The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-09-21

On the 18th day Of April, 1885, Congress-
declared that state Of war existed between
Spain and the United States. On May l.,
1893, Admiral Dewey destroyed the Spanish.
fleet in Manila Bay. On May 10, 1898, Maj.
Gen. Merritt, U. 8. A., was placed in COM
mand of the military expedition. to Manila
and directed among other things to innmedi-
ately publish a proclamation declaring that
we come not to make war upon the people,
OF the Philippines nor upon any part or fac-
tion among them, but to protect them IN
their homes, in their employments, and IN
their personal and religious rights. All per-
sons who, either by active aid or by honest,
submission, cooperate with the United
States In it's efforts to give effect to this
benefcent purpose will receive the reward
OF Its support and protection"
Some Fortunes of War.
On July g. 1898, the Spanish feet In at
tempting to escape from Santiago harbor
was destroyed by the American fleet, and Oh
July II, 1898, the Spanish garrison in the
city OF Santiago surrendered to the COM
mander Of the American forces.
Following these brilliant victories, on the
18th day of August, 1893, upon the initiative
of Spain, hostilities were suspended, and Q
protocol was signed with view to arrang-
ing terms Of peace between the two govern.
ments. In pursuance thereof appointed az
commissioners the following distinguished
<ttizers to conduct the negotiations on the
Far: OF tho United States: Hon. William r.
Day OF Ohio. Hon. William p Frye OF
Minnesota, Hon. George Gray Of Delaware
and Hon. Whttelaw Reid of New York.
Forced Into Conflict.
I'm addressing the peace commissions before
lts departure for Paris, I said:
ut Is my wish that throughout the nege-
clatlons intrust cd to- the commission the par.
pose and spirit With which the United States
accepted the unwelcome necessity Of war
should be- kept constantly In view. We
took up arms only in obedience TO- the do
tates OF humanity and the fulfllment Of high
public and moral obligations. We had no
design of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and NO ambttloD
, OF conquest
Through the long course of repeated rep
reservations which preceded and aimed to
avert the struggle aud In the Anal arbitra-
ment Of force this country was impelled sole
ly by the purpose OF relieving grievou&
wrongs and removing long existing condi-
tions which disturbed, it's tranquility. which
shocked the moral sense OF mankind and
which. could no. longer be- endured
High Sense OF Duty.
lit is my earnest wish that the. United
States in making peace should follow the
same high rule OF conduct which guided it,
in facing var. 1t should. be as scrupulouA
and maSnanimous in the concluding settle
ment as it was just and humane in its orig
inal action. y Our aim, IN, the adjust
ment OF peace should be directed. to- lasting
results and to- the achievement Of the COM
mon good under the demands Of civilization
rather than to- ambitious designs. y
without any original thought OF complete
or even PARTIAL acquisition, the presence aud
success OF our arms at Manila impose upon
US obligations which We capnot disregard.
The march. OF events rules and oEerrulee
human action Avowing unreservedly tho
purpose which has animated all our efforts,
and still sol1citous to adhere to- it.. we
not be unmindful that without amy desire
or design Oh our part the war has brought
US new duties and responsibilities which We
must meet and discharge as becomes great
nation on whose growth and career. from
the beginning, the Ruler OF Nations, has
plainly written the high command, and
pledge OF civilization"
Shirked No. Responsibihtx.
- On, Oct. %, 1890, while the peace connie
sion was continuing its negotiations In Paris.
the following additional Instruction Was
sent:
1T is imperative upon US that as vietora
We should be governed only by motives
which will e1alt our nation Territorial ex-
pansion should be our least concern; that
We shall not shirk the moral obligations OF
our victory is OF the greatest.
1T is undisputed that Spain's authority 10
permanently destroyed in every part Of the
Philippines To- leave any part in her feeble
control now would increase QUIZ difficulties
and he opposed to the interests Of human
itY. Nor can we permit Spain to
transfer any OF the islands to- another
power. Nor can we invite another power
| or powers to- join the United States in SOW
ereignty over them. We must either hold
than or turn them back to Spain
Only One Honorable Course.
consequently, grave as are the RESPONSE
Utilities dAu Unforeseen As are the QlmCut.
| ties which are before US, the President can
see but one plain path Of duty, the accept
ance of the archipelago. Greater difficulties
and more serious complications-adminis
tive and international-would follow any
other course.
THE President has given to the views OF
the commissioners the fullest consideration,
and in reaching the conclusion above an
nounced, in the light Of information COM
municated to the commission and to tho
President since your departure he has been
Influenced by the single consideration IT
duty and humanity. The President Is not
unmindful Of the distressed financial condi-
| ton OF Spain, and whatever consideration
the United States may show must come
from it's sense Of generosity and benevol.
ence rather than from any real or technical
| obligation"
Could Not Abandon Them.
Again, on Nov. IL. Instructed the CON-
| mission:
From the standpoint of Indemnity, both
| the archipelagoes porto Rico and the Phil
| ippines) are insufficient to pay our war ex-
| penses, but aside from this, do we not owe