The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1900-09-20
SIDENT N7'[IN[EY'S LETTER ACCEPTING TIL

On the o5th day of April. 1898, Congress-
declared that state of war existed between
Spain and the United States On May L,
1898. Admiral Dewey destroyed the Spanish
feet in Manila Bay On May 10. 1885, Mai
Gen Merritt, u s A, was placed in com
mand of the military expedition to Manila
and directed among other things to immedl-
ately publish proclamation declaring that
we come not to make upon the people
of the Philippines nor upon any part or fac
ton among them. but to protect them I'M
their homes in their empioyments, and In
their personal and religious rights All per-
sons who. either by active aid or by honest
submission cooperate with the United
States in its efforts to give effect to this
benefcent purpose will receive the reward
of its support and protection
Some Fortunes of War.
On July 3, 1S9S. the Spanish fleet in at
tempting to escape from Santiago harbori
was destroyed by the American heet. and on
July Il, 1898, the Spanish garrison in the
city of Santiago surrendered to the COM
mander of the American forces
Following these brilliant victories. the
18th day of August. 1898. upon the Initiatives
of SPAIN hostilities were suspended, and a
protocol was signed with n view to arrang-i
ing terms of peace between the govern-i
ments- In pursuance thereof 1 appointed as
commissioners the following distinguished
citizers to conduct the negotiations the
ra:: of the United States: Hon. William r.
Day of Ohio. Hon William 7. Frye of
Minnesota, Hon George Gray of Delaware
and Hon. Whitelaw Reid of New York
Forced Into Conflict.
In addressing the peace commission before3
its departure for Paris, said.
1T is my wish that throughout the mcgee
tiations intrusted to the commission the pur-
pose and spirit with which the United States |
accepted the unwe1come necessity of war
| should be kept constantly in view. Wei
took arms only in obedience the die
tates of humanity and the fulfillment of high
public and moral obligations We had no
design of ACKNOWLEDGMENT and no ambition
of conquest
Through the long of repeated rep,
reservations which preceded and aimed to
avert the struggle and in the final arbitra-
ment of force this country impelIed sole
ly by the purpose of relieving grievousi
wrongs and removing long existing condi-
tions which disturbed its tranquility, which
shocked the moral sense of ;aankind and
which could no longer be endured.
High Sense of 1,mty.
1T is my earnest "iS1s That @le United
States in making pea~e should follow the
same high rule of conduct W 1irh guided 1T
in facing 1t should be scrupulousi
and masnanimous in The concluding settle
ment as il was just au1 hu-2anc IN its orig
inal action Cur ain, n The adjust
of peace should % directed lasting
results and to the achievement of the COM
mon good under the demands Of civilization
rather than ambitious designs
Without any original thought of complete
or even partial acquisition. the presence ana
OF a Manila impose upon
us obligations which cannot disregard +
The march of events rules and overrulesi
human action Avowing urres"rvedly the |
purpose which has animated all efforts,
and still solicitous to adhere 10 Il, we can
not be unmindfui that without any desire
design par. the has brought
new duties and responsibilities which we
must meet and discharge becomes a great
nation on whose growth and career. from
the beginning. the Rn;er of Nations has
plainly written the high command and
pledge of civilization
Shirked No Responsibilities.
On Oct rs, 1890. while the peace commits
sion continuing its negotiations in Paris
the following additional instruction was
we should be governed only by motives
which will exait our nation. Territorial ex-i
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 Spafn-s authority is
permanently destroyed in every part of the
Philippines To leave any part IL her feebIei
control now would increase difficuItiesl
and be opposed to the interests of human
ity- Nor permit Spain to.
| transfer any of the islands to another
power Nor invite another power
| or powers to join the United States in SOW
ereignty them. we either hold
them turn them back to Spain
Only One Honorable Course.
Cons --quentIy. grave the RESPONSE
bilities and unforeseen The difficult
tSs which before us, the President can
see but plain path of duty, the accept
ance of the archipelago Greater difficulties
and more serious compiled administra-i
tive and inrernational-would follow any
THE President has given views of
the commissioners the fullest conSiderat ton,
and in reaching the conclusion above an
nounced, in the light of inforinatio COM
municatad to the commission the
President since your departure. he has been
Influenced by the single cousilera ton Of
duty and humanity The President is
unnlindfui of the distressed financial condi-i
o Spain. consideration
United states may show must come.
ence rather than from any o technical
Obligation
Could Not abandon Them.
Again, Nov 13. 1 instructed the COM,
mission:
From the standpoint of indemnity, both
the archipe1agoes porto Rico and the Phil
ippines) are insufficient to pay war ex-,
penses, but aside from this, we not owe
an obligation to the people Philip