The Yale expositor., 1900-09-28

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Spain aud the United States On May ],
1898, Admiral Dewey destroyed the Spanish
feet in Manila Bay. ON May 10, 1898. Mai.
Gen. Merritt, T. - A., was placed In COM
mand OF the military expedition to Manila,
and directed among other things to immedi-
ately publish II 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 10 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 i'm its efforts to give effect 10 this
benefcent purpose will receive the reward
OF its support and protection"
Some Fortunes of War.
on July g. 1898 the Spanish fee. In az
tempting 10 escape from Santiago harbor
was destroyed by the American fleet and on
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, $685. upon the initiative
of Spain, hostIltics were suspended, and
protocol was signed with a view to arrane-
ing terms of peace between the two govern.
commissioners the following distinguished
citizens 60 conduct the negotiations on the
Ta'; Of TIC United States: Hon. William X.
Day of Ohio. Hon. William r. Frye OF
Minnesota, Hon. George Gray Of Delaware
and Hon. Whiteaw Reid of New York.
Forced Into Conf ct.
In addressing the peace commission before
Its departure for Paris, said
1T is my wish that throughout the nego.
tlations intrusied to the commission the pur-
pose and spirit with which the Uni ed States
accepted the unwecome necessity OF war
should be kept constantly in view. We
took up arms only in obedience to the die.
tates OF humanity ana the fulfilment Of high
public and neral obligations. We had no
design of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and no ambition
Of conquest
Through the long course OF repeated rep.
reservations which preceded and aimed To
avert the struggle and In the final arbtya-
ment of force this country was lmpeled sole
ly by the purpose of relieving grleyous
wrongs and removing long existing condi
tions which disturbed its tranquility, which
shocked the moral sense ~ mankind and
which could no longer be endured.
High Sense of puty.
at Is my 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 as scrupulous
and magnanlmous in the concluding settle.
ment 1t was just and humane in It's orig
inal action > Our aim IN the adjust
ment of peace should be directed To tasting
results and to the achievement Of the com.
mon good under the demands Of civilization
,bn
without any original Thought OF complete
or even partial acquisition the presence ana
success of our arms NJ Manila impose upon
us obligations which we cannot disregard.
The march of events rules and ovcrrucs
human action. Avowlng unreservediy the
purpose which has animated all our efforts,
and still solicitous to adhere 10 it. we can
not Ice unmlndful that without any desire
or design our pare 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 beginning, the Ruler of Nations has
plainly written the high command and
pledge Of civilization
shirked NO Responsibility.
On Oct 2s 1880, 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 motiy,S
which will exalt 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 SPANS authority is
permanently dcs, royed in every part of the
Philippines. To leave any part in her feeble
control now would increase our diificuties
and be opposed TO the interests OF human
ity.. Nor we permit Span TO
transfer any of the islands to another
power. Nor can we invite another power
or powers 10 join the United Sla.es in SOW
ereigaty ever them. We must either hold
them turn them back to Spain.
OaIy One Honorable Course.
Consequently, grave are the RESPONSE
bilites 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 oificulties
and more serious Observation-Disclosures
tive and international-would follow any
other course.
1.-The President has given to the views of
the commissioners the fullest consideration,
and In reaching the conclusion above
bounced, in the light of Information com
municatad to the commission and to the
President since your departure he has been
Influenced by the sing.e consideration Of
duty and humanity. The President is not
unmndful of the distressed financial condi-
ton OF Spain, aud whatever consideration
the United states may show must come
from it's sense OF generosity and henevol-
encc rather than from any real or technical
obligation"
Could Not Abandon Them.
Again. on Nov. L. instructed the com.
mission:
"From the standpoint Of indemnity, both
the archpeagOes Porto Rico and the Phil
ippnes) are insufficient TO pay our 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. could
go tcrt,if fhair Ia rfnr 10 cOfno ofhor na.vara