The Portland daily press., 1900-09-10

ly In view. We took up arms only IN
obedience to the dictates of humanity
and In the fulfillment of high public and
moral obligations. We had no design of
aggrandizement and no ambition of cOn-
quest Through the long course of re-
peated representations which proceeded
and aimed to avert the struggle and in the
final arbitrament OF force this country
was impelled solely by the purpose OF
relieving gr1eYOus wrongs and removing
long existing conditions which disturbed
It's tranquility, which shocked the moral
sense of mankind and which could no
longer be endured.
"It is my earnest W 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 magnanimous In
the concluding settlement as 1t was just
and humane In It's original action.
"Our aim is 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.
without any original thought of COM
plete or even partial acquisition, the pres
ence and SUCCESS or our arms in Manila
imposes upon us obligations which we
cannot disregard The march of events
rules and oVerrules human action. AVow-
ing unreservedly the purpose which has
animated all our effort, and still solicit
ious to adhere to it, we cannot be un-
mindful chat without any desire or de-
sign on our part the war has brought us
new duties and responsibilities which we
must meet and discharge as becomes q
great nation on whose growth and career
from the beginning the Ruler OF Nations
has plainly written the high command
and Dl9Qwe of civilization -
On October Is, 1858 while the Peace
Commission was continuing its negOtia-
lions in Paris, the following additional
instruction was sent
" 1t is imperative upon us that as VIC
tors we should be governed only by mo-
tives which viii aXalt our nation, merri-
tOrial expansion should be our least con-
Germ that we shall not shirk the IN oral
obligations of our victory is of the great
est. 1t is undisputed that Spain al
thority is permanently destroyed in every
part OF the Philippines 10 leave any
part in her feeble control now would in
crease our difficulties and be opposed to
the interests OF humanity. Nor can
we permit Spain TO transfer any OF the
Islands to another power. Nor can we in
vIte another power or powers to join the
United States in sovereignty over them.
We must either hold them, or turn them
back to Spain.
'4Consequently, grave as ara the re-
sponsibilities and unforeseen as are the
difficulties which are before US, the
President can see but one plain path of
duty, the acceptance of the Archipelago.
Greater difficulties and more serious
ons-adm1nistrative and inter
natiOnal-would FOLLOW any other course.
The President has given to the views OF
the Commissioners the fullest cOnsidera-
tiOn, ana in reaching the conclusion
above announced in the light OF infOrma-
rod n fn ion
and to the President since your depart
ure, he has been Influenced by the single
consideration OF duty and humanity. The
President is not unmindful of the dis
tressed financial condition of Spain, and
whatever consideration the United States
may show must come from It's sense of
generosity and benevolence, rather than
IrOm any real or technical obligation"
Again, on November 18th, instructed
the Commission:
From the standpoint of indemnity
both the archipelagoes (POrto Rico and
the Phllipplnes) are insufficient to pay
our war expenses, but aside from This
do we not owe any obligation to the peO
pie OF the Philippines which VIII not
permit us to return them to the sovereign
ty Of Spain. Could we justify ourselves
in such a course or could we permit their
barter to some other pOwerY Willing or
not we have the responsibility of duty
which we cannot escape The
President cannot believe any division OF
the archipelago can bring us anything
but embarrassment in the future. The
trade and commercial side, as we'll as the
indemnity for the cost of the war. are
questions we might yield, They might
be waived or compromised, but the
questions of duty and humanity appeal
to the President so strongly that he can
find no ap pirate answer but the one
he has here marked out
IL. u. 4
December TO- 1899 BY its terms the arch
ipelago, known as the Philippine IS
lands, was ceded by Spain to the United
States. lB was also provided that the
civil rights and political status of the
native inhabitants of the territories here
by ceded TO the United States shall be-
determined by the Congress. Eleven
days thereafter, on December 81 st, the
following direction was given to the
commander OF our forces in the Philip.
pines;
$50 The military commander OF
the United States Is eDjoined to make
known to the Inhabitants of the Philip.
pine Island that in succeeding to the
sovereignty of Spain, in severing the
FORMER POLITICAL RELATIONS
of the inhabitants and in establishing a
nsw political power, the authority Of the
United States is to be exerted for the So.
curing OF the perens and property OF the
people of the islands and for the conflr
mation of all their private rights and
latiOns. il will be the duty Of the COM
mander OF the forces of occupation to an
nounce and proclaim in the most publ,
manner that we come not as invaders or
conquerOrB, but as friends, to protect the
natives In their homes, in their employ
ments, and in their personal and relig.
ious rights.
In order to facilitate the most humane
pacific ana effective extension of authori
ty throughout these Islands, and to Sc
cure, with the least possible delay, tn,
benefits Of a wise and generous protection
Of life and property to the inhabitants,
appointed IN January, 1899, a commission
consisting OF Hon. jacob Gould Schur-
man OF New York, Admiral George Dew
ey, u. 5. N, Hon. Charles DENLY of In.
diana, Prof. Dean Q. Worcester of NIichi
gan, and Maj jor- General ElWelI s. Otis