Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1900-09-13

and to give to the people authentic in
formation of the acts and aims of the
administration. 1 present at some length
the events of Importance leading up to
the present situation. The purposes of
the executive are best revealed and can
best be judged by what he has done and
is doing 1t will be seen that the power
of the government has been used for the
liberty, the peace ana the prosperity of
the Philippine peoples. and that force
has been employed only against force
which stood in the way of the realiza-
ton of these ends.
On the 18th day of April, 1898. congress
declared that a state of war existed be-
tween Spain and the United States On
May 1, 1898, Admiral Dewey destroyed
the Spanish fleet in Manila bay. On May
49, 1898, Maj. Gen. Merritt, United States
army, was placed in command of the
military expedition to Manila, and di-
rected among other things to immedi-
ately publish a proclamation declaring
that we come not to make war upon the
people of the Philippines nor upon any
part or faction among them, but to pro-
tect them in their homes, in their en-
ployrnentS, and in their personal and re-
ligious rights. All persons who either by
active aid or by honest submission, CO.
operate with the United States in its
efforts to give effect to this benefcent
purpose, will receive the reward of its
support and protection"
On July 8, 1898, the Spanish fleet in at
tempting to escape from Santiago harbor,
was destroyed by the American fleet,
and on July H. 1898, the Spanish garrison
in the city of Santiago surrendered to
the commander of the American forces.
Following these brilliant victories, on
the 18th day of August, 1898, upon the
initiative of Spain, hostilities were sus-
pended, and a protocol was signed with
a view to arranging terms of peace be-
tween the two governments. In pur-
suance thereof appointed as commits
sioners the following distinguished citi-
x,.1R ffnFf. Of
part of the United States: Hon. William
R. Day, of Ohio; Hon. William P. Frye,
Of Maine; Hon. Cushman K. Davis, of
Minnesota; Hon. George Gray, of Della
wore, and Hon. Whitelaw Reid, of New
York In addressing the peace commits
sion before its departure for Paris said:
''It is my wish that throughout the ne
gotiationS entrusted to the commission
the purpose and spirit with which the
United States accepted the unwelcome
necessity of war should be kept con-
stantly in view. We took UP arms only
in obedience to the dictates of humanity
and in the fulf1lment of high public and
moral obligations. We had no design OF
ACKNOWLEDGMENT and no ambition of con-
quest. Through the long course of re-
peated representations which preceded
and aimed to avert the struggle and in
the final arbitrament of force this coun-
try was impelled solely by the purpose
of relieving gric Fous wrongs and renGov-
ing long existing conditions which dis
turbed its tranquility, which shocked the
moral sense of mankind and which could
no longer be endured
The treaty of peace was concluded on
December 10, 1898. BY its terms the arch
ipelago, known as the Philippine islands,
was ceded by Spain to the United States
It was also provided that "the civil rights
and political status of the native inhab-
itants of the territories hereby ceded to
the United States shall be determined by
the congress" Eleven days thereafter,
ell Il
was given to the commander of our
forces in the Philippines:
1.-THE military commander of the United
States is enjoined to make known to the
inhabitants of the Philippine islands that
in succeeding to the sovereignty of Spain,
in severings the former political relations
of the inhabitants and in establishing
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. It will be the duty of the
commander of the forces of occupation to
announce and proclaim in the most pub
lie manner that we come not as invaders
or cOnquerors, but as friends, to pro-
tect the natives in their homes, in their
eTnp1oymentS, and in their personal and
religious rights
On the 9Th of February, 1892 the treaty
was ratified by the senate of the United
States, and the congress Immediately APP
visions The notifications were ex-
changed by the United States and Spain
on the 18th of April, 1899.
AS early as April, 1899, the Philippine
commission, of which DR.. Schurman was
president, endeavored to bring about
peace in the islands by repeated confer
ences with leading Taga1ogs representing
the so-called insurgent government, to
the end that some general plan of gov
eminent might be offered them which
they would accept. So great was the sat
| isfactiOn of the insurgent commission
ers with the form of government proposed
! by the American commissioners that the
| latter submitted the proposed scheme to
me for approval.
The commission is confident that ''by
a judicious customs law, reasonable land
tax and proper corporation franchise tax,
| imposition of no greater rate than that
| in average American state will give less
| annoyance and with peace will produce
revenues sufficient to pay expenses of
! efficient government including militia and
| constabulary." They ''are preparing a
stringent civil service law giving equal
! opportunity to Fi1ipinos and Americans,
with preference for former where quail
| f1cations are equal, to enter at lowest
rank and by promotion reach head of de-
| partment. Forty-fve miles of railroad
extension under negotiation will give ac-
cess to a large province rich in valuable
minerals, mile high, with strictly tenn
| perate climate. Railroad construction
| will give employment to many and com
municatfOn will furnish market to vast
| stretches of rich agricultural lands.''
They report that there are calls from
all parts of the islands for public schools.
school supplies and English teachers,
| greater than the commission can pro-
| vide until a comprehensive school sys-
| TEN is organized. Night schools for
teaching English to adults are being es-
| tablished in response to popular demand.
Native children show aptitude in learn
| ing English Spanish is spoken by a
| nd in few
| years the medium of communication in
the courts, public offices and between
different tribes will be English; creation
| of central government within Is months,