Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-09-28

declared that state of war existed between
Spain and the United States. On May l.
1898, Admiral Dewey destroyed the Spanish
feet in Manila Bay. On May 10, 1888 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 thas
come not to make war upon the people
of the Philippines nor upon any part or fac-
tion among them, but to protect them In
their homes, in their employments, ana In
their personal and religious rights. All per-
sons who, either by active aid or by honess
submission, cooperate with the unlteo
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, 1898, the Spanish feet In a"
tempting to escape from Santiago harooS
was destroyed by the American feet and ON
July II, 1898, the Spanish garrison in Tho
city of Santiago surrendered to the some
mander of the American forces.
Following these brilliant victories, on the
18th day Of August, 1893, upon the Initiative
Of Spain, hostilities were suspended, and d
protocol was signed with view to srrang+
ments In pursuance thereof appointed an
commissioners the following distinguished
citizers to conduct the negotiations on thd
rar. Of the United States: Hon. William r.
Day Of Ohio. Hon. William P. Frye OF
Minnesota, Hon. George Gray Of Delaware
and Hon. Whiteaw Reid Of New York!
Forced Into Conflict.
In addressing the peace commission betors
| Its departure for Paris, I said
ut Is my wish that throughout the negoI
tiations intrusted to the commission the pur!
! nose and sn'rlt with which the United States
accepted the unwelcome necessity Of ~aH
should be kept constantly In view. Wa
took up arms only in obedience to the iio4
tates Of humanity and the fulhment Of algs
public and moral obligations. We he'd no
design Of aggrandizement and ambition
of conquest.
Through the long course OF repeated reps
reservations which preceded and aimed TO
avert the struggle and In the nna nrb'tra.
ment Of force this country was impeed so!sI
| ly by the purpose of relieving grleveuS
wrongs and removing long existing coadi1
| tions which disturbed Its tranquility, which
shocked the moral sense Of mankind anG
which could no longer be endured.
High Sense Of Duty.
at Is my earnest wish that the Uaire4
States In making peace should follow the
same high rule Of conduct which guided ie
| In facing war. 1t should be as scruputOua
and magnanlmous in the concluding settle
ment as 1t was just and humane In lts orig
Inal action. Our aim In the adjust
ment OF peace should be directed TO lasting
results and to the achievement Of theEEgIn-
mon good under the demands Of civiiisS4ton
rather than to ambitious designs.
| without any original thought OF com etc
| or even partial acquisition. the presence An&
success of our arms at Manila Impose upoH
us obligations which we cannot disregard
| The march OF events rules and oysrrulee
human action. Avowng unreservedly tha
purpose which has animated all our eToTta,
and still solicitous 10 adhere TO 1t. ". ycan.
not be unmindful that without any desire
or design our part the war has brouEhk
us new duties and responsibilities which wo
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 VAC
sent:
ut is Imperative upon us that as victors
we should be governed only by motives
which Will exat our nation. Territorial sx.
panSlon should be our least concern ,has
We shall not shirk the moral obligations Of
our victory Is Of the greatest
| ''lt Is undiSDuipd Snaln's In
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 10
transfer any of the Islands TO another
power. Nor can we Invite another power
or powers to join the United states In. SOW
ereignty ever them. We must either hold
them or turn them back to Spain.
Only One Honorable Course.
Consequently, grave as are the RESPONSE.
bilitles and Unforeseen as are the difficult
ties which are before us. the President car
see but one plain path Of duty, the accept
ance OF the archipelago. Greater difficulties
} and more serious Observation-Disclosures
tive and internatioual-would follow any
other course.
The President has given to the views Of
: the commissioners the fullest consideration.
and In reaching the conclusion above sn-
= nounced, in the light OF Information COM
, munlcated TO the commission and to the
President since your departure, he has been
} Influenced by the single consideration Of
duty and humanity. The President 10 non
unmlndful OF the distressed financial coudi-
tlon Of Spain, and whatever conslderauon
the United States may show must como
from Its sense Of generosity and beneyoh
ence rather than from any real or techuicRl
obligation"
D Could Not Abandon Them.
Again, on Nov. 49, | instructed the CON.
mission:
From the standpoint Of Indemnity, both
the archlpelagoes Porto Rico and the Phil.
s ippnesl are insufficient to pay our war sI.
$ penses, but aside from this. do we not owe
/. an obligation to the people OF the Philip
/. pines which will not permit us TO return
them to the sovereignty OF Spain1 Could We
$ Justify ourselves in such course, or could
, we permit their barter to some other powerS
( Willingly or not. we have the responsI.
bilty OF duty which we cannot escape.
= The President cannot believe anJ