The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-07-17
OUR TITLE IS CLEAR.

OUR TITLE IS CLEAR.
There is no greater error than that
INDUCED in by champion anti-expan-
sionists, when they revel in the delusion
that Aguinaldo represents a rightful
government. In fact, he represents a
small revolutionary body. That body
through him sold out whatever it had
gained to Spain for something over
100000. With this sum Aguinaldo and
the leaders left the islands, as they
agreed, but: did not remain absent as
their agreement bound them to do.
Assuming for the moment then, that
they had some sort of title to form
of government over the islands, they
sold sto, Spain all such right and title
and Spain in turn sold to us. We
thus became possessed in morals. and
in law of all rights in the government
right and authority over the Philip
Mr. McKelway, the editor of the Demo-
cratic Brooklyn Eagle in his speech
at Glen Summit Pa, on the 4th instant,
that had title, at the time of the trans
fer and was the only influence capable
of making a transfer. She could not
have transferred her authority and
interestssto the Filipinos Because they
had no government capable of accept
ing or bargaining. They had, he adds
not even the pretense of a government
Prior to that they had the pretense of
Il government under Aguinaldo, but it
was abandoned and. sold to Spain for
the sS400, 600, thereby there was convey
ed to Spain whatever color of title or
authority Aguinaldo represented. He
and his followers left the islands with
Spain in undisputed possession. We en-
tered. demolished the power of Spain
and in peace settlement paid her a
NAL transfer of her authority and title
with certain reservations regarding
recognition of personal rights in prop
erty, and the removal of certain State
property, arms. ammunition, etc. Thus
our title is perfectly clear as matter
of law and of morals.
But in addition to this we have the
judgment of the Supreme Court at Sing
apore at the instance of the suit of
Consul General Pratt to the effect that
we made no promise of recognition to
Aguinaldo on his return to the Philip
pines.
Now comes DR.. Seaman A. Knapp,
formerly President of the State Col
lege Of Iowa, replying to letter writ
ten by Senator Hoar and published in
the Christian Advocate and says that
before Aguinaldo was permitted to re-
turn to the Philippines he signed a
acknowledgements agreeing to obey the
authority of the United States, and that
If the. United States should elect to re.
tain the Philippines. he would do all in
his power to win the natives over to
that plan.
: On the strength of that agreement he
was allowed to return, and he and his
followers We're permitted to arm with
Weapons taken from the Cayite arsenal
But, says Dr. Knapp, when it became
apparent that Aguinaldo intended to
Use these arms to overawe his people,
he was warned by the proper authori-
ties against doing so. To DR.. Knapp's
certain knowledge Aguinaldo, to carry
out his scheme of treachery, confiscated
10000 acres of improved real estate
in provinces adjacent to Manila and
Cavite. From that moment Aguinaldo
became despotic, insulting. threatening
and high sounding in his declarations
about "a free government. the latter be-
ing especially intended for sympathetic
ears in the United States. All which
shows Aguinaldo to be what the best
advised authorities assert that he is, a
consummate scoundrel, tricky, treach-
erous, top-loftical and selfish, with
greed as his chief motor.
Concerning the contention of the anti
expansionists that the Filipinos were
our. allies in Luzon and were promised
independence and control Of the island
we have, says the -Inter-Ocean,' in an
able article upon the subject, the off,
cial statements of Admiral Dewey. Gem
erals Merritt and Anderson, Consul
Generals Wildman and Pratt and now
of DIR. Seaman A, Knapp.