The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-09-10

Spain, with which nation we were at
war? Was it not our highest duty to
strike Spain at every vulnerable point
that the war might be successfully con-
cluded at the earliest practicable mo-
ment?
And was 1t not our duty to protect
the Hives and property Of those who
came within our control by the fortunes
of war? Could we have come away at
any time between May l, 1898, and the
conclusion of peace without stain up
on our good name?
Could we have come away without
dishonor at any time after the ratifica-
ton of the peace treaty by the senate of
the United States?
There has been no time since the de-
struction of the enemys fleet when we
could or should have left the Philippine
archipelago. After the treaty of peace
was ratified no power but congress
could surrender our sovereignty or al
ienate a foot Of the territory thus ac-
quired. The congress has not seen At
to do the one or the other, and the
president had no authority to do either
if he had been so inclined which he was
not, SO long as the sovereignty re-
mains in us 1t is the duty of the execu
tive, whoever he may be, to uphold that
sovereignty and if 1t be attacked to sup
press its assailants Would our politi-
cal adversaries do less?
1t has been asserted that there would
have been no lighting in the Philippines
if congress had declared its purpose to
give independence to the Tagal insur-
Fl,
the action of congress They assumed
the offensive; they opened fire or our
army. Those who assert our RESPONSE
biiity for the beginning of the conflict
have forgotten that before the treaty
was ratified in the senate and while 1t
was being debated in that body, and
while the Bacon resolution was under
discussion, on February 4, 1899, the in
surgents attacked the American army
after being previously advised that the
American forces were under orders not
to fire upon them except in defense.
The papers found in the recently cap
tured archives of the insurgents dem
onstrate that this attack had been care
fully planned for weeks before 1t &C.
CURED. Their unprovoked assault up
on our soldiers at time when the SEN
ate was celebrating upon the treaty
shows that no action on our part ex-
cept surrender and abandonment would
have prevented the fighting, and leaves
no doubt in any fair mind of where the
responsibility rests for the shedding of
American blood.
With all the exaggerated phrase max
ing of this electoral contest we are in
danger of being diverted from the real
contention.
We are in agreement with all of those
who supported the war with Spain and
also with those who counselled the rat
ification Of the treaty of peace. Upon
these two great essential steps there can
be no issue, and out Of these came all I
Of our responsibilities If others would |
shirk the obligations imposed by the |
war and the treaty we must decline to |
act further with them, and here the is
sue was made 1t is our purpose to es-
La blish in the Philippines a government |
suitable to the wants and conditions of
the inhabitants and to prepare them for
self government and to give them self
government when they are ready for it !
andas rapidly as they are ready for It,
That l am aiming to do under my con-
stitutional authority and will continue
10 do until congress shall determine the
political status of the inhabitants Of the
Are our opponents against the treaty?
# so, they must be reminded that it
would not have been ratified in the SEN
ltc but for their assistance. The sen
lite which ratified the treaty and the
congress which added it's sanction by a
arge appropriation comprised senator's
md representatives of the people of all
parties
Would our opponents surrender to the |
abandon our sovereignty or E
EIDE it to them. If that be not their
purpose, then it should be promptly dis ,
laimed, for only evil can result from !
he hopes raised by our opponents in =
he minds of the Fiipinos, that with D.,
heir success at the polls in November ,
here will be a withdrawal of our army | :
nd of American sovereignty over the :
the complete Independence -,
t the Tagalog people recognized and =
he powers of government over all the