The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-03-09
AN ANSWER
' : I TO HoAR.
rresloent Sent the Philippine
Correspondence to Senate.
APPROVED PROCLAMATION OF OTIS
Aguinaldo's Representative, In the Cor
respondence Regarding Sick spanish
Prisoners, Protested Against What He
Termed suspiciousness of Americans,


1ent sent to the senate the correspond.
ence called for by a resolution of Sena.
tor Hoar, asking for information rela-
tive to our course in the Philippines. II
Is very voluminous record, containing
much that has already been made pub.
lie and includes instructions by the
president, proclamations by the Philip.
pine commission and General Otis re-
ports Of officers in the Philippines, all
communications received from Aguin.
aldo or his associates or proclar lations
issued by them, information concerning
the treatment of prisoners or other in.
habitants of the island by the insurgents
and also such information as has been
received "as to aid or encouragement
received by Aguinaldo and his follow.
ers from persons in the United States,
as to what pamphlets, speeches or other
documents emanating in the United
States and adverse to its authority and
its policy were circulated in whole or in
part among the Filipinos in arms
against the United States among other
inhabitants of the island, or among the
soldiers of the United States"
Referring to General Otis proclama.
ton, the president says:
"No disapproval of the said proclama-
ton was expressed by my authority or
that of the war department. 1t was, in
fact, approved by me, although no formal
communication to that effect was sent
to General Otis"
Included in the correspondence of
last October between General Mac Arthur
and Aguinaldo's representative, Gen.
eral Ambrose Flores, in regard to the
delivery of sick Spanish prisoners, is a
protest against what he terms the "sus-
piciousness" of the Americans. He says
the treatment awarded necessarily cor
responds with our political condition, 4"
adding that "in the name of soldierly
honor l protert against such suspicion,
as we have never resorted to indirect
means in order to wrest by artifice the
recognition Of our beloved independence
In this connection, cablegram from
General Corbin is given, dated Nov. 10,
endorsing General Otis course in the
matter of the Spanish prisoners. He
says;
1.-THE letters of the insurgents imply q
threat. Unless you see strong reasons
to the contrary, notify Aguinaldo that
he and his advisers will be held person
ally responsible for any Injury done to
Spanish or American prisoners in viola
ton of the laws and usages of war
among civilized nations"
The instructions to General Merritt
are transmitted, but not those to Cen
eral Otis, which, the report says, were
given in cipher. The instructions from
the president to General Merritt May
28, 1898, direct the issuance of procla-
nation saying that 1--WE came not to
make war upon the people of the Philip.
pines, nor upon any party or faction
among them, but to protect them in
their homes. i'll their employments and
in their personal and religious rights.
All persons who either by active aid or
by honest admission cooperate with the
United States in it's efforts TO give effect
to this beneticent purpose will receive
the reward Of its support and protec-
ton. Our occupation should be as free
from severity as possible"
The presidents instructions to the
Philippine commission of Jan. 20, 1899,
are given in full. The president wrote:
1.-The commission may render valu-
| able services by examining with special
care the legislative needs of lhe various
groups OF inhabitants and by reporting
with recommendations, the measures
which should be instituted for the main
tenance OF order, peace and public wei.
fare.
"It is my desire that in all their rela-
tons with the inhabitants of the Philip
pine islands, the commissioners exercise
due respect for all the ideals, customs
and institutions of the tribes and races
which compose the population, empha-
sizing upon all occasions the Just and
beneticent intentions of the government
Of the United States. 1t is also my wish
and expectation that the commissioners
may be received in a manner due to the
honored and authorized Representatives
| OF the American republic duly commits
stoned on account of their knowledge,
skill! and integrity as bearers of the good
will, the protection and the richest bless
ings OF liberating rather than a con.
quering nation"
The record shows that ON the 4th of
May, 1899, President Schurman, of the
commission, notified Secretary Hay of q
cessation of hositilities in order to get a
vote from the insurgent congress in favor
of autonomy, to which Secretary Hay
replied as follows:
"You are authorized to propose that
under the military power of the presi.
dent, pending the action of congress.
government of the PHILIPPINES shall con.
sist of governor general appointed by
the president; cabinet appointed by
the governor general, a general advisory
| council elected by the people, the quail.
fications of the electors to be carefully
considered and determined and the gov.
ernor general to have an absolute veto
RIlMOREn FEAR OE NA0IIc