Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-15
FAIRFIELD.
81 MAJOR FRYE
Addresses the Citizens OF Fa field on the
Philippine Situation.

Considering the prominence Of the
speaker and the general interest in the
subject there was a small crowd in
attendance at the Opera house. last
. evening when Scator Frye spoke Oh
the Philippines. He was introduced by
President Butler of Colby.
AT no time in the memory of man
and woman has it been necessary to
90 out of our own State to find men to
speak on any topic" said Pres. Butler
certainly none have been more promi-
nent than Senator Frye"
Mr.. Frye said: came here to make a
slight contribution toward building a
church. | believe in them Centuries
ago there was wedding in Massa-
| chusetts. The music was that of the
birds and the old ocean. the hidden
guests We're the Puritans. From that
union was born Civilization.
There are hundreds who believe this
| civilization should be spread to the
/ Philippines. They are honestly and
! honorably ours: they We're honestly
and honorably acquired. Five commits
! sioners We're appointed TO settle the
| terms Of peace and l had the honor to
be one Of them. The Spanish men were
skilled in diplomacy. which means ly-
! ing. our relations were pleasant.
though painful. We knew they carried
in their hands their political lives.
The French press treated us with dis
courtesy. for they sympathized with
Spain. During the time we had all
We could ask
Their first demand was that we |
should release the prisoners. pay sol !
diers killed ana wounded. pay for ships |
dos -,l
this but the protocol. We said il |
would not do to restore prisoners ana
put arms in their hands that they /
might join those outside.
Manila was captured four days after
signing the protocol.
The next demand was that we accept !
the sovereignty of Cuba. We declined.
Congress told US not to. We said Cuba
should have a free and independent
government. Il would have fastened
the debt Of 100000 or $4,000. 600 on
them. a thing not right They demand
ed we should guarantee the debt We
refused. There was hardly a day dur
ing the time when l did not believe
that war would be continued. | SO
telegraphed the President.
We made an ultimatum. Nothing
but solid argument would cause our
five commissioners to agree.
There is no doubt the Filipinos help
ed US No agreement or promises were
made to them.
Regarding leaving the islands to the
tender mercies of Spain he told of the
manner in which the Spaniards had ,
used the Filipinos
Regarding the coaling station we fin I
he, ,,I,i
would not like the debt and that Cuba a
should be free. We said You must {
leave Porto Rico. We must have the !
island of Guam We must have if for h
place to land our cables. We must $
nave the archipelago. Why did W. =
give the S2O,OO0,000? 1t is a recognized
principal Of International law that the
nation taking territory shall pay for
ne internal improvements made
-ould we AFFORD to be less magnanimous "
nan others? They had made improve- II
hents, bullt houses, dry dock and i'm G
proved Manila bay. We reouirad +,
spain to release US from all outlvina
ialms' In my Judgment they releas- "
"a :. more 10 us IN the islands than they q
lid to us ny q,
IL IS IN the power of Congress 70 ia a,
nun the Philippines what they wish
W. nat benefits are we to get fran, ~ I"
stands, There was. probably never al
ouitry 50 endowed as this. We mad ca
Sc Oh our gifts at the close Of tba ci,.;, :.
ar. we distanced the nations IF tit
'orld in progress. Our home ,,an,l or