Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-09-21
THE FACTS GIVEN N
The President Tells About
the Philippines.
Shows His Policy Has Always
Been for Peace There.
American Responsibility Shown to
Be Unavoidable Good Of
the People Sought For.
Tn, Money Question of Most lmmedi-
ate Importancs-Prospsrity OF the
Country Under Sound MONEY
49,, ana Protection.

Country Under Sound Money
49, ana Protection.
washington, D. c., Sept. 1o.--Presi-
dent McKinley's formal letter OF ac-
ceptance of the presidential nomlna-
ton was made public to-day. IL Is
the strongest document of the cam
paign, squarely meeting every ISSUE
and upon the Philippine question IL
presents unanswerable arguments to
sustain the position of the adminlstra-
ton. showing beyond all dispute that
all pledges have been kept that every
| move has been for peace and that the
power of the government has been used
for the liberty, the peace and the pros
| perity of the Philippine peoples" ana
that force has been employed only
against force which stood in the way
of the realization of these interests.
The restoration of law and order in
Cuba, the improvement of sanitary con-
ditions, the introduction OF education
and the establishment of local govern
ment administered by the people OF the
island have been accomplished. The
military establishment has been re-
duced from $4,000 to less than 5000, and
on the 18th of this month representa-
tives to constitutional convention
will be chosen. In Porto Rico the army
has been reduced to the minimum and
the people are enjoying prosperity.
Free schools are being established, in
dustries are developing and business is
generally greatly increasing. The pres
ent temporary tariff, which is only IS
per cent of the regular tariff, is used
entirely for the benefit of the island.
The president carefully sketches the
work of the United States government
in the Philippines, showing that every
effort was made to satisfy the people
that the government of the United
States sought only to help them, and it
is shown that majority of the Phil
:1ai,es have gratefully accepted the
United States government. The presi-
dent quotes at length from his instruc-
lions to the two Philippine commits
sions, showing that they were directed
to do everything for the benefit OF the
people and to establish local seH-gov-
eminent as rapidly as possible. Quot
ing from one of these letters of instruc-
ton the president says:
All Pledges Kept.
1.-THE articles Of capitulation Of the city
OF Manila on the 18th Of August, 1898.
concluded with these words: This city.
its inhabitants, Its churches and religious
worship its educational establishments
and its private property OF all descrlp-
tons, are placed under the special safe
guard of the faith and honor of the Amer
II believe that this pledge has been
faithfully kept. AS high and sacred an
obligation rests upon the government of
the United States to- give Tor
dom. and wise, firm and unselfish guild
| ance in the paths of peace and prosperity
to all the people Of the Philippine ISLANDS as:
full performance Of this obligation. which
concerns the honor and conscience, OF
their country, in the firm hope that
Of the Philippine islands may come to
look back with gratitude to the day when
God gave victory to the American arms
Manila and set their and under the
people of the United States
Following are extracts from the pres
| ident's letter in reference to the Phil
ippines:
Asks for Honest Opinion.
And was it not our duty to protect the The
lives and property Of those nos to VINO came ne
| war? Could we have come away at any
time between May !. 1898. and the conclu-
sion Of peace without stain upon our
| good name? Could we have come away
t, without dishonor at any time after the
senate Of the United States?
struction of the enemy'ss fleet, when we
could or should have left the Philip.
! pine archipelago. After the treaty of
was ratified power but
| or ALLEVIATE foot Of the territory thus
| acquired. The congress has not seen fit
| to do the one or the other, and the pres
had been so inclined, which he was not.
| So long as the sovereignty remains, in
! us 1t IS the duty of the executive, who
eighty. and il It be attacked to suppress
versaries do less?
The American Purpose.
It is our purpose to establish In the
Philippines government suitable to the
wants and conditions of the inhabitants,
and to prepare them for self-government,
and to give them self-sovernment when
| tn = are ready for 1t, and as rapidly as
thy are ready for 1t. That l am aiming
to DO under my constitutional authority.
and will continue to do until congress
shall determine the political status Of the
inhabitants Of the archipelago.
| No Premium ON Murder.
The American peaople will not make
the murders of our soldiers the agents
OF the republic to convey the blessings
OF liberty and order to the Philippines
They will not make them the builders OF
the new commonwealth. Such a course
would be betrayal of our sacred obi
cations to the peaceful Filtpinos, and
would place at the mercy of dangerous
adventures the lives and property OF tbs
natives and foreigners. 1t would make
possible and easy the commission OF such
atrocities as were secretly planned to be
executed on the 22d Of February, 1899
in the city of Manila, when only the
vigilance Of our army prevented the at
tempt to assassinate our soldiers and al
foreigners and pillage and destroy the
city and its surroundings.
The American question is between duty
and desertion. The American verdict will
be for duty and against both anarchy
Ind imperialism
An American Shipping.
| 49, - q ~