The Portland daily press., 1899-05-17
Small But Enthusiastic
Meeting,
Pres. Boutwell, Says Army Must
leave Philippines.

/: Boston, May 16.-A conference of we'll
known members Of the anti-Impsrialist
league was held at Youug's hotel this
afternoon. Although the attendance was
not large. the enthusiasm was marked.
The event of the evening was the strong
address delivered by ex-Gov. Boutwell,.
As president OF the anti-Imperialistic
league, ex-Gov. Boutwell, denied this
charge that the organization was engaged
in improper dealings with the army In
the Philippines, but stated that 1t was
the purpose of the league "to bring the
army out of the Philippines BY the quiet
influence of the American people at home,
acting through the ordinary channels of
Intercourse and communication; but,
failing In that effort as fail we may, then
we propose to so act as to summon the
army from tbs Philippines by the au-
thority of the votes of the American peo-
pie and without thought of the conse-
quences to men, to administrations, to
political parties or to questions of domes-
tic concern"
He continued:
"If the opinion of one person upon the
question whether the President of the
United States or AguinBldo is in the
right. is of any value to the advocates
OF Imperialism, am prepared to make
answer. Aguinaldo is contending for
that which is his own, the right to self
government int common with those with
whom he is associated and whom he rep
resents. The President asserts right
to govern others, right which has new
er been possessed lawfully by anyone,
and which has never been exercised
between Aguinaldo and the President,
Aguinaldo is In the right and the Presi-
dent Is in the wrong.
"Aguinaldo can only bring the war to
an end by the surrender of all right to
self government in himself and in his
people and by the recognition of right
In the President to govern and to tax
s, 000 900 Filipinos in whatever manner
shall to him seem expedient; while on
the other hand, the President can bring
peace to the islands by the abandonment
of q claim to which he hes no just title,
and which can only be prosecuted for a
purpose that is inconsistent with Ameri-
can institutions and with American ideas
Of freedom, equality and justice"
At the close of Mr.. Boutwell's address
vote of thanks was extended to him.
A set of resolutions was then offered by
Francis f. Abbott which affirmed the
political principles of the declaration OF
Independence, demanded justice to the
Filipinos whom we made our allies In
the war with Spain." and their indie
pendence, and denounced the war against
them as an act of treachery. The fifth
resolution stated that the punishment Of
our criminal aggression" against this
brave, betrayed and unfortunate people
is already evident In the ominous usurpa
tion of illegal powers by the President,
in the unjustitiable censorship of the
press, and in the threat of prosecution
for treason of an eminent and patriotic
citizen who was acting strictly within
his legal rights.
The last one WAS as follows:
"Resolved, that we protest against this
attempt to degrade the great republic in
to a great empire, to destroy it's mora
leadership of the world end to make II
succuiub to ideas and principles which
1t was born to oppose; and we solemnly
appeal to the conscience of the American
people to Illustrate 1t forever by returning
with ten-fold 10y atty to the Spirit o.
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