The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1900-09-28

Snain and the United States. On May l,
1885, Admiral Dewey destroyed the spanish
fleet in Manila Bay. On May H. lSSo' MAJ.
Gen Merritt, T. S. A, was placed IN COM
mand of the military expedition to Mania
and directed among other things TO lmneui-
ately publish proclamation declaring 'na'
we come not to make war upon the people
of the Philippines nor upon any part or lac-
tion among them, but to protect them III
their homes, in their employments, ana 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
benehcent purpose will receive the reward
Of its support and protection"
Some Fortunes of War.
On July 3. 1898, the Spanish fleet In at
tempting to escape from Santiago naroor
was destroyed by the American fleet, ana on
July II, 1898, the Spanish garrison IN the
city Of Santiago surrendered to the COM
mander Of the American forces.
Following these brilliant victories, on the
18th day of August. 1898, upon the Initiative
of Spain, hostiIities were suspended, and
protocol was signed with a view to arrang-
ing terms of peace between the two govern
ments. In pursuance thereof appointed as
commissioners the following distinguished
citizers TO conduct the negotiations on the
ra,; Of the United States: Hon. William r.
Day of Ohio. Hon. William P. Frye or
Minnesota, Hon. George Gray Of Delaware
and Hon. Whitelaw Reid of New York.
Forced Into Conflict.
In addressing the peace commission before
its departure for Paris, / said:
ut is my wish that throughout the nego-
tiations ntrusted TO the commission the pur-
pose and spirit with which the United States
accepted the unwelcome necessity Of war
should be kept constantly in view. We
took up arms only In obedience to Che die
tates of humanity and the fulfllmeRt Of high
public and moral obligations. We bad no
design of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and no ambition
of conquest.
Through the long course of repeated rep
reservations which preceded and aimed to
avert the struggle and in the final arbitra-
ment Of force this country was lmpel.eG sole
Iy by the purpose of relieving grlevous
wrongs and removing long existing condi-
lions which disturbed its tranquility. which
shocked the moral sense OF mankind aud
which could no longer be endured.
High Sense of Dnty.
at Is my earnest wish that the United
States In making peace should follow the
same high rule of conduct which guided it
In facing war. 1t should be as scrupulous {
and magnanimous in the concluding settle
ment as 1t was just and humane in its orig
nal action. Our aim in the adjust
ment Of peace should be directed 10 lasting
results and to the achievement Of the com
mon good under the demands Of civilization
rather than to ambitious designs.
Without any original thought OF complete
)r even partial acquisition. the presence and
success of our arms at Manila impose upon
is obligations which we cannot disregard.
rhe march of events rules and oyerrules
human action. Avowing unreservediy the
purpose which has animated all our efforts.
ind still solicitous to adhere to it. we can
lot be unmlndful that without any desire
,r design on our part the war has brought
is new duties and responsibilities which we
must meet and discharge as becomes a great
latiou on whose growth and career from
he beginning, the Ruler OF Nations has
plainly written the high command and
pledge of civilization
Shirked No Respon sibi1ity.
On Oct. %, 1890. while the peace commits
ion was continuing its negotiations in Paris.
he following additional Instruction was
ent:
1T Is Imperative upon us that as victors
We should be governed only by motives
which will exalt our nation. Territorial ex-
'anslon should be our least concern; that
We shall not shirk the moral Obligations Of
ur victory is of the greatest.
1T is undlsputed that SPANS authority 10
destroyed In every part of the
philippines. TO leave any part in her feeble
ontrol now would increase our difficulties
nd be opposed to the interests of human
ty. Nor can we permit Spain TO
ransfer any of the islands to another
over Nor can we invite another power
regnty ever them. We must either hold
hem or turn them back to Spain
Only One Honorable Course.
Consequently, grave as are the RESPONSE
ilities and Unforeseen as are the difficult
les which are before us, the President can
ee but one plain path of duty, the accept
nee of the archipelago. Greater difficulties
nd more serious complications-admins
We and international-would follow any
Their course.
The President has given to the views Of
lie commissioners the fullest consideration.
nd in reaching the conclusion above an
ounced, in the light of information COM
unicated to the commission and to the
resident since your departure, he has been
huenced by the single consideration Of
lty and humanity The President is not
mindful Of the distressed financial conci-
on OF Spain, and whatever consideration
lie United States may show must come
ON Its sense of generosity and beneyol-
ice rather than from any real or technical
1ligation."
Could Not Abandon Them.
Again, on Nov. H. | instructed the COM
ission:
From the standpoint of indemnity, both
e archipeagoes porto Rico and the Phil
pines) are insufficient to pay our war ex-
,nSes, but aside from this, do we not owe
obligation to the people OF the Philip
nes which will not permit us to return
EN- to the sovereignty of Spain? Could we
stify ourselves in such course, or could
e permit their barter to some other power?
Willingly or not, we have the RESPONSE
lily Of duty which we cannot escape.