The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-10
PHILIPPINE QUESTION.
Declares His "Plain Dnty" the Ac-
ceptance of the Archipelago.

For the sake of full and intelligent I'M
Outstanding OF the Philippine question and
to give to the people authentic informa-
ton of the acts and the aim of the adj
ministration present at some length the
events of Importance leading up to the
present situation The purposes of the ex-
ecutive are best revealed and can best be
Judged by what he has done and is doing.
1t will be seen that the power of the gov
eminent has been used for the liberty, the
peoples, and that force has been employed
only against force which stood in the way
WAR WITH SPAIN.
On the 18th day of April. 1898, congress
declared that a state OF war existed be
May 1, 1898. Admiral Dewey destroyed the
Spanish fleet in Manila bay. On May IS,
1873, MAJOR General Merritt, y. 5. A, was
placed in command of the military expe-
dition to Manila and directed among other
nation declaring that we come not to
make war upon the people of the Philip
pines nor upon any part or faction among
them. but to protect them in their homes
sonaI and religious rights All persons
who, either by active aid or by honest
submission, cooperate with the United
States in its efforts to give effect to this
benehcent purpose will receive the re-
ward of its support and protection"
On July g. 1898 the Spanish fleet in at
was destroyed by the American feet and
on July II, 1888. the Spanish garrison in
commander of the American forces.
ARRANGES TERMS OF PEACE.
the 18th Of August 1888. upon the initia-
tive of Spain hoStilities were suspended
and a protocol was signed with a view to
arranging terms of peace between the two
governments In pursuance thereof I ap-
pointed as commissioners the following
distinguished citizens to conduct the ne
Eotiatons on the part of the United
States. William Day, of Ohio William P.
Frye, of Maine: Cushman K Davis of
V. Z
Whitelaw Reid, of New York. In address,
ing the peace commission before Its de-
parture for Paris / said:
NO AMBITION OF CONQUEST
It Is my wish that throughout the ne
gotiauonS entrusted to the commission
the purpose and spirit with which the
United states accepted the unwelcome ne
cessity Of war should be kept constantly
in view. We took up arms only in obed-
fence to the dictates of humanity and in
the fulhliment of high public and moral
obligations We had no design of aggran-
dizement and no ambition OF CONQUEST
RESERVATIONS whieh preceded ana aimed dep 20
avert the struggle and in the final abitra-
solely by the purpose of relieving griev-
Gus wrong and removing long existing
conditions which disturbed the TRANQUIL
lily, which shocked the moral sense of
mankind and which could no longer be
endured.
1T is my earnest wish that the United
States, In making peace. should follow the
same high rule of conduct which guided
lous and magnanimous in the concluding
settlement as it was just and humane in
Our. aim in the adjustment of peace
should be directed to lasting results and
to the achievement OF the common good
under the demands of civilization rather
than to ambitious designs
AZ COMES WITHOUT DESIGN
Without any original thought of COM
plete or even partial acquisition, the pres
ence and success of our arms at Manila
imposes upon US obligations which we can
not disregard The march of events rules
and overruleS human action. Allowing
unreservedly the purpose which has ami
mated all our effort and still solicitous to
adhere to II, we can not be unTnindful that
without any desire or design on our mart
the war has brought US new duties and
responsibilities which we must meet and
discharge as becomes a great nation on
whose growth and career from the begin
ming the ruler of nations has plainly writ
ten the high command and pledge of civ
nization."
On October Is. 1888. while the peace com