The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1900-09-21

On the 25th day of April, 1898, Congress
declared that a state Of war existed between
Spain and the United States. On May l,
1893, Admiral Dewey destroyed the Spanish
feet In Manila Bay. On May 10, 1898, Maj.
Gen. Merritt, U. s. A., was placed in COM
mand Of the military expedition to Manila
and directed among other things to immedi-
ately publish proclamation declaring that
we come not to make war upon the people
OF the Philippines nor upon any part or fac
ton 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 Its efforts to give effect to this
benefcent purpose will receive the reward
OF Its support and protection"
Some Fortunes of War.
! On July 8, 1898, the Spanish feet In at
tempting to escape from Santiago harbor
was destroyed by the American feet, and on
July II, 1893, the Spanish garrison in the
city of Santiago surrendered to the COM
mander of the American forces.
Following these brilliant victories, on the
10Th day Of August, 1898, upon the initiative
of Spain, hostilities were suspended, and
protocol was signed with view to arrang-
ing terms Of peace between the two govern
ments. In pursuance thereof appointed as
commissioners the following distinguished
others to conduct the negotiations Oh the
par: Of tho United States: Hon. William K.
Day Of Ohio. Hon. William P. Frye Of
Minnesota, Hon. George Gray Of Delaware
and Hon. Whitelaw Reid of New York.
Forced Into Conflict.
In addressing the peace commission before
its departure for Paris, said:
1T Is my wish that throughout the nego-
tiations intrusted to the commission the pur-
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 die
tates Of humanity and the fulfllment Of high
public and moral obligations. We had no
design Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and no ambition
of conquest
Through the long course Of repeated rep
Presentations which preceded and aimed to
avert the struggle and in the final arb!tra-
ment of force this country was impel!ed sole
ly by the purpose Of relieving grievous
wrongs and removing long existing condi-
lions which disturbed its tranquility. which
shocked the moral sense Of mankind and
which could no longer be endured.
High Sense of Duty.
ut is nay earnest wish that the United
States in making peace should follow the
same high rule of conduct which guided it
in facing war. 1t should be us scrupulous
and magnanimous in the concluding settle
ment as it was just and humane in Its orig
inal action. . . 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.
without any original thought Of complete
or even partial acquisition, the presence and
success Of our arms at Manila impose upon
US obligations which we cannot disregard.
The march Of events rules and overrulcs
human action. Ayowing unreservedy the
purpose which has animated all our efforts,
and still solcitous to adhere to 1t. we can
not be unmindful that without any desire;
or design on 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 Responsibility.
On Oct. 2S, 1890, while the peace commits
sion was continuing its negotiations in Paris,
the following additional instruction was
sent:
1T is imperative upon us that as victors
we should be governed only by motives
which will exalt our nation. Territorial ex-
pansion should be least concern; that.
we shall not shirk the moral Obligations of
our victory Is of the greatest.
1T is undisputed that SPANS authority is
permanently destroyed in every part of the
Philippines. To leave any part in her feeble
control now would increase our difficulties
and be 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 ever them. We must either hold
them or turn them back to Spain.
Only One Honorable Course
Consequently, grave as are the RESPONSE
bilities and unforeseen as are the difficult
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 ministra-
tive and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS follow any
; other course.
THE President has given to the views of
the commissioners the fullest consideration,
and in reaching the conclusion above an
n0nced, in the light Of information COM
inundated to the commission and to the
President since your departure, he has been
Influenced by the single consideration of
duty and humanity. The President is not
unmindful Of the distressed financial condi-
tion of Spain, and whatever consideration
the United States may show must come
from its sense OF generosity and benevol
ence rather than from any real or technical
obligation"
i Could Not Abandon Them.
Again, on Nov. ID. l instructed the com
mission:
From the standpoint of indemnity, both
the archipeagoes porto Rico and the Phil
ippnes) are insufficient to pay war ex
penses, but aside from this. do we not owe
an obligation to the people OF the Philip
pines which will not permit us to return
them to the sovereignty of Spain? Could we
justify ourselves in such course, or could
| we permit their barter to some other poweri
! Willingly or not we have the respousi.
bility Of duty which we cannot escape.
The President cannot believe any