The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-12-09
THE PHILIPPINE CEssION.
Ratified by Both Countries.

Ihltf.cu Dy LOth countries,
On the 10th of December. 1898. the
ana Spain was signed. 1t provided, among
other things, that Spain should ceIa to
the United States the archipelago know:
as the Philippine islands. that the United
States should pay to Spain the sum o.
81. OUt, 900. and that the civil rights and
political status of the native inhabitants
o. the territories thus ceded to the United
States should be determined by the cor
gress. The treaty was ratified by the
senate on the 9Th of February, 1899, and
by the government of Spain on the 10Th
OF March, following. The Qualifications
were exchanged on the 18th of April, ard
the treaty publicly proclaimed. On the
I'd of March the congress voted the S I'M
contemplated by the treaty, n the
amount was paid over to the Spanish CIV
m on the 1st of May.
United States Property.
In this manner the Philippines came to
the United States. The Islands were coded
by the government of Spain, which a
been in undisputed possession of them for
centuries.
The Paramount Authority.
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 in
surSents;' that the United States must
preserve the peace and protect persons
and property within the territory occupied
by their military and naval forces: that
the insurgents and all others must recog-
niZe the military occupation ard authority
OF the United States.
Proclaimed to the Natives.
On the 21st of December, after the treaty
was signed, the commander OF the forces
Of occupation was instructed ito an
nounce and proclaim in the most public
manner that We come, not as invader and
conluerers. but as friends to protect the
natives in their homes, in their employ
ments. and in their personal and religious
rights" On the same day, while order
ing Gen. Otis to see that the peace should
be preserved in Iloilo, he was a~dnonished
that: 1T is most important that there
should be no conflict with the insurgents"
The Philippine Commission.
Or the 21st of January 1 announced my
intention of di%spatching to Manila a com.
mission composed of three gentlemen of
the highest character and distinction
thoroughly acquainted with The orient,
who, in association with Admiral Dewey
facilitate the most humane and effective
extension of authority throughout the ISL
ands and to secure with the least posi-
BILE delay the benefits of L wise and gener-
Gus protection of life and property to the
inhabitants"
A Most Grievou. Situation.
Eut before their arrival at Manila. the
sinister ambition of a few leaders of the
FiiipiEOs had created a situation full of
embarrassment for us and most grievous
in its consequences to themselves. The
clear and impartial preliminary report of
the commissioners which / transmit here
with gives So lucid and comprehensive a
history of the present inSurrectionary
movement that the story need not be here
related.
Gathered other Idens.
The prompt accomplishment of this
work by tine American army and navy
ave him other ideas and ambitions, and
insidious suggestions from various quar-
tprS npryprtel the DurnOSpS and infanfinpS
with which Re had taken up arms. No
sooner had our army captured Manila
thar the Filipino forces began to assume
an attitude of suspicion and hostility
which the utmost efforts of our officers
and troops We're unable to disarm or mcdi-
fy. Their kindncs and forbearance were
taken as a proof of cowardice: The ag-
grcssiCns of the F%ilipinos continually in
creased, until finally, just before the time
set fer the senate of the United States
for a vote upon the treaty an attack, evil
along the American lines which resulted
in terribly destructive and Sar culinary re-
pulse of the insurgents.
We Could Not Surrender.
It is not to be conceived of that any
American would have sanctioned the sur
render of Manila to the insurgents. Our
obligations 10 other nations and TO the
friendly Filiriuos and to ourselves and
cur flag demanded that force should be
met by force. Whatever the future of the
Il iillIpDlAiNs L. NC. -iiCiC Id ho tooi %
open to us now except the prosecution of
the war until the insurgents are reduced
to submission. The commission is of the
opinion that there has been no time since
the destruction of the Spanish squadron
by Admiral Dewey when 1t was possible
to withdraw our forces from the islands,
either with horror 20 ourselves or with
safety to the inhabitants.
Rebellion Must he Put Down.
The course thus clearly Indicated has
been uufinchinsly pursued. The rebellion
must be put down. Civil government can
not be thoroughly established until order
is restored. With a devotion and gallant
ry worthy of it's most brilliant history, the
army, ably and loyalty assisted by the
navy, has carried on this unwelcome, but
most righteous campaign with richly-de-
Noble seIf-sncriace.
sailors and soldiers whose terms of service
had expired refused to avail themselves
Of their right 10 return home as long as
were needed at the front, forms one
of the brightest pages in our annals.
Work of Reconsideration.
The unavoidable circumstances connect
cd with an active campaign have not beer
permitted to interfere with the equally |
work Of reconstruction. Again
invite your attention to the report of the
commissioners Tor the interesting and en-
details of the work already ac- |
in tie establishment OF peace |
and order ana the INAUGURATION Oh SELL |
municipal life in many portions
IF the archipelago. A notable beginning
has been made in the establishment of a |
in the island of Negroes, |
is desei wing of special consid ara
lion. |
The Sulu Islands.
The authorities of the Sulu islands have
the succession of the United
States to the rights of Spain. and ou:
flag floats over that territory.
The Rebellion TOfferinD. |
Everything indicates that with the
speedy suppression of the Tagalo rebel
lion, life in the archipelago will soon Ie-
its ordinary course under the pro-
of our sovereignty, and the people
IF those favored islands will enjoy a pros
perity and a freedom which tr;ey have
before known. Already hundreds
Of schools are open n filled With chill
tren.
Future of the Philippines.
The future government of the Philip
1ines rests with the congress of the Unit
I'd States. Few graver responsibilities
nave ever been confided to us. If we ac-
.ept them in i spirit worthy Of our race
ind our traditions, a great opportunity
with them. The Islands lie under
very title of law and equity. They can
.ot be abandoned.
Until Congress Acts.
Until congress shall have made known
he formal expression Of its will, l h
and the states to uphold the
,nvereignty of the United States in those
islands as in all other places
yhara o,r flag rightfully floats. shall |