New-York tribune., 1900-09-10

! has animated all our effort, and still sollcitous
to adhere to Il, we cannot be unmindful that
! without any desire design on our part the
war has brought us new duties END response
! blties which must meet and discharge as
/ becomes great nation whose growth and
career from the beginning the Ruler of Nations
| has plainly written the high command and
/ pledge of civilization
WORK OF PEACE COMMISSION.
On October rs. 1893, while the Peace Com
mission was continuing It's negotiations in
Paris. the following additional instruction was
sent:
1t is imperative upon US that as vctors we
| should be governed only by motives which will
| cxalt our Nation. Territorial expansion should
/ be our least concern; that we shall not shirk
| the moral obligations OF our victory is or the
! greatest. It is undisputed that Spain's author
/ ity is permanently destroyed in every part of
! the Philippines To leave any part in her feeble
! control now would increase difficulties and
| be opposed to the interests of humanity
! Nor permit Spain to transfer any of the
| islands TO another Power; nor can we invite an
other Power or Powers TO join the United states
| in sovereignty over them. We must either hold
them or turn them back to Spain.
Consequently, grave as are the responsibilities
and unforeseen as are the difficulties which are
| before us, the President see but one plain
path OF duty-the acceptance of the archipelago.
Greater difficulties and more serious complica-
tions, administrative and international, would
| follow any other course. The President has
given to the views of the Commissioners the
fullest consideration, and in reaching the con-
clusion above announced In the light of infor-
NATION comm uniCateu TO tne commission ana TO
the President since your departure. he has been
influenced by the single consideration OF duty
and humanity The President is not unmindful
OF the distressed financial condition of Spain,
and whatever consideration the United States
may show must come from its sense of generos-
ity and beneEolence. rather than from any real
or technical obligation.
Again on November Is I instructed the Com
mission:
From the standpoint of indemnity both the
archipelagoes porto Rico and the Philippines)
are insufficient to pay our war expenses but
aside from this, do we not owe obligation TO
the people of the Philippines which will not
permit US TO return them TO the sovereignty of
Spain? Could we justify ourselves in such a
course, or could we permit their barter to some
other Power? Willing not. have the
sponsibiIity Of duty which we cannot escape.
The President cannot believe any division
OF the archipelago 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. questions might
yield They might be waived or compromised,
but the questions of duty and humanity appeal
TO the President strongly that he can find no
appropriate answer but the he has here
marked out.
The Treaty OF Peace was concluded on De-
cember 10. 1898 BY it's terms the archipelago
known the Philippine Islands was ceded by
Spain to the United States. 1t was also pro-
vided that 'the civil rights and political status
Of the native inhabitants OF the territories here
by ceded to the United States shall be deter
mined by the Congress-" Eleven days there
after on December 81. the following direction
was given to the commander Of our forces in
the Philippines:
The military commander of the United
states is entoined to make known to the inhabi-
tants or the philippine Islands that in succeed
ing to the sovereignty of Spain, in severing the
former political relations OF the inhabitants and
IN establishing new political power, the au-
thorfty of the United States is to be exerted for
the securing Of the persons and property of the
people of the islands and for the confirmation Of
all their private rights and relations. 1t will be
the duty of the commander OF the forces Of oc-
cuPauon TO announce and proclaim in the most
pubic manner that we come not as invaders or
conquerors, but friends to protect the natives
IN IN thelr homes in their employments, and in
tneir personal and religious rights.
FHEt PHILIPPINE COMMISSION
In order to facilitate the most humane, pa
cifc and effective extension of authority
throughout these islands, and to secure with
the least possible delay the benefits of a wise
and generous protection OF life and property to
the Inhabitants, appointed in January 1899 a
Commission consisting OF the Hon Jacob Gould
Schurman, of New York; Admiral George Dewey
T. s. MI Lthe Hon. Charles DENLY, of Indiana:
Professor Dean c. Worcester Of Michigan. and
Major-General Elwen s. Otis. U. s. A. Their
instructions contained the following:
In the performance of this duty the Cononis
soners are enioined TO meet at the earliest nos
s1ble day in the city OF Manila and to anno,ince
by public proclamation their presence and the
forth that, while the military government
already proclaimed is TO be maintained and con-
tlnued so long as necessity may require, efforts
VIII be made to alleviate the burden of taxation
to establish industrial and commercial Dros-
perity and to provide for the safety Of persons
ana or property by such means may be found
conducive TO these ends.
The Commissioners will endeavor. without in
reference with the military authorities Of the
United states now in control of the Philippines
to ascertain what ameoration in the condition
or the inhabitants and what improvements IN
public order may be practicable and for this
purpose they will study attentivey the existing
social and political state OF the various popula-
tons, particularly regards the forms OF local
government. the administration or Justice the
collection of customs and other taxes the means
OF transportation and the need Of public inn
provements. They will report . the results
OF their observations and reflections and will
recommend such Executive action as NAV from
time to time seem TO them wise and useful
The Commissioners are hereby authorized to
confer authortattvey with any persons resident
IN the islands from whom they may believe
themselves able to derive inform tion or eng
gestons valuable for the purposes of their com
mission, or whom they may choose to employ as
agents, as may be necessary for this pur-
pose.
It Is my desire that In all their relations with
the inhabitants Of the islands the Cornmiss;on-
ers exercise due respect for all the ideals GUS
toms and institutions of the tribes which COM
pose the population, emphasizing upon all occa-
sions the just and benehcent intentions Of the
| Government of the United States 1t is also NV
wish and expectation that the Commissioners
may be received in manner due to the hon
ored and authorized representatives of the
American Republic, duly commissioned on ac-
count or their knowledge, skill and integrity as
bearers of the good will, the protection and the
richest blessings of a liberating rather than
conquering nation.
On February g, 1S99 the treaty was ratified
by the Senate of the United States, and the Con-
gress Immediately appropriated S20000OOO TO
carry out it's provisions. The ratifications were