The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1899-12-08
THE PHILIPPIND QUESTION.
ACQUISITION OF the Islands-The Fill
DfnO InsurFectiOn.

On the lOtn OF December 1870 lHe liSotS
of peace between the United States and
Spain was signed. 1t provided, among
other things, that Spain should cede to
the United States the archipelago known
as the Philippine islands. that the United
States should pay to Spain the sum Of S29,-
900. .OOO and that the civil rights and pohti-
cal status of the native inhabitants OF
the territories thus ceded to the United
States should be determined by the con-
gress. The treaty was ratified by the SEN
ate on the 9th of February, 1898, and by
the government of Spain on the 18th CT
March following The ratihcatlons were
exchanged on the 18th of April, and the
treaty publicly proclaimed. On the I'd or
March, the congress voted the sum con-
templated 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 pcs
session of them for centuries. They we're
accepted not merely by our authorized
commissioners in Paris, under the direction
Of the executive but by the constitutional
and well-considered action of the repre-
sentatives of the people Of the United
States in both houses Of congress.
l had every reason to believe, and still
believe that this transfer of sovereignty
was in accordance with the wishes and
the aspirations of the great mass of the
Filipino people. From the earliest moment
no opportunity 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 possible
to advance their interests. In my order of
the 10Th Of May, 1898 the commander OF
the military expedition dispatched to the
Philippines was instructed to declare that
we came not to make war on the people
of the country, nor upon any part or
faction 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 10 the
paramount authority there, on the 18th
OF August, 1t was directed that there
must be no joint occupation with the in
surgents"; that the United States must
preserve the peace and protect persons
and property within the territory cccu-
pied by their military and naval forces;
that the insurgents and all others must
recognize the military occupation and au-
thority of the United States. AS early as
December 4, before the cession and in an
tcipation of that event, the commander in
Manila was urged to restore peace and
tranquility and to undertake the estab-
lishment of a benefeient government,
which should afford the fullest security
for life and property.
on the of December, after the treaty
was signed, the commander of the forces
of occupation was instructed ito announce
and proclaim, in the most public manner,
that we come, not as invaders and con-
querors, but as friends to protect the ma
tives in their homes, in their employments
and in their personal and religious
rights" The same day, while ordering
General Otis to see that peace should be
preserved In Ilo Ilo, he was admonlshed
that: ut is most important that there
should be no conflict with the insurgents.
On the first day of January, 1899, general
orders reiterated that the kindly inten-
! tions of this government should in every
possible way, be communicated to the
insurgents.
! The Philippine Commission.
! On the 21st of January, I announced my
intention OF dispatchlng to Manila com.
mission composed of three gentlemen oi
the highest character and distinction
/ thoroughly acquainted with the Orient
who, in association with Admiral Dewey
and Major-General Otis, were instructed
to facilitate the most humane and eff.
fective ends and to secure, with the Least
possible delay the benefits of a wise and
generous protection Of life and prOeprty tC
the inhabitants" These gentlemen were
DR.. Jacob Gould Schurman, president OF
Cornell university; the Hon. Charles Den.
by, for many years minister to China
and Professor Dean C. Worcester of the
university of Michigan, who had made
a most careful study Of life in the Phil
ippines.
While the treaty of peace was undei
consideration in the senate, these comm,s
sloners set out on their mission of goot
will and liberation Their character was z
sufficient guaranty of the beneficient pur
pose with which they went, even IL they
had not borne the positive instructions o.
this government which made their erranC
pre-eminently one of peace and friendship
But before their arrival in Manila, tn,
sinister ambition OF a few leaders Of th'
Filipinos had created a situation full o
embarrassments for US and most grievou
In its consequences to themselves.
The clear and impartial preliminary re
port of the commissioners, which trans
nit herewith. gives so lucid and compre
hensive a history of the present insumec
tionary movement that the story nee'
not be here repeated. 1t Is enough to sa.
that the claim of the rebel leader tina
he was promised independence by an,
officer OF the United States in return 70
his assistance has no foundation in fact
and is categoricaily denied by the yer,