The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-06
FUTURE OF THE
PHILIPPINES In
CONGRESS- HANDS
But the Islands Are Ours By
Every Title Of Law and
Equity.

On the 10th of December, 1888, the
treaty of peace between the United
States ana Spain was signed. Il 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 $20,oOo,0OO and
that the civil rights and political status
of the native inhabitants of the terri
tories thus oeded to the United Sc es
should he determined by the congress.
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 Publications were
exchanged on the 18th of April and the
treaty publicly proclaimed. On the End
of March the congress voted the sum
contemplated by the treaty. and the
amount was paid over to the Spanish
government on the 1st of May.
In this manner the Philippines came
TO the United States The islands were
ceded by the government of Spain.
which has been in undisputed posses
sion of them for centuries. They were
accepted not merely by our authorized
commissioners i'll Paris under the di-
rectfon of the executive but by the
constitutional and well considered ac-
tion OF the representatives of the peo-
pie of the United States in both houses
of congress.
| had every reason 10 believe and I
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.
Our Good Intentions.
From the earliest moment no oppor-
tunity was lost of assuring the people
of she islands of our ardent desire for
41,ot, of he intention of
this government to do everything pos
sible to advance their interests. In
nv order of the 18th of May. 1885, 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 the
country. nor upon any part or fac
ton among them, but to protect them
- their homes, in their employments,
~and in their personal and religious
rights"
That there should be no doubt as to
the paramount authority there, on the
nth OF August ii 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 terri
tory occupied by their military and ma
val forces: that the insurgents and all
others must recognize the military oc-
cupation and authority of the United
States. AS early as Dec. (, before the
cession and in anticipation of that
event. the commander in Manila was
Srged 10 restore peace and tranquility
and TO undertake the establishment of
a benefcent government. which should
afford the fullest security for life and
property
Friends of the Filipinos.
On the 21st of December. after the
treaty was signed. the commander of
the forces of occupation was instructed
Ito announce and proclaim in the most
public manner that we come. not as
invaders and conquerors. but as friends
TO protect the natives in their homes.
in their employments. and in their per-
sonai and religious rights.
The same day while ordering General
Otis 20 see that peace should be pre-
served in Iloilo, he was admonished
that: 1T is most important that there
should be no conflict with the insur-
gents" On the LIST day of January.
1893. your general orders were reiter-
ated that the kindly intentions of this
government should be in every possible
way communicated to the insurgents
On the 21st of January I announced
my intention CT dispatching to Manila
p commission composed of three gen
tlemen of the highest character and
distinction, thoroughly acquainted with
Adnliral Dewey and Major General
Otis. were instructed 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 pro-
lection of life and property to the in
habitanIs.
The Philippine Commission.
These gentlemen were DR.. Jacob
Gould Schurman, president of Cornell
university: the Hon. Charles DENLY.
for many years minister to China. and
Professor Dean c. Worcester of the
University of Michigan. who had made
a most careful study of life in the Phil
ippines While the treaty of peace was
under consideration in the senate these
commissioners set out on their mission
OF good will and liberation. Their
character was a sufficient guaranty of
the beneficeit purpose with which they
went. even If they had not borne the
positive instructions of this govern
nent. which made their errand pre-en-
inertly one of peace and friendship
But before their arrival at Manila
the sinister ambition of few leaders
ot<the Filipinos had created a situation
sfull of embarrassrnents for US and most
grieyous in its consequences TO them
selves The clear and impartial pre-
liminary report of the commissioners