Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1899-12-14
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
The story of How They Were Ac-
CURED Re1ated, and the Pert
AEuiualJp Has PLAYED.

The story of How They Were Ac-
uuired Related, and the Pert
AEuinaido Has Played.
The treaty of peace between the United
States and Spain provided that Spain
should cede to the United States the arch-
ipelago known as the Philippine Islands.
that the United States should pay spain
$50, 600, co., and that the civil rights and
political status of the nc,t I've inhabitants
of the territories thus cedeN to the United
States should be determined by congress.
Il had every reason to believe" the pres
ident says, "and l still believe that TINS
transfer of sovereignty was In accordance
with the wishes and the aspirations OF
the great mass of the Filipino people.
From tho earliest moment no opportuni~
ty was lost of assuring them OF our ard
dent desire for their welfare. In my order
of May ~, 1898, the commander OF the mil
itary expedition was instructed to say
that we came not to make war upon the
people of that country. nor upon the
party or faction among them, but to pro-
tect them in their homes, in their en-
pigments. and in their personal and re-
ligious rights That there should be no
doubt as to the paramount authority
there. on the 18th day OF August II was
directed that there must be no joint oc-
cupation with the insurgents, that the
United States must preserve the peace
within the territory occupied by their
military and naval forces; that the n
surgents and all others must recognize
the military occupation and authority OF
the United States.
on the 2lst of December, after the
treaty was signed, the commander or the
forces of occupation was instructed to
announce and proclaim in the most pub
lie manner that welcome, not as invaders.
as conquerors, but as friends, to protect
the natives in their homes, in their EN-
Payments. and in their personal and re-
lgious rights. on the same day, while
ordering Gen. Otis to see that the peace
should be preserved in lloilo, he was ac-
mOnished that II Is most important that
there should be no conflict with tho in
surgents.' ON the 2lst OF January an
nOunced my intention OF dispatching to
Manila a commission composed of three
gentlemen of the highest character and
distinction, thoroughly acquainted with
miral Dewey and Maj-Gen. Otis, were ILL
structed TO facilitate the most humane
and effective extension of authority
throughout the islands, and to secure
with the least possible delay the benefits
of a wise and generous protection OF life
and property to the Inhabitants
No Promises to AEuinaIdO.
while the treaty of peace was under
consideration in the senate these commits
siOners set out on their mission OF good
will and liberation. But before their ar
rival at Manila the sinister ambition of
few leaders Of the Filipinos had created
situation full of embarrassment for us and
most grieyous in its consequences TO
themselves. The claim of the rebel leader
that he was promised independence by
any officer OF the United States in return
for his assistance has no foundation in
ldGI ana is GdleSOIlCdlly denied Dy t.lt
very witnesses who were called to prove
1t. The most the insurgent leader hoped
for when he came back to Manila was
the liberation of the Islands from the
Spanish control, which they had been la
boring for years without success to throw
off. The prompt accomplishment OF this
work by the American army and navy
gave him other ideas and ambitions, and
insidious suggestions from various quar-
teIs perfected the purposes and intentions
with which he had taken up arms. No
gEns no hah nNn n en1 10 mil
than the Filipino forces began to assume
al. attitude of suspicion and hostility
which the utmost efforts of our officers
and troops were unable to disarm or
modify. Their kindness and forebearance
were taken as proof Of cowardice.
The Americans Attacked.
1.-THE aggressions of the Filipinos con.
tinually increased until, finally, just he
fore the time set by the senate OF the
United States for a vote upon the treaty,
an attack, evidently prepared in advance
which resulted in "A terribly destructive
and sanguinary repulse of the insurgents.
Ten days later an order of the insur-
gent government was issued to its adher-
ents who had remained in Manila. In
which Gen. otis justly observes that for
barbarous intent 1t is unequaled in
modern times. 1t directs that at
o'clock on the night Of the 18th of Feb
ruary. the territorial militia shall come
together in the streets Of San Pedro
armed with their bolos, with guns and
AMIN uHlllOn WltIe convenient tldt flll
Pine families only shall be respected but
that all other individuals, OF whatever
race they may be, shall be exterminated
without any compassion after the EXTERN
ination of the army of occupation, ana
adds Brothers, we must avenge our
selves on the Americans ana eXtermnate
them, that we may take our revenge tor
the infamies and treacheries, which they
have committed upon us. Have no COM
passion upon them; attack with vigor.
"a copy of this fell by good fortune in
to the hands OF our officers, and they were
able to take measures to control the rls-
ing, which was actually attempted on the
night of February 22, week later than
was originally contemplated, Considera-
BILE numbers of armed insurgents entered
the city by waterways and swamps, and,
in concert with confederates inside, at
tempted to destroy Manila by fire. They
were kept in check during tho night and
the next day driven out of the city with
heavy loss.
The Commissioner Story.
.'ThIs was the unhappy condition NJ AZ
fotrs ,,,hicb CONFRONTED onr cornraiSstH.
ers. What they actually found can best
be set forth in their own words:
'Deplorable as war Is, the one In which
We are now engaged, was unavoidable by
u.s. We were attacked by bold adven-
turous and enthusiastic army. No al
tentative was left to us except ignomin-
Gus retreat.
e 1T Is not to be conceived of that any
American would have sanctioned the sur
render of Manila to the insurgents. Our
obligations to other nations and to the