The sun., 1900-09-18

Spain and the United States. On May 1.
1898, Admiral Dewey destroyed the Spanish
feet in Manila Bay. On May 10. 1898, Nal.
Gen. Merritt, U. 5. A., was placed in c0m-l
mand of the military expedition to Manila
and directed among other things to immcdi-
ately publish 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 III
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 United
States in its efforts to give effect TO this
beneficent purpose will receive the reward
Of Its support and protection
Some Fortunes of War.
On July 3, 1S9S the Spanish fleet In at
tempting to escape from Santiago harbor
was destroyed by the American fleet and on
July II, 1895, the Spanish garrison In the
city Of Santiago surrendered to the COM
mandcr of the American forces.
Following these brilliant victories. on the!
18th day of August, 1893, upon the initlative
Of Spain, hostilities 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
ritizers 10 conduct the negotiations on the
rar: OF the United States: Hon. William r..
Day of Ohio. Hon. William r. Frye Of
Minnesota, Hon. George Gray Of Delaware
and Hon. Whltelaw Reid OF New York.
Forced Into Conflict.
In addressing the peace commission before
its departure for Paris, I said:
1T Is my wish that throughout tho nego-i
tiations intrusted to the commission the pur-!
pose and spirit with which the United States
accepted the unwecome necessity of war
should be kept constantly In view. Wei
took up arms only in obedience to the dc
tatcs Of humanity and the fulfllment OF high
public and moral obligations. We had no
design of aggrandlzement 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 impelled sole
ly by the purpose OF relieving grlevous
wrongs and removing long existing cOndi-
tions 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 it
in facing war. 1t should be as scrupuous
and 'magnanlmous in the concluding settle
ment as it was just and humane In its orig
inal action. Our aim in the ADJUST
ment OF peace should be directed to lastingI
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 completes
or even partial acquisition, the presence andl
success Of our arms at Manila impose upon
us obligations which we cannot Disregard
The march Of events rules and oyerrules
human action. Av0wing unreserycdly the
purpose which has animated all our efforts,
and still solicitous to adhere to It. we can1
not be unmindful 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
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. %, 1890. while the peace commits
sion was continuing Its negotiations in Paris,
the following additional instruction was
sent:
at is imperative upon us that as victors
we should be governed only by motives,
which will exat our nation. Territorial ex-
panslon should be our least concern; that
we shall not shlrk the moral obligations OF
our victory is OF the greatest.
lit is undisputed that Spain's authority is
destroyed In every part OF the
Philippines. To leave any part in her feeble
control now would Increase our difficulties
md he opposed to the interests OF human
ty. Nor can we permit Spain to-
ransfcr any of the islands to another
,Ower Nor can we invite another power
,r powers TO join the United States in SOW
,reignty ever them. We must either hold
hem or turn them back to Spain.
Only One Honorable Course.
consequently, grave as are the RESPONSE
,ilities and unforeseen as are the difficult
les which are before us the President can
ce but one plain path OF duty, the accept
nee Of the archipelago. Greater difficulties
nd more serious compications-adm
i've and international-would follow any
ther course.
The President has given to the views OF
he commissioners the fulcst consideration,
nd IN reaching the conclusion above an,
ounced, in the light of information COM
nunicated 10 the commission and to the
resident since your departure, he has been
lfnenced by the single consideration OF
uty and humanity. The President Is not
mindful OF the distressed financial condi.i
lon OF Spain. and whatever considerations
he United States may show must come
rom its sense OF generosity and beneyoI1
nee rather than from any real or technical
litigation"
Could Not Abandon Them.
Again, on NOv. 13. | instructed the COM
lission
From the standpoint OF indemnity both
he archipclagoes porto Rico and the Phil-i
ppines) are insufficient to pay our war ex-.
enses, but aside from this. do we not owe
II obligation TO the people of the Philip
ines which will not permit us to returnl
hem TO the sovereignty OF Spain? Could we,
nstIfy ourselves in such course, or could
ve permit their barter to some other power?I
Willingly or not, we have the responsi.,
ilty OF duty which we cannot escape.
The President cannot believe any
lv ision OF the archipelago can bring us any
hing but embarrassment in the future. The