The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-09-22

4 - e
b On the 25th day OF April, 1885, Congress-
declared that 9 state OF war existed between
Spain and the United States On MAY i.
1879, Admiral Dewey destroyed the Spanish
Meet IN Manila Bay. On May 10, 1893, Maj.
Gen Merritt, Q. S. A., was placed In COM
mand OF the military expedition to Manila
and directed among other things to immedi-
ateiy publish a proclamation declaring that
we come not to make war upon the people
OF the Philippines nor upon any part or fac-
ton among Them but to protect them II
tnelr homes, in their employments, and 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
beneficent purpose viii 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 harbor
was DESTROYED by the American fleet, and on
july II, 1898, the Spanish garrison In the
city OF Santiago surrendered to the come
mander OF the American forces
Following these brillIant> victories, on the
Eth day Of August, 1888, upon the initiative
or SPAIN hostilities were, suspended and .
pfoeoeoi was signed with a view to- arrang-
ing terms Of peace between the. two govern.
ments. In pursuance thereof appointed 40
commissioners the following distinguished
ertlzer5 To conduct the Negotiations or the
Fart OF tire Emitted States: Hon. william e.
Day Of Ohio. Hon. William; F.: Frye: Of
minnesota, Hon. George Gray Of Delaware
and HON. Whitelaw Reid of New York -:
s Forced Into Conflict. ~
In addressing the peace commission before
It's departure for. Paris, / said: e..
/. - 1T Is nay; wish that throughout the. neEo-
rlatlons intrusted 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 aims only in. obedience to the die
tates on humanity and the fulillment OF: high
public and moral obligations. We had 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 ct fouces this. country was impelled sole-
lv by the purpose, OF relieving: grleyous
wrongs and removing long existing. condl-
lions which disturbed it's tranquility. which
shocked the moral sense Of stnaukind and
which could no longep be, end;tred.
a. High Sense Of l,uty,
TT IS nay earnest wish that the United
states In. making peace, should follow the
same high rule OF conduct which g,lided it
In 1aclng wan. 1t should be as scrupuleuS
and magnanimous in. the concluding settle
ment as 1t was Just and humane III, its orig
lnal action. - Our aim in the adjust
ment of peace should be directed to. lasting
results and to the achievement Ut the COM
mon good under the demands Of civilization
rather than to- ambitious designs. = =
without any original thought Of complete
or even partial acquisition, the presence and
success Of our arms at Manila impose upon
US obligations which. we cannot disregard.
The march OF events rules and oxerrulee
human action, .Avowins unreservedly the
purpose which has animated all our efforts. :
and still solicitous to adhere to It,. we. cam
not be unmindfulf that without any desire
or design on our part the war has brought
US new duties and responsibilities which We
must meet and discharge as becomes a great
the beginning. the Ruler OF Nations has
plainly written the high command and
pledge OF civilization -.
Shirked No Responsibilities.
On Oct %, 1890, whilest peace commits
sion was continuing it's Negotiations in Paris.
the following additional instruction was
sent: r. --". 49,.
1t is Imperative upon US that as victora
we should be governed only by motivea
which Will exalt our nation Territorial ex-
pansion should be our least concern; that
we shall not shirk the moral obligations OF
our victory Is Of the greatest. -. ..~.
LIT Is undisputed that Spain's authority 10
permanently destroyed in every part Of the
Phllpplnes. 70 leave any part in her feeble
control now would increase our difficulties
and he opposed to the interests Of human.
lty 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 SOW
ereignty ever them. We must either hold
them OR turn them back to Spain.
Only One Honorable Course.
consequently, grave as are the RESPONSE
bilities and unforeseen as are the dif1icul-
ties which are before us, the President can
see but one plain path Of duty, the accept
ance OF the archipelago. Greater difficulties
and more serious complications-ad administers
tive and internationaLwould follow any
other course $3.50. ar,s 3. 80
The President has given to the views OF
the commissioners the fullest consideration.
and In reaching the conclusion above an
nounced, in the light Of information CON-
municatad to the commission. and to the
President since your departure, he has been
Influenced by the single consideration Of
duty and humanity. The President is not
unmindful Of the distressed financial condi-
ton Of Spain, and whatever consideration
the United States may show must come
from Its sense Of generosity and beneyol.
ence rather than from any real or technical
obligation, 81
Could Not Abandon Them, ~.
Again, on Nov. Is, instructed the com.
mission:
From The standpoint OF indemnity, both
the archipelagoes porto Rico and the Phil
ippines) are insufficient to pay our war ex-
penses but aside from this do we not owe
an obligation to the people Of the Philip
pines which will not permit 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 powera
Willingly or not, we have the respoasi-
bility OF duty which we cannot escape.
The President cannot believe any
division OF the archipelago can bring us any
thing but embarrassment in. the future. Tho
trade and commercial side. as well as shs
indemnity for the cost Of the war, are qnes-
tons we might yield. They might be waised
or compromised, but the questions Of dury
and humanity appeal to the President SO
strongly that he can ind no appropriate On.
swer but the one he has here marked out