The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-09-07

Alexandria. MINI, Special, Sept, l.
Senator Nelson opened the Republican
campaign tonight with mastery speech
on the Philippine question, delivered in
his usual concise and convincing manner.
The town hall was packed to the doors.
The Republican club, which now numbers
$50, turned out in body. Senator Nelson
held the attention of his audience and at
times the applause was deafening. He
was at his best. The senator will start
out in a few days to remain in the field
until the election is over.
Senator Nelson's Speech
The speech, which was entitled 1.-THE
Philippine Question in Its Various AS
pects," follows:
That our country had good ground for
declaring war against Spain and that the
war was just one, fairly and humanely
carried on to a most successful, honor
able and glorious issue, is conceded by
all, and is not a matter of controversy.
The American people, without regard to
party, are responsible for the war. The
bill appropriating $5O,OOO,OOO for war
preparation and the resolution declaring
war were passed by a unanimous vote of
both houses.
On the 26th of April, 1898, when war
was formally declared, Dewey was at
Mrs bay, near Hongkong, China, at the
head of our Asiatic squadron. He had
been ordered to leave his moorings with
in twenty-four hours, and there was no
port open to him in the Eastern seas.
But two courses were open to him-to re-
turn home or to effect lodgment at Ma
Mia.
On the next day, under orders, he
steamed for Manila, and on the 1st of
May entered Manila bay, destroyed the
Spanish fleet, captured the arsenal and
works at Cavite and had Manila in his
grasp.
At this time Spain was i'm undis-
puted control and possession of Luz
EOn and the other Philippine islands.
as she had been for the past 800
years.
There were some wild tribes in the in
terror, and the Moros or Mohammedans
of Mindanao and in the Zulu group that
were not fully subjugated, but aside from
these her authority was recognized and
submitted to everywhere. There was no
semblance of hostile government in any
form in the Island of Luzon. The insur-
rection which had existed had practically
been extinguished, though there was I'M
doubtedly a smoldering hostility to the
Spanish government and a few small,
struggling guerrilla bands in the remote
interior, the remnants of a compromised
instruction.
The government of Spain was as OPP
pressive, as tyrannical and as hated in
the Philippines as in Cuba, and on
grounds of humanity there was as much
cause for Intervention in the Philippines
as in Cuba. But when Dewey entered
Manila bay there was no semSlance of a
Philippine republic nor Philippine army.
The Tagals and the other tribes lay help
less at the feet of Spain.
In August, 1885, an Instruction, under
the leadership of Aguinaldo, had broken
out in the province of Cavite, and had
spread to some of the other provinces in
Luzon, with varying success on both
sides, but no decided or permanent re-
suits had been secured in favor of the
insurgents. Finally, on Dec. 10, 1897, the
insurrection was abandoned, under a
written compromise, effected by Rivera,
the new governor general, with Aguin-
aldo and his principal followers at Biac
ma Bato. Under this compromise it was
agreed that Aguinaldo and his chiefs and
followers should abandon the insurrec-
ton, lay down and surrender their arms,
which did not exceed 1000 as admitted
by Aguinaldo, and that Aguinaldo ard
his chiefs should withdraw from the
country.
AEuinaIdo Bought on.
In consideration of these acts, there
was to be ~ a general amnesty, C2) a
reform Of abuses complained of, and 90
a payment to Aguinaldo and his chiefs
of 100000, as follows: Four hundred
thousand dollars in cash, or its equiya-
lent, to be paid to Aguinaldo when he
embarked for China, 100000 to be paid
to Aguinaldo when Ricarte had been
wired to lay down his arms and had de-
livered them up to the Spanish authori-
ties, and 100000 when peace was fully
established and proclaimed by the gov
ernor general.
The 100000, in letter Of credit, was
paid Aguinaldo, and he and his chief fol-
lowers, betook themselves to China, where
they were staying when Dewey started
for Manila
In this manner and upon such consider
atoms, did Aguinaldo and his chiefs dis
continue the instruction, expatriate
themselves and abandon their people to
the mercies of Spain. The original agree
ment Of compromise, which have quoted
was afterwards modified, through those