The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-11

any. part in her feeble control now would
increase 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
invite another power, or powers to JOIN
the United States in sovereignty over
lhem. We must either hold them OF
turn them back to Spain.
Consequently, grave as are the re-
sponsibilities and unforeseen as are the
difficulties which are before us, the
President can see but one plain pain
of duty, the acceptance of the Archipela-
go. Greater difficulties and more serl-
Gus Ds-administrative ana IN
ternational-would follow any other course.
The President has given to the views OF
the Commissioners the fullest considera-
ton, and in reaching the conclusion
above announced in the light of informa-
ton communicated to the Commission
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
distressed financial condition of Spain,
and whatever consideration the United
States may show must come from It's
sense of generosity and benevoience,
rather than from any real or technical
obligation"
Again, on November 18th, 1 instructed
the Commission:
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 an obligation to the peo-
pie Of the Philippines which will not per-
nit 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 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 appropriate answer but the one
he has here marked OUT 81
THE TREATY. OF PEACE.
The treaty of peace was concluded on
| December 10, 1898. BY it's terms the
archipeIago. known as the Philippine
Islands. was coded by Spain to the Uni
ted States. 1t was also provided that
1.-The civil rights and political status OF
the native inhabitants of the territories
hereby ceded to the United States shall
be determined by the Congress" Eleven
days thereafter, on December 21st, the
following direction was given to the COM
mander of our force, in the Philippines:
- The military commander OF
| the United States is enjoined to make
| known to the inhabitants of the Phlllp-
| pine Islands that in succeeding TO the
| sovereignty of Spain, in severing the Tor
| mer political relations Of the inhabitants
and in establishing new political power
| the authority of the United States is to
! be exerted for the securing of the per-
| sons 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 occupation to announce and
proclaim in the most public manner that
we come not as invaders or conquerers.
but as friends, to protect the natives in
! their homes, in their employments, and
| in their personal and religious rights.
A SECOND COMMISSION.
In order to facilitate the most humane,
| pacific and effective extension of author
| ity throughout these islands, and to Sc
| cure, with the least possible delay, the
| benefits of wise and generous protec-
| ton of life and property to the inhabl-
1 tants. | appointed in January, 1899, a
| Commission consisting of Hon. Jacob
| Gould Schurman, of New York; Admiral
| George Dewey, U. S. N; Hon. Charles
] DENLY, of Indiana; Prof Dean e. Wor-
cester, of Michigan, and Maj. Gen. FL
we'll S. Otis, U. S. A. Their instructions
| contained the following;
I'm the performance of this duty the
| Commissioners are enjoined to meet at
| the earliest possible day in the city OF
Manila and to announce by public proc
lamation, their presence and the mission
/ Entrusted to them, carefully setting forth
| that, while the military government al
| ready proclaimed is to be maintained
| and continued so long as necessity may
require, efforts will be made to alleviate
the burden of taxation, to establish in
| dustrial and commercial prosperity, and
to provide for the safety of persons and
/ of property by such means as may be
/ found conducive to these ends.
1 1.-THE Commissioners will endeavor,
|
| authorities of the United States now IN
| control of the Philippines, to ascertain
| what amelioration in the condition Of the
inhabitants and what improvements In
Public order may be practicable, and for
| this purpose they will study attentively
| the existing social and political state OF
| the various populations, particularly as
/ regards the forms of local government
| the administration of justice, the collec-
ton of customs and other taxes, the
| means of transportation, and the need OF
| public improvements, They will report
the results Of their observations
and reflections and will recommend such
| executive action as may from time TO
time seem to them wise and useful.
'eThe Commissioners are hereby auT
| thorized to confer authoritatively with
| any persons resident in the islands
from whom they may believe themselves
able to derive information or suggestions
valuable for the purposes Of their COM
mission, or whom they may choose to
employ as agents, as may be necessary
/ for this purpose.
at is my desire that in all their rela-
tions with the inhabitants Of the islands
| the Commissioners exercise due respect
kG~ar