Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-12-16

islands, that the United States should
pay to Spain the sum OF $4,000, ,000
and that the civil rights and political
status OF the native inhabitants OF the
territories thus ceded to the United
States should be determined by con
gress. The treaty was ratified by the
senate on the 9th of February, 1899,
and by the government of Spain on
the 10th of March following. The rati-
fications were exchanged on the 11th
Of April, and the treaty publicly pro-
claimed. On the Cd of March the con-
gress voted the sum contemplated by
the treaty and the amount was paid
over to the Spanish government on
the LIST of May.
In this manner the Philippines came
TO the United States. The islands
were ceded by the government of
Spain, which had been in undisputed
possession of them for centuries. They
were accepted, not merely by our au-
thorized commissioners in Paris, un.
der the direction of the executive, but
by the constitutional and well-consid-
cred action Of the representatives of
the people of the United States in
both houses of congress. had every
|
that this transfer OF sovereignty was
in accordance with the wishes and the
aspirations of the great masses 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
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 that
country "nor upon any party or fac
ton among them, but to protect them
In 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 18th of August il was de-
clared that there must be no joint oc-
cupation with the insurgents" that
| the United States must preserve the
! peace and protect persons and prop
erty within the territory occupied by
! their military and naval forces; that
the insurgents and all others must
! recognize the military 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
! n benefcent 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 instruct
ed "to 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 personal and religious
rights" On the same day, while or
dering General Otis to see that the
peace should be preserved at lloilo, he
was admonished that: at is most inn
portant that there should be no con-
flict with the insurgents" On the 1st
day of February, 1899, urgent orders
were reiterated that the kindly inten-
tions of this government should be
in every possible way communicated
10 the insurgents.
Commission Sent to Manila.
On the 21st of January announced
my intention of dispatching to Manila
commission composed of three gen
tlemen of the highest character and
distinction, thoroughly acquainted
with the orient, who, in association
with Admiral Dewey and Major Cen
aral nt;c mana m ufnaili-
tate the most humane and effective
extension of authority throughout the
islands, and to secure with the least
possible delay the benefits OF wise
and generous protection of life and
property TO the inhabitants" These
gentlemen were: DR.. Jacob Gould
Schurman. president Of Cornell uni
versity; the Hon. Charles DENLY, for
many years minister to China, and
Professor Dean {. Worcester, of the
University of Michigan, who made a
most careful study of life in the Phil
ippines. While the treaty of peace
was under consideration in the SEN
ate, these commissioners set out on
their mission of goodwill and liber-
alton. Their character was a suf-
fcient guarantee of the beneficent
purpose with which they went, even
if they had not borne the positive in
structions Of this government, which
made their errand pre-eminently one
of peace and friendship.
Work OF Few Piotters.
But before their arrival at Manila
the sinister ambition of few leaders
of the Filipnos had created situa.
ton full of embarrassments for us
and most grievous in its consequences
to themselves. The clear and impair.
tial preliminary report Of the commits
sioners, which / transmit herewith,
gives SO lucid and comprehensive II
history of the present insurrectionary
movement that the story need not be
here repeated. 1t is enough to say that
the claim of the rebel leader that he
was promised independence by any Of
ficer Of the United States in return
for his assistance has no foundation in
fact and is categorically denied by the
very witnesses who were called TO
prove it. The most the insurgent leader
hoped for when he came back to Ml-
Mia was the liberation of the islands
from the Spanish control, which tiey
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 va
rious quarters perverted the purposes
and intentions with which he had
taken up arms. No sooner had our
army captured Manila than the Fill
pino forces began TO assume an atti-
tude of suspicion and hostility which
the utmost efforts of our officers and
troops were unable to disarm or modi.
fy. Their kindness and forbcarance