New-York tribune., 1900-10-25

denim the expedition under the command Of Gen
eral Merritt to strengthen Dewey in the distant
ocean and assist in our triumph over Spain, with
which nation we were at war? Was ii not our
highest duty to strike Spain at every vulnerable
point, that the war might be successfully con-
cluded at the earliest practicable moment?
And was it not duty to protect the lives
and property Of those who came within our con-
troll by the fortunes of war? Could we have
come away at any time between May 1, 1898,
and the conclusion Of peace without q stain
upon our good name?
Could we have come away without dshonor at
any time after the ratification of the peace
treaty by the Senate Of the United States?
There has been no time since the destruction
of the enemy's fleet when we could or should
have left the Philippine Archipelago. After the
treaty Of peace was ratified no power but Con-
gress could surrender our sovereignty or alien
ate foot of the territory thus acquired. The
Congress has not seen fit 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
it is the duty of the Executive. whoever he
may be, to uphold that sovereignty. and if it be
attacked to suppress its assaiIants. Would our
political adversaries do less?
1t has been asserted that there would have
been no lighting in the Philippines if Congress
had declared its purpose 10 give independence
10 the Tagal insurgents. The insurgents did not
wait for the action of Congress They assumed
the offensive, they opened fire on our Army.
Those who assert our responsibility for the be-
ginning Of the conflict have forgotten that before
the treaty ratified in the Senate and while
it was being debated in that body and while the
Bacon resolution was under discussion on Feb
ruary 4. 1899, the insurgents attacked the Amer
the American forces were under orders not to
fire upon them except il defence. The papers
found In the recently captured archives Of the
insurgents demonstrate that this attack had been
carefully planned for weeks before ii occurred
Their unprovoked assault upon our soldiers at
a time when the SenaTe celebrating upon
the treaty shows that no action our part
except surrender and abandonment would have
prevented the fighting, and leaves no doubt in
any fair mind Of where the responsibility rests
for the shedding of American blood.
With all the exaggerated phrase making of
this electoral contest we are in danger Of being
diverted from the real contention.
THE REAL SITUATION TO-DAY.
We are in agreement with all Of those who
supported the war with Spain, and also with
those who counselled the ratification OF the
treaty of peace Upon these two great essential
came all of our responsibilities. If others would
shirk the obligations imposed by the war and
the treaty we must decline TO act further with
them and here the issue was made. 1t is our
purpose to establish in the Philippines govern
ment suitable to the wants and conditions OF
the inhabitants and to prepare them for self
government and to give them self-government
when they are ready for it and as rapidly as
they are ready for it. That am aiming to d
under my constitutional authority, and will con-
tinue to do until Congress shall determine the
political status of the inhabitants of the archi-
pelago.
Are our opponents against the treaty? II so
they must be reminded that it could not have
been ratified in the Senate but for their assist
ance. The Senate which ratified the treaty and
the Congress which added its sanction by
large appropriation comprised Senators and
Representatives Of the people OF all parties.
Would our opponents surrender to the insur-
gents. aoandon our sovereignty cede 1t to
them? If that be not their purpose. then it
esult from the hopes raised by opponents
in the minds OF the Filipinos that with their
success at the polls in November there viii be a
withdrawal Of Army and Of American SOW
ereignty over the archipelago. the complete in
dependence Of the Tagalog people recognized and
the powers OF government over all the other
people Of the archipelago conferred upon the
Tagalog leaders.
The effect of a belief in the minds OF the in
surgents that this will be done has already pro-
longed the rebellion and increases the necessity