Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1899-12-14

declare that we came not to make war upon 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 to the para
mount authority there, on the 18th of August,
| it was directed that there must be joint oc-
cupation with the insurgents that the United
States must preserve the peace and protect per-
sons and property within the territory occupied
i by their military and naval forceS that the in
surgents 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 urged to restore
peace and tranquility and to undertake the
establishment of a benefcent government,
which should afford the fullest security for life
and property.
On the 2ist of December after the treaty was
signed. the commander OF the forces of occupa-
ton was instructed Ito announce and proclaim
in the most public manner that we come not as
invaders and conquerors, but friends to pro-
tect the natives in their homes, in their employ
ments and in their personal and religious
rights"
| The same day, while ordering Gen Otis to see
that the peace should be preserved in noilo he
was admoniShed that: 1T is most important
that there should be conflict with the inSur-
gents. On the first day of January, 1909, your
general orders were reiterated that the kindly
intentions of this government should be in
| every possible way communicated to the insur-
| gents
| tentionS of dispatching to Manila commission
composed of three gentlemen of the highest
| character and distinction, thoroughly acquaint-
| ed with the orient, who in association with Ad-
miral Dewey and Mai. Gen. OTIS were instruct
ed to facilitate 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 Schur-
man, president of Cornell University; Hon.
! Charles DENLY, for many years minister to
China, and Prof. Dean c. Worcester, OF the Uni
versity of Michigan, who had made most care
| full study of life in the Philippines. While the
| treaty OF peace was under consideration in the
| senate these committees set out their mis-
| sion of good will and liberation. Their char
| acter was sufficient guaranty of the benefcent
| purpose with which they went, even if they had
not borne the positive instructions of this gov
eminent, which made their errand pref eminent
| ~ one of peace and friendship.
But before their arrival at Manila the sinis-
ter ambition Of few leaders of the Fllipinos
| had created a situation full of embarraSsments
for US and most grieVous in its consequences to
| themselves The clear and impartial prelimi-
nary report of the commissioners, which trans
nit herewith, gives so lucid and comprehensive
| a history of the present insurrectionary move
ment that the story need not be repeated. It is
| enough to say that the claim of the rebel leader
that he was promised independence by any Of
f1cer OF the United States in return for his
S1Stance has no foundation in fact and is cate
| gorically denied by the very witnesses who were
called to prove it, The most the insurgent lead
er hoped for when he came back to Manila
| the liberation of the islands from the Spanish
control, which they had been laboring for years
| without success to throw OF.
! 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 intentions with which he had taken up
arms No sooner had our army captured Ma
Mia than the Filipino forces began to assume
|
utmost efforts of our officers and troops were
unable to diSarm modify. Their kindness
and forbearance were taken proof OF cow
ardice. The expressions Of the Filipinos con-
tinually increased until finally, just before the
time set for the senate of the United States for
| a vote upon the treaty, attack evidently
prepared in advance, was made all along the
American lines, Which resulted in a terribly de-
| structive and sanguinary repHlse of the insur-
gents.
| Ten days later an order of the insurgent gov
eminent was issued to its adherents who had
remained in Manila, of which Gen. Otis justly
| observes that for barbarous intent it is I'M
! equaled in modern tirneS'' It directs that at
| eight O'Clock on the night OF the 4th of Febru-
airy the territorial militia shall come together
| in the streets of San Pedro, armed with their
/ bO1oS, with guns and ammunition, where con-
venient; that Filipino families only shall be re-
spected but that all other individuals, of what
ever race they may be- shall be exterminssted
without any compassion, after the extermina-
/ ton of the army of occupation and adds:
| "brOGl6rS, must aYSng6 ourselves the
Americans and exterminate them, that may
take our revenge for the infamieS and treach-
cries which they have committed upon US.
Have no compassion upon them; attack with
vigor.''
copy of this fell, by good fortune, into the
| hands of officers and they were able to take
measures to control the rising, which was actu-
ally attempted on the night OF February %,
| a week later than was originally contem-
| plated. Considerable number OF armed insur-
| gents entered the city by waterways and
| swamps and in concert with confederates inside
| attempted to destroy Manila by fire They
were kept in check during the night and the
next day driven out of the city with heavy loss.
This was the unhappy condition OF affairs
which confronted our commissioners their
arrival in Manila. They had come with the
hope and intention of cooperating with Ad-
| miraI Dewey and Maj. Gen Otis in establishing
peace and order in the archipelago and the
| largest measure of self-government compatible
| with the true welfare of the people. What they
actually found can best be set forth in their own
| words:
'sDeplorab1e as war is the one in which we
are now engaged was unavoidable by US. We
were attacked by bold adventurous and en-
thusiastic army. No alternative was left to US,
except ignominouS retreat.
| 1T is not to be conceived of that any Ameri-
can would have sanctioned the surrender OF
Manila to the insurgents. Our obligations to
other nations and to the friendly Filipinos and
| to ourselves and our flag demanded that force
should be met by force. Whatever the future
| of the Philippines may be, there is course
open. to now except to prosecute the un-
til the insurgents reduced to submission.
The commission is OF the opinion that there has
been no time since the destruction Of the Span
ish squadron by Admiral Dewey when it was
possible to Withdraw forces from the is
| lands either with honor to ourselves or safety
| to the inhabitants
The course thus clearly indicated has been
i unfiinchingly pursued. The rebellion must be
! put down Civil government cannot be thor
ough1y established until order is restored. With
a devotion and gallantry worthy Of its most
brilliant history. the army ably and Loyalty as
sisted by the navy. has carried on this unwel-
come but most righteous campaign, with richly
deserved success The noble self-sacrifce with