The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-12-06
THE PHILIPPINES.
The Transfer of the Sovereignty of
spain-our Rights in the Archi-

THE PHILIPPINES.
The Transfer of the Sovereignty of
spain-our Rights in the Archi-
pelago.
On the 10th of December 1888 the
treaty of peace between the United
States and Spain was signed. II pro-
vIded, among other things, that Spain
should cede TO the United States tire
archipelago known as the Philippine
Islands; that the United States should
pay 10 Spain the sum OF s2O.OoOOOO, and
that the civil rights and political status
Of the native Inhabitants OF the terri
tories thus coded to the United States
should be determined by the Congress.
The treaty was ratified by the senate on
the 9Th Of February, 1899. and by the
government OF Spain on March 10
following. The ratifications were OK
changed. 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
coded by the government OF Spain,
which had been in undlsputedy possession
OF them for centuries. They were ae-
cepted not merely by our authorized
commissioners in Paris. under the d.
rectiOn of the Executive, but by the
constitutional and well-considered ac-
ton OF the representatives Of the peo-
pie Of the United States in both houses
OF Congress. had every reason to be-
lIeve, and still believe, that this trans
fer OF sovereignty was In accordance
with the wishes and the aspiration OF
the great mass OF the Filipino people
From the earliest moment no OppUr-
tunity was lost OF assuring the people OF
the islands OF our ardent desire for their
welfare, and OF the intention OF thiE
government to do everything possible
to, advance their interests. In my order
Of the 18th OF May, 1898, the commander
OF the military expedition dispatched to
the Philippines was instructed to de-
clare that we came not to make war up
on the people OF that country. NOR upon
any party or faction among them, but
20 protect them in their homes, 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 iTth OF August II was il
rectcd that There must be no Joint &C.
cupatlon with the insurgents" 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 recognize the mill
tary occupation and authority Of the
United States. AS early as December
before the cession, and In anticipation OF
49, kn
was urged 10 restore peace and tram
guilty and to undertake the establish
nteRt OF benefcept government. which
should AFFORD the fullest security for life
and property.
ON the 2lst OF December. after the
treaty was signed, the commander OF
the forces of occupation was instructed:
etc announce and proclaim in the most
public manner that we came, not MS In
VndcTs and conQuerOrs, but as friencs,
to protect the natives in their homes, in
their emplOyments. and in their personal
and religious liberty" on the same
day, while ordering General Otis 20 STE
that the peace should be preserved In
Hello, he was admonished: ut is most
important that there should be no con-
ilict with the insurgents. on the LIST
OF January. 1899, urgent orders were Ie-
iterated that the kindly intentions Of
this government should be In every pos
sible way communicated TO the lnsur-
gents.
on The 2lst of January announced
my Intention OF dlspatchinE to Manila
commission composed of three gentfG-
men OF the highest character and dis
tinctlon. thoroughly acquainted with
the Orient. who. In association with Ad-
miral Dewey and MaJor-GenGrAl Otis.
were instructed TO Facilitate the most
humane and effective extension OF au-
thority throughout the islands, and TO
secure with the least possible delay the
benefits Of a wise and generous prOtec-
ton OF life and property to the inhRbIt
ants" These gentlemen were DR.. ia
cob Gould Schurman. president Of Cor
nell University, the Hon. Charles Dem
by, FOR many years minister to China,
ard Prof Dean O. Worcester, Of the
University OF Michigan, who had made
n most careful study OF life in the Phil
ipplnes. While the treaty OF peace YVES
under consideration in the senate, these
commissioners set out on their mission
OF good will and liberation. Their char
acter was IL sufficient guaranty Of the
bcnNiircni purpose with which they
went even II they had not borne the pos
tive Instructions OF this government
which made their errand consequently
one OF peace and friendship.
An Embarrassing Situation.
But before their arrival at Manila the
sinister ambition of few leaders Of the
FilIpInos had created a situation full OF
embarrassments for us and most grlcv-
Gus In It's consequence to themselves.
Tho clear and impartial preliminary
report OF The commissioners, which
transmit herewith, gives so lucid and
comprehensive a history of the present
insurrectlonary movement that the
story need not be here repeated. II is
enough to say that the claim of thu
rebel leader that he was promised indie
prndcncc by any officer OF the United
States In return for his assistance has
no foundation in fact, and IL cnleEoric-
ally denied by the very WITNESSES who
were called to prove IT, The most the
lnsurEent leader hoped for when he
cume back to Manila was the liberation
OF the Islands from Spanish control,