The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-10


Orient was opened TO itg Do our adver-
saries condemn the expedition under the
command OF Gen. Merritt TO str?ngthen
Dewey in the distant ocean and assist
IN our triumph over Spain. with which
nation We were at war; Was Il not our
nigh duty 10 strike Spain at every Nul-
be successfully ended at the earliest
practicable moment,
And was Il not our duty to protect the
lives and property which came into our
control BY the fortunes of warg Could
We have come away al any time between
MAY /, 1925, and the conclusion OF peace
Soud We have come away without dis
honor at any time after the ratification
Of the treaty by the senate OF the United
There has been no time since the des-
truciion Of the enemy's fleet when we
could or should have left the Philippine
archipelago,
Congress Has Control.
After the treaty OF peace was ratified.
no power but congress could surrender
our sovereiSnty or ALLEVIATE a foot OF the
territory thus acquired. The congress
has not seen fl to do the one or the
other. and the president has no author
ny 70 DO. either, II he had been so in
elined. which he was not. SO long as
the sovereignty remains IN us II is the
duty Of the executive. whoever he may
re. 10 uphold the sovereignty, and II at
tackled 10 suppress its assallants. Would
FfIipinos Made First Attack.
II has been asserted that there would
have been no fighting in the Philippines
" congress had declared It's purpose to
give independence 10 the Tagal insur-
gents. Tie insurgents did not wait for
the offensive, they opened FIRE on our
army. Those who asserted our respon-
sihility. for the beginning OF the conflict
have forgotten that before the treaty
was ratified in the senate and while Il
was being debated in that body, and
while the Bacon resolution was under
surgents attacked the American army
after having been previously advised
that the American forces were under or
ders not to oper fire upon them except
The paper found in the recently cap
tured archives OF the insurgents DEM
onstrates that this attack had been care
fully planned for weeks before Il oc-
our soldiers at time when the senate
was celebrating upon the treaty, shows
render and abandonment. would have pre-
vented the lighting. and leaves no doubt
in fair minds where the responsibility
rests for the shedding of American blood.
Purpose of the President.
With all the exaggerated phrase-mak-
danger OF being diverted from the real
contention. We are in agreement with
all OF these who supported the war with
Spain and also with those who counseled
the ratification OF the treaty OF peace.
Upon these two great essential steps
there can be no issue and out OF these
came all our responsibilities. IL others
would shirk the obligations imposed by
the war and treaty we must decline 20
act further with them. and here the Is
sue is made, II Is our purpose to es-
tahlish in the Philippines a government
suitable to the wants ana conditions OF
the inhabitants and TO prepare them for
self-government and to give them self
government when they are ready for Il.
and as rapidly as they are ready for IL.
That n am aiming TO do, under my
constitutional authority and Will continue
to do until congress shall determine the
political status OF the inhabitants OF the
archipelago.
Are our opponents against the treaty?
III so, they must be reminded that Il
could not have been ratified IN the sen
ate but for their assistance. The senate
which ratified the treaty and the con-
gress which added its sanction by large
appropriation. comprised senators and
representatives of the people of all par
ties.
Giving Ala to the Enemy.
Would our opponents surrender TO the
insurgents? Abandon our sovereignty or
accede TO them? II that he not their
purpose then 1t should be promptly DIS
the hopes raised by our opponents IN
the minds OF the Fflipinos, that with their
success at the polls In NOVEMBER there
will be a withdrawal of our army and
our American sovereignty In the archi-
peago: the complete Independence OF the
Tagaiog people recognized and the pow
ers OF government over all other peoples
Of the archipelago conferred upon the
Tagalog leaders. -
The effect OF a belief in the minds OF the
Insurgents that this viii be done has al
ready prolonged the rebellion and In
creases the necessity for the continuance
OF a large army. are now delaying me
establishment OF peace and civil govern.
tnent in the islands and has influenced
many OF the insurgents against accepting
the liberal terms OF amnesty offered ny
Gen Macarthur under my direction. But
for these false hopes a considerable reIuc.
establishment In the Philippines and the
realization OF stable government would
be already at hand.
what the Opposition Asks.
The American people are asked by our
opponents TO yield the sovereignty OF the
islands of the Philippines to a small frac-
ton OF the population. a single tribe out
of eighty or more inhabtlng the Islands.
a fraction which wantonly attacked the
american troops IN Manila while rishtiui
possession under the protocol with spain.
awaiting the ratification OF the treaty %
peace By the senate and which has since
been In active, open rebellion against the
We are asked 10 transfer our SOW
sretguty 10 small minority I'm the
islands without consulting the majority,
and abandoning the largest portion Of the
population. which has been loyal 20 ua.
10 the cruelties 81 the insurgent banGa.
More than this, we are asked 10 protect
this minority in establishing a govern
rnent, and 90 this end repfeea all oppoh-
ton 20 the majority. We are required 20
set up stable government IN the interest
OF those who have aHsaiied our SOW
ereixnty and Cred upon our soldiers and
then maintain tt. At any cost or aacrifce.
against she enemy within and against
those having ambitious designs without
This would require an army and navy
far larger than IL now maintained IN the
philippines and stu more in excess ~
what viii he necessary with the fun rec
ignition 81 our sovereignty. our military
support az military authority not our
own thus proposed. Is the very essence
81 rliiltaryisrn which our opponents IN
their platform oppose, bY which. by their
railcy would OF necessity be established
in It's most offensive form
Cannot Betray Ftiipinos.
The American people viii mt make the
murdercra u cur soldiers he agents ~
fhe republic 20 convey the blessings Of
liberty and order n the Philippine They
will not make them the btiiidess 10 new
c0rsrnonw eaith. Such course would be