The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-10

1T is imperative upon US that as VIC
f tors we should I'D, be governed only By mo
| torial expansion should be our least con-
Germ; that we shall. not shirk the moral
est. 1t is undisputed that SPANS author
the desIT o ea1 IN every par par
In her feeble control now would increase
our dificulties and be opposed to the in
Nor can we permit Spain to transfer
any of the Islands to another power. Nor
join the United States In sovereignty over
them We must either hold them or turn
SPANISH PAYMENT A GENEROUS
| GIFT.
Consequently, grave as are the respon-
sibilities and Unforeseen as are the diffi-
culties which are before US, the president
ceptance of the archipelago. Greater dit
hcultieS and more serious complications
follow any other course The president
has given to the views of the commission
erS the fullest consideration and in reach
ing the conclusion above announced in the
lght OF information communicated to the
prssluent since your departure he has been
duty and humanity. The president is not
unmindful of the distressed financial con-
ton the United States may show must
come from its sense of generosity and be-
nevolence. rather than from any real or
technical obligation"
Again on November 10. instructed the
From the stand point of indemnity
both the archipelagoes porto Rico and
war expenses, but aside from this we do
not owe an obligation to the people of
the Philippines which viii permit us to
return them to the sovereignty of Spain !?
Could we justify ourselves in such a
some other power? Wiling or not we have
the responsibility. of duty which we can
NO DIVISION OF ARCHIPELAGO
The president can not believe any divi-
sion of the archipelago can bring us any
MT in no fr1frf
The trade and commercial side, as well
as the indemnity for the cost of the war.
are questions we might yield They might
be waived compromised. but the ques-
Ions OF outy anu humanity l appeal to the
appropriate answer but the one he has
here marked OUT
December 10, 1885, BY its terms the archi-
pelago known as the Philippine islands,
1t was also provided that ssthe civil rights
and political status of the native inhabi-
the United States shall be determined by
congress-"
Eleven days thereafter on December q,
the following direction was given to the
commander of our forces in the Philip
1.-THE military commander of the
United States is enjoined to make known
succeeoc-g to the sovereignty of Spain
that IN severing the former political rela-
tons of the Inhabitants and in establish
ing a new political power the authority
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 occupation to
announce and proclaim in the most public
manner that we come not as invaders
natives in their homes. in their employ
ments and in their personal and religious
THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
In order to facilitate the most humane,
ity throughout these Islands and to secure
wlth the Least possible delay the benefits
and property to the inhabitants appoint
ed in January, 1899, a commission consist
York: Admiral George Dewey, U. S. N,
Charles DENLY, of Indiana: Professor
Dean c. Worcester, of Michigan, and Ma
jor General ElweiI s. otis, U. s. A. Their
instructions contained the following:
In the performances Of this duty the
earliest possible day in the city of Manila
and and to announce by q public proclamation
to them, carefully setting forth that while
the EN-. military tar government already pro,
SO long as necessity may require. efforts
taxation to establish industrial and COM
mercial prosperity and to provide for the
SAFETY of persons and of property by such
1.-THE commissioners will endeavor with
out interference with the military authori-
ties of the United States now in control
of the Philippine to ascertain what amel-
and what improvements in public order
may be practicable, and for this purpose
social and political state of the various
populations, particularly as regards the
tration of justice, the collection of Gus
toms and other taxes, the means of trans |
portation and the need of public improve
mentS. They will report the re-
suits of their observations and reflections
and will recommend such executive ac-
them wise and useful.
The commissioners are hereby. author
lied to confer authorftat1vely with any |
persons resident in the islands from whom |
they may believe themselves able to de- /
for the purposes of their commission, or
whom they may choose to employ as
agents. as may be necessary for this pur-
1T is my desire that in all their re1a- |
tons with the inha bitants of the islands |
all the ideals, customs and institutions of |
the tribes which compose the population, |
upon all occasion the just |
and beneficent intentions of the govern /
ment of the United States 1t also is my i
wish and expectation that the commits /
sionerS may be received in a manner due /
to honored and authorized representatives
of the American republic duly commits
stoned on account of their knowledge, |
skin and integrity as bearers of the good
will, the protection and the richest bless
ings of a nberating rather than a con-
On the 9Th of February 1899, the treaty
was ratified by the Senate of the United |
States and the congress Immediately APP
visions. The notifications were exchanged
by the United States and Spain on the
18th of April, 1899.
ENDEAVORS TO SECURE PEACE.
AS early as April, 1899, the Philippine
commission, of which Dr. Schurman was
president, endeavored to bring about peace
in the islands by repeated conferences
with leading Tagalogs representing the
so-called inSurgent government, to the end
that some general plan of government
might be offered them which they would
accept So great was the satisfaction of
the insurgent commissioners with the
form OF government proposed by the
American commissioners that the latter
submitted the proposed scheme to me for
and my action thereon is shown
by the cable message following:
May 5, 1S99-Schurman, Manila: Yours
18th received. You are authorized to pro-
pose that under the military power of the
PRESIDENT banding action of congress. gov |