The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1900-09-21
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY'S letter ACCEPTING THE

On the 25th day of April 1903, Congress-
declared that state of war existed betwecn
Spain and the United States. On May l.,
$685. Admiral Dewey destroyed the Spanish
feet in Manila Bay. On May 10. 1885, Maj.
Gen. Merritt, U. s. A., was placed in COM
mand of the military expedition to Manila
and directed among other things to immedi-
ately publish proclamation declaring that
we come not to make war upon the people,
of the Philippines nor upon any part or fac
tion among them, but to protect them I'M
their homes, In their employments, and I'M
their personal and religious rights. All per-
sons who either by active aid or by honest
submission, cooperate with the unitcdl
States in its efforts to give effect to this
benefcent purpose will receive the reward
Of its support and protection.
Some Fortunes of War.
On July 3. $685. the Spanish fleet In at
tempting to escape from Santiago harbor1
was destroyed by the American fleet, and ON
July II, 1898, the Spanish garrison in the
city of Santiago surrendered to the com1
mander of the American forces.
Following these brilliant victories. on the
of Spain, hostilitics were suspended, and a
protocol was signed with view to arrang-
ing terms of peace between the two govern
ments. In pursuance thereof ! appointed as
commissioners the following distinguished
others to conduct the negotiations on the
rar; OF the United States: Hon. William X
Day of Ohio Hon. william J.. Frye OF
Minnesota. Hon. George Gray of Delaware
and Hon. whiteaw Reid of New York.
Forced Into Conflict.
In addressing the peace commission before
its departure for Paris, ! said:
ut is my wish that throughout the nego-
tiations 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 arms only in obedience to the die
tates of humanity and the fulhlment 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 of force this country was mpelied sole
ly by the purpose OF relieving grievous
wrongs and removing long existing condi-
lions which disturbed its tranquility, which
shocked the moral sense of mankind and
which could no longer be endured.
High Sense of Duty.
1T Is my earnest wish that the United,
States in making peace should follow the
same high rule OF conduct which guided 1t
in facing war 1t should be as scrupuous
and magnanimous in the concluding settle
ment as it was just and humane In Its orig
nal action. Our aim in the adjust
ment Of peace should be directed to lasting
results and to the achievement OF the COM
mon good under the demands Of civilization
rather than to ambitious designs.
without any original thought of complcteI
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 overrules
human action. Avow!ng unreservedly thel
purpose which has animated all our efforts,
and still SOLICITORS to adhere to 1t. we cam
not be unmndful that without any DESIRE
or design on our part the war has broughtl
us new duties and responsibilities which we
must meet and discharge as becomes great
nation on whose growth and career, from
the beginning, the Ruler of Nations has,
plainly written the high command and
pledge of civilization"
Shirked No Responsibility.
On Oct. 2s, 1890, while the peace commits
sion was continuing its negotiations in Paris
the following additional instruction was
sent:
1T is imperative upon us that as victorS'
we should be governed only by motives
which will exalt our nation. Territorial eI-
panson should be our least concern; that
we shall not shirk the moral Obligations OF
our victory is Of the greatest
1T is undisputed that SPANS authority IL
permanently destroyed in every part of the
Philippines. To leave any part in her feeble
control now would increase our difficulties
and be opposed to the interests OF human-
ity. 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
erelgnty over them. We must either hold
them or turn them back to Spnin.
Only One Honorable Course.
Consequently, grave as are the RESPONSE
bllities and unforeseen as are the Difficult
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--adm lnlstra-
tive and internationa-woud follow any
other course.
The President has given to the views or
the commissioners the fullest considerations
and In reaching the conclusion above ans
nounced, in the light OF information com
munIcated to the commission and to the
President since your departure, he has been
influenced by the single consideration or
duty and humanity. The President Is not
unmlndful of the distressed financial condi-
ton of Spain, and whatever consideration
the United States may show must come
from Its sense OF generosity and beneyoi-
ence rather than from any real or technical
obligation"
Could Not Abandon Them.
Again, on Nov. 10. instructed the COM
mission
From the standpoint Of indemnity, both
the archlpelagoes porto Rico and the Phil
fpplnes) are insufficient to pay our war ex-i
penses, but aside from this. do we not owe