
the forces of occupation was instructed
s'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 employment and in their per-
sonal and religious rights"
The same day, while ordering Gen
eral Otis to see that peace should be
| Df6S6IfcQ III 4lOllO, TIC was eAllllOlllSIlSu
that cit is most important that there
should be no conflict with the insur-
gents.' On the LIST day of January,
1899, your general orders were reiter,
ated that the kindly offices of this
Government should be in every possible
way communicated to the insurgents
On the Dist of January announced
my intention of dispatching to Manila
commission composed of three gentle
men of the highest character and dis
tinction, thoroughly acquainted with
the Orient, who, in association with
Admiral Dewey and Major General
Otis, were instructed to facilitate the
most humane and effective extension Of
authority throughout the islands and tc