Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-10

any time after the ratification of the peace
treaty by the Senate of the United States!
Could Not Have Eeft the Islands.
There has been no time since the destruc-
ton of the enemy's fleet when We could or
should have left tpe Philippine archipelago.
After the treaty of peace was ratified no
power but Congress could surrender our
sovereignty OF ahenate foot of the terri
tory thus acquired. The Congress has not
seen at to do the one or the other. and the
President had no authority to do either If
he had been so inclined which he was not.
So long as the sovereignty remains In us 1t
Is the duty Of tire executive, whoever he
may be, to uphold that sovereignty. and If
II De attacked to- suppress Its assaiiants.
Would our political adversaries do less?
1t has been asserted that there would
have been no fighting in the Philippines II
Congress had declared it's purpose to give
independence to the Tagal insurgents. The
insurgents did not walt for the action Of
Congress. They assumed the offensive, they
opened fire on our army.
FiItpfnOs Planned Attack.
Those who assert our responsibility for
the beginning of the conflict have forgotten
that before the treaty was ratified in the
Senate. and while It was being debated in
that body. and while the Bacon resolution
was under discussion on February 4, 1899,
after being previously advised that the
american forces were under orders not to
nre upon them except In defense. The
papers FOUND In the recently captured ar
cnNes or the insurgents demonstrate that
this attack had been carefully planned for
weeks before 1t occurred. Their unpro-
VoKed assault upon our soldiers at time
When the Senate was celebrating upon the
treaty shows that no action on our part ex-
cept surrender and abandonment would
have prevented the fighting. and leaves no
dount In any fair mind Of where the respon-
sibility rests for the shedding of American
blood.
Win all the exaggerated phrase-making
or TINS electoral contest we are in danger Of
pelng diverted from the real contention.
we are In agreement with all of those
who supported the war with Spain, and
also with those who counseled the ratifica-
ton OF the treaty of peace. Upon these two
great essential steps there can be no issue,
and out of these came all Of our RESPONSE
bilities. If others would shrk the obliga-
lions imposed by the war and the treaty
We must decline to act further with them,
and here the issue is made
Purpose of the Administration.
It Is our purpose to establish in the Phil
ipI'ines government suitable to the wants
and conditions of the inhabitants and to
prepare them for self government, and
to give them self-8overnment when
they are ready for it and as rapidly as they
are ready for 1t. That 1 am aiming to do
under my constitutional authority, and will
continue to do until Congress shall deter
mine the political status of the inhabitants
of the archipelago.
Arc our opponents against the treaty? II
SO. they must be reminded that it could
not have been ratified in the Senate but for
their assistance. The Senate which ratified
the treaty and the Congress which added
Its sanction by large appropriation COM
priSed senators and representatives OF the
people of all parties.
Would our opponents surrender to the
insurgents, abandon our sovereignty or
cede it to them? If that be not their pur-
pose, then 1t should be promptly disclaimed,
for only evil result from the hopes
raised by our opponents in the minds of the
Filipinos. that with their success at the
polls in November there will be a withdraw
al of our army and of American sovereign
ty over the archipelago; the complete in
dependence of the Tagalog people recog-
nized and the powers OF government over all
the other peoples Of the archipelago con-
ferrcd upon the Tagalog leaders.
The effect of belief in the minds of the
insurgents that this will be done has al
ready prolonged the rebellion and increases
the necessity for the continuance of a large
army. 1t is now delaying full peace IN the
archipelago and the establishment of civil
governments, and has Influenced many of
the insurgents against accepting the liberal
terms of amnesty offered by General Mac
Arthur under my direction. But for these
have been had in our military establishment
in the Philippines, and the realization OF
stable government would be already at
hand.
Demand OF the Democrats.
The American people are asked by our
opponents to yield the sovereignty OF the
United States in the Philippines to small
fraction of the population, single tribe
out of eighty or more inhabiting the archi-
pelago a faction which wantonly attacked
the American troops in Manila while In
rightful possession under the protocol with
Spain, awaiting the ratification OF the
treaty Of peace by the Senate, and which
has since been In active, open rebellion
against the United States. We are asked
to transfer our sovereignty to small mi
nority in the islands without consulting the
majority and to abandon the largest por-
ton OF the population. which has been
loyal to US to the crueltes Of the guerrilla
insurgent bands. More than this. we are
asked to protect this minority in establish
ing a government and to this end repress
all opposition Of the majority. We are re-
quired to set up stable government in the
interest of those who have assailed our
sovereignty and fired upon our soldiers. and
then maintain 1t at any cost or sacrifice
against It's enemies within and against
those having ambitious designs from with
out.
Larger Force Would He Needed.
This would require an army and navy far
larger than is now maintained in the Phil
ippines, and still more in excess of what
will be necessary with the full recognition
of our sovereignty. A military support of
authority not our own as thus proposed Is
the very essence Of militarism, which our
opponents In their platform oppose but
which by their policy would of necessity
be established In its most offensive form.
Murderers of Our Soldiers.
The American people will not make the
murderers of our soldiers the agents Of the
republic to convey the blessings of liberty
and order to the Philippines. They will not
make them the builders of the new COM
monwealth. Such course would be a be-
trayal of our sacred obligations to the
peaceful Filipinos. and would place at the
mercy Of dangerous adventures the lives
and property Of the natives and foreigners
1t would make possible and easy the COM
mission of such atrocities as were secretly
planned, to be executed on the I'D Of Feb
ruary, 1880. in the city Of Manila, when
only the vigilance of our army prevented
the attempt to assassinate our soldiers and
all and Di1laDa opd 3a..~o,, ~.