The times., 1899-12-06
THE PHILIPPINES.
4 General Statement Of American
Policy.

General Statement Of American
Policy.
On the 10Th OF December lSgS the treaty
of peace between the United States and
Spain was signed Il provided among 9th
er 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
twenty millions of dollars. and that he
civil rights and political status OF the ua-
tive inhabitants OF the territories Jhus
ccded TO the United States should be de-
Jcrmined by the Congress. The treaty was
ratified By The Senate on the 9Th of Feb
ruary. 1859 and by the Government OF
Spain on the 1gth of March following. The
TdtiiCatiODs were exchanged on the II Ia OF
April and the treaty publicly proclaimed
On the "a OF March the Congress voted the
sum contemplated 10y he treaty, and the
amount was paid over to the Spanish Gov
ernment on the lst OF May.
In this manner The Philippines came to
the United States The islands were cedad
by the Government OF Spain. which had
been in uudlSputed possession OF them for
centuries fhey We're accepted not merely
by our authorized commissioners in Paris
under the direction of the Executive but
by the constitutional and we'll considered
action Of the representatives of the people
Of the United States in both houses of
Congress. I had every reason 10 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 WOueE; no oDportun-
fly Was lost of assuring the people OF tne
Islands OF our ardent desire for their wei
fare and of the intention OF this Govern
mcnt to do everything possible TO advance
their interests. i'm my OrJer Of tn 10Th Of
May. 1885. the commander of the military
expedition despatched TO the Philippines
was instructed TO declare that we came net
10 make war upon he people of that cour-
cry nor upon amy party or faction among
them, but to- protCc5 them in tncir homes.
I'm their employuenls. and iu their person
al and religious rights That there should
be no doubt as the paramount authority
there on the nth of August it was di-
rected that there must ba no joint occs-
patton with the insurgents" that the
United States must pre- rye the peace and
protect persons and property within the
territory occupied by their mi itary and
naval forces; that the insurgents and all
others must rocogUiz- The military Occu
patton and authority Of the UEItei States.
As early as December 5, before be cessiCH.
aud i'm anticipation OF jldt event. i9y com
mauGer in Manila was urgei to restore
peace and tranquility and TO undertake the
establishment OF beEeGrcnt government
which should afford Jhc fuLles- sea-riy
for life aad property
OTIS instructions.
on the 2Ist OF December, after The
treaty was signed. the commando of the
forces of occupation was instructed go.
announce and proclaim in the most p-biiJ
manner tnat we come. not as invaders and
lonquerors. but as friends to protect The
natives in their homes, in their employ
meuts. and in their personal and religious
rights" On the same day. while order
ing General Otis TO see that the peace
should be preserved in l.oi.o he was ad-
m0nished that: 1t is most important TIA.
there should be 10 conflict VITA the in
surgents" ON tha LIST day of January
1889 urgent orders were reiterated that
the kindly intentions of this Government
should be in every possible way cOmmuni
Gated 20 the insurgents,
On the 2lsJ of January | announced my