The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-12-06
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
President Reviews Their Acquisition aud
subsequent D~infcuitiss.

On the 10th O, December, 1893. tho
treaty Of peace between the United States
and spain was signed. 1t provided among
other things, hat 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
s20,vn,V0. and that the civil rights and
population of the native inhabitants OF
the territories thus ceded to the United
states should be determined by the con-
grcss. The treaty WAS ratified by the sem
ate on the 9Th Of February. 1899, and by
the government of Spain on the 18th Of
March following. The r~atifications were
exchanged on the 18th OF April and the
treaty publicly proclaimed. On the I'd Of
March. the congress voted the sum con
,cmplated by the treaty, and the amount
was paid over to the Spanish government
on the LIST of May.
Not Invaders or Conquerora.
On the 2lst Of December after the treaty
was signed the commander OF the forces
Of occupation was instructed ITO an
nounce and proclaim in the most public
manner that we come not as invaders and
conqucrors hut as friends to protect the
natives in their homes, in their employ.
ments and in their personal and ~religions
rights On the same day while order.
ing Gen. Otis to see that the peace should
be preserved In Iloio he was admonished
that: 1t is most important that there
should he no conflict with the insur.
gents" On the l>t day Of Jaduary, 1899.
urgent orders We're reiterated that the
kindly instructions Of this government
nhn,1v -, ny,p, ,xn..tbl, ..- 4
municated to the insurgents.
On the 2lst Of January ! announced nv
intention Of dispatching to Manila u ON.
mission composed of three gentlemen OF
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 effec.
tive extension Of authority throughout
the islands and to secure with the least
possible delay, the benefits Of n wise and
generous protection Of life and property
to the Inhabitants"
Ambition Created . Situation.
The character Of the gentlemen co,npos.
Ing this commission was sufficient uunr.
anty Of the benefccnt purpose for which
they were sent, even II they had not borne
the positive instructions Of this govern
ment which made their erra6d prs.
eminently n Of peace and friendshtn.
But before their arrival at Manila the
sinister ambition Of a few leaders Of Tho
PHILIPPINES had created q situation full al
embarrassment for US and most sgricvoua
In Its consequences to themselves. The
clear and impartial preliminary report ol
the commissioners which l transmit
herewith. gives 80 lucid and comprehen.
sive a history Of the present insurrection
AIRY movement that the story need moi
be here repeated. 1t Is enough to nav
that the claim Of the rebel leader that he
was promised independence by any officer
Of the United States In return for his AZ.
sistance, has no foundation in fact. and
IL categorically denied by the very wit.
posses who were called to prove It. The
most the insurgent len Ter hoped FOR when
he came back to Manila was the liner.
alton Of the islands from the Spanish
control, which they had been laborino for
years without success to throw of.
The prompt accomplishment Of th,.
work BY the American army and navv
tAvs him other ideas and ambitions M
insidi0us suggestions from various onar.
ters perverted the purposes and iutention1
with which he had taken up am. ~