The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-14
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
History OF Their Purchase, tho Insur.
rection and McKinley's Recommon.
datiOns

rection and McKinley's Recommon-
dations.
On the 10Th of December, 1898, the
treaty of peace between the United
States and Spain was signed. 1t pro-
vlded among other things that Spain
should deed to the United States the
archipelago known as the Philippine
islands, that the United States should
pay to Spain the sum OF twenty mil
lions of dollars, and that the civil right
and political status OF the native in
| haoltants OF the territories thus ceded
to the United should be determined by
the Congress. The treaty was ratified
oy The Senate on the 9th OF February,
on the 10Th of March following. The
rattfications were exchanged on the
llth OF April, and the treaty publicly
proclaimed. On the I'd OF March the
Compress voted the sum conte plated
oy the treaty and the amount was paid
over to the Spanish government on
the lst OF May. In this manner the
Philippines came to the United States.
The Islands were .ceded by the govern
ment Of Spain, which had been In un.
dispu cd possession Of them for centu-
rles. They were accepted not merely
by our authorized agents in Paris un-
der the direction Of the executive, but
by the constitutional and well consider
ed action OF the representatives of the
people 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
aspirations Of the great masses OF the
Philippine people.
From the earliest moment, no opsor-
tunity was lost OF assuring the people
| OF the islands OF our ardent desire for
| their welfare and OF the intention of
this government to do everything pos
sibie to advance their interests. In
my order OF the 10Th OF May, 1893. 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 fac
tlon among them, but to protect them
IN their homes, In their employments
and In their personal and religious
rights y; 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 occupa-
ton with tho Insurgents that the
United States must preserve the peace
ana protect persons and property with
the territory occupied by their military
and naval forces that the insurgents
and all others must recognize the mill
tary occupation and authority OF the
United States" AS early as D1cem.
ber Hth, before the cossioa and In anti
clpat'0n OF that event, the commander
! In Manila was urged to restore peace
and tranquility and undertake tho es-
tablishment Of q benefcent govern.
ment which should afford tho fullest
security to life ana property.
On 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 VIC came, not as
invaders and conquerore, but ss friends,
to protect the natives in their homes,
In their employments and In their per-
sonal and religious rights"
On the same day, while ordering
General Otis to sec that tho peace
should be preserved In Iloilo, he was
admontshed that 1t Is most important
that there should be no conflict with