The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-05
ANNUAL MESSAGE.
Continued from Third Page)

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possession of them for centuries. They
were accepted not merely by our auth
orized commissioners in Paris, under
the direction of the executive, but by
the constitutional and well considered
action of the representative of the peO-
PIE of the United States in both houses
of congress. I had every reason to be
lieve, and still believe that this trans
fer of sovereignty was in accordance
with the wishes and the aspirations OF
the great mass of the Filipino people
From the earliest moment, no oppor-
tunity was lost of assuring the people
Of the islands of our ardent desire for
their welfare and Of the intention of
this government to do everything pos
sible to advance their interests In my
order of the 18th of May, 1893, the com
mander of the military expedition, dis
patched to the Philippines, was in
Structed to declare that we came not to
make war upon the people of the coun-
Try, nor upon any part or faction
among them, but to protect them in
their homes, in their empIOyments and
in their personal and religious rights"
That there should be no doubt to the
paramount authority there, on the 18th
of August, it was directed that there
must be no joint occupation with the
insurgents 20 that the United States
must preserve the peace and protect
persons and property within the terri
tory occupied by their military and
naval forces; that the insurgents and
ali others must recognize the mlntary
occupation and authority of the United
States. As early as December 4, before
the cessiOn and in anticipation of that
event, the commander in Manila was
urged to restore peace and tranquility
and to undertake the establishment Of
a beneficent government, which should
afford the fullest security for life and
property.
On the 21st of December after the
treaty was signed, the commander of
the forces of occupation was instructed
to announce and proclaim in the most
public manner, that we come, not as in
Vaders and cOnquerOrs, but as friends
TO protect the natives in their homes, in
their emplOyments, and in their person
al and religious rights"
The same day while ordering General
GUS 70 see lhaC peace shouId be pre-
served in lIollO he was admOnished:
that it is most important that there
should be no conflict with the insur-
gents"
on the first day of January, 1892 gen
eraI orders We're reiterated that the
kindly intentions of this government
should be in every possible way COM
municated to the insurgents.
PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
On the 21st of January. / announced
my intention of dlspatching to Manila
a commission composed of three gentle
men of the highest character and dis
tinction, thoroughly acquainted with
the Orient, who in association with Ad-
mlral Dewey and Major General Otis
were instructed to facilitate the most
humane and effective extension of au-
thority throughout the islands and to
sec III e " lLL LAAe 4tdSL pbSSlDle QEldN -
the benefits of a wise and a generous
protection Of life and property to the
Inhabitants
These gentlemen were DR.. Jacob
Gould Schurman. president of Cornell
university; the Hon. Charles DENLY.
Tor many years minister to China, and
Prof. Dean c. Worcester, of the Uni
Ners1ty of Michigan, who had made a
most careful study of life in the Philip
pines While the treaty of peace was
under consideration in the senate, these
OF good will and liberation. Their
character was a sufficient guaranty of
the bene6cent purpose with which they
went, even II they had not borne the
positive instructions of this govern
ment which made their errand pre-
emlnently one OF peace and friendship.
But before their arrival at Manila,
the sinister ambition of a few leaders
of the Fnipinos had created a situation
full of embarrassmentS for US and most
grleVOuS IN It's consequences to them
selves The clear and impartial prelim-
mary report of the commissioners.
which I transmit herewith. gives so
lucid and comprehensive history of
the present insurrectiOnary movement
that the story need not be here repeat
ed. 1t is enough to say that the claim
OF the rebel leader that he was prom
ised independence by any officer of the
United States in return for his assist
ance has no foundation in fact and is
categOrically denied by the very wit
nesses who were called to prove it.
The most the insurgent leader hoped
for when he came back to Manila was
the liberation OF the Islands from the
Spanish control under which they had
been laboring 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
quarters perverted the purposes and IN
tentions with which he had taken up
arms. No sooner had our army cap
tured Manila than the Filipino forces
began to assume an attitude of Sus-
Dicion and hostility which the utmost
efforts of our officers and troops were
unable to disarm or modify Their
kindness and fOrbearance We're taken
as a proof of cowardice. The aggres-
siOnS of the FiHpinOS continually in
creased until finally, just before the
time set for the senate of the United
States for a vote upon the treaty. an
attack evidently prepared in advance
was made all along the American lines
which resulted in a terrible destructive
and sanguinary repulse of the insurgents.
FILIPINO .TREACHERY.
Ten days later an order of the insur-
gent government was issued to its ad-
herents who had remained in Manila,
of which General Otis justly observes
that for barbarOus intent it is un-
equalled in modern times" 1t directs
that at 8 o'clock on the night of the 4th
of February, the territorial militia shall
come together in the streets of San Pc
drO. armed with their boIOs. with guns
and ammunition where convenient that
Filipino families only shall be respect
ed; but that all other individuals. of
whatever race they may be, shall be
exterminated without any compassion.
after the determination of the army of
occupation, and adds:
Brothers, we must avenge ourselves
on the Americans and eXterminate
them. that we may take our revenge
for the infamies and treacheries which
they have committed upon US. Have no
compassion upon them; attack with
vigOr."
A copy of this. fell, by good fortune
into the hands of our officers and they