The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-09-21
MKINLEY'S letter ACCEPTING The

| On the 25th day Of April 1898, Congress
declared that state of war existed between
| Spain and the United States. On May 1,
| 1898, Admiral Dewey destroyed the Spanish
| feet in Manila Bay. On May 10, 1898, 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
ton among them, but to protect them IN
their homes, in their employments, and in
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
benefcent purpose will receive the reward
Of its support and protection
Some Fortunes of War.
On July 8, 1893, the Spanish fleet in at
tempting to escape from Santiago harbor
was destroyed by the American fleet, and on
July II, 1898, the Spanish garrison in the
city of Santiago surrendered to the COM
mander of the American forces.
Following these brilliant victories, on the
18th day of August, 1898, upon the initiative
of Spain, hostilities were suspended, and
protocol was signed with a view to arrang-
ing terms of peace between the two govern
merts. In pursuance thereof appointed as
commissioners the following distinguished
others TO conduct the negotiations on the
ra": of tho United States: Hon. William K.
Day of Ohio. Hon. William T. Frye of
Minnesota, Hon. George Gray of Delaware
and Hon. Whitelaw Reid of New York.
Forced Into Conflict.
In addressing the peace commission before
Its departure for Paris, said:
1T 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 fulfillment Of high
public and moral obligations. We had no
design of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and no ambition a
of conquest.
Through the long course OF repeated rep
reservations which preceded and aimed to
avert the struggle and In the final arbitTa-
ment of force this country was !rlpe!.ed sole
ly by the purpose of relieving grievCGs
wrongs and removing long existing condi-
lions which disturbed its Tranquility. which
shocked the moral sense. Uf mankind and
which could no longer be endured.
High Sense of Dnty.
at is my earnest wish that the United
States in making peace should follow the
same high rule of conduct which gnlded it
in facing war. 1t should be as serupuIous
and magnanmous 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 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 complete
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 overrulcs
human action. AVowing unreSerVediy the
purpose which has animated all our efforts,
and still solicitOus to adhere to it. we cam
not be unmindful that without any desire
or design Oh our part the war has brought
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. %, 1890, while the peace commits
sion was continuing its negotiations in Paris,
the following additional instruction was
sent:
ut is imperative upon US that as Victors
we should be governed only by motives
which will exalt our nation. Territorial ex-
pansion 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 Is
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
! ereignty ever them. We must either hold
| them or turn them back to Spain.
Only One Honorable Course
consequently, grave as are the RESPONSE
bilities 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-ad ministra-
| tive and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS follow any
other course.
The President has given to the views Of
| the commissioners the fullest consideration,
| and in reaching the conclusion above an
nounced, in the light OF information COM
municatad to the commission and to the,
| PRESIDENT since your departure, he has been
| influenced by the single consideration Of
duty and humanity. The President is not
unmindful of the distressed financial condi-
ton of Spain, and whatever consideration
the United States may show must come
| from its sense of generosity and benevol-
ence rather than from any real or technical
| obligation"
Could Not Abandon Them.
Again, on Nov. Is, l instructed the COM
mission:
From the standpoint Of Indemnity, both
the archipelagoes porto Rico and the Phil
| ippines) are insufficient to pay our war ex-
| 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 Spain? Could we
| Justify ourselves in such a course, or could
| we permit their barter to some other power?
"Willingly or not, we have the response
billty of duty which we cannot escape.
The President cannot believe any