Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1900-09-22
NOMINA TIONOF The REP PUBLICAN PART #:

y % VI 9
Feb. 10, 1900, says that he was present at
the interview between Admiral Dewey and
the insurgent leader; and that in this inter-
view Admiral Dewey made no promises
whatever. He adds:
.He lAguinaldo) asked me if my govern
ment was going to recognize his govern
ment | answered that was there simply
in military capacity; that could not ac-
knowledge his government, because had no
authority to do So"
Easy to Find Fault.
Would not our adversaries have, sent
Deweys feet to Manila to capture and de-
stroy the Spanish sea power there, or, dis
patching it there, would they have with
drawn it after the destruction of the Span
ish fleet; and IL the latter, whittier would
they have directed to sail? Where could
it have gone? What port in the Orient was
openedgto it2
Do our adversaries condemn the expedi-
tion under the command of General Merritt
to strengthen Dewey in the distant ocean
and assist in our triumph over Spain, with.
which nation we were at war? Was 1t not
our highest duty to strike Spain at every
Vulnerable point, that the war might be
successfully concluded at the earliest prac-
ticable moment?
Asks for Honest Opinion.
And was 1t not our duty to protect the
lives and property Of those who came within
our control by the fortunes of war? Could
we have come away at any time between
May 1, 1898, and the conclusion of peace
without a stain upon our good name? Gould
we have come away without dishonor at any
time after the ratification of the peace treaty
by the Senate Of the United States?
There has been no time since the destruc-
tion of the -enemy's 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
aliRnafp n foot
tory thus acquired. The Congress has not
seen fit to do the one or the other, and the
President had no authority to do either, II
he had been so inclined, which he was not.
( So long as the sovereignty remains in us 1t
is the duty of the executive. whoever he
may be, to uphold that sovereignty, and II It
be attacked to suppress its assailants. Would
our political adVerSarieS do less?
Begun by Insurgents.
1t has been asserted that there would have
been no fighting in the Philippines If Con-
gress had declared its purpose to give indie
pendence to the Tagal insurgents. The In
surgents did not wait for the action of Con-
gress. They assumed the offensive, they
opened fire on our army.
Those who assert our responsibility for
the beginning of the conflict have forgotten
that before the treaty was ratified in the
Senate, and while it was being debated in
that body. and while the Bacon resolution
was under discussion, on Feb A. 1899, the
insurgents attacked the American army,
aTTef DelQS previously ADVISED the
American forces were under orders not to
fire upon them except in defense. The pa-
pers found in the recently captured archives
of the insurgents demonstrate that this at
tack had been carefully planned for weeks
before it occurred. IN
Only One Course Open.
Their unprovoked assault upon our sol
diers at time when the Senate was delib-
Grating upon the treaty shows that no ac-
ton on our part except surrender and aban-
and leaves no doubt in any fair mind where
the responsibility rests for the shedding OF
American blood
With all the exaggerated phrasemaking
of this electoral contest, we are in danger of
being diverted from the real contention. We
are in agreement with all of those who sup
ported the war with Spain, and also with
those who codnseled the ratification OF the
treaty of peace. Upon these two great es-
sential steps there can be no issue, and out
of these came all 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 issue
was made.
1t is our purpose to establish in the Philip
pines q 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, and as rapidly as they are
ready forit. That / am aiming to do under
my constitutional authority, and will con-
tinue to do until Congress shall determine
the political status of the inhabitants OF the
archipelago.
Plea for Consistency.
Are our opponents against the treaty? If
so, they must be reminded that 1t could not
have been ratified in the Senate but for their
assistance. The Senate which ratified the
treaty and the Congress which added It's
sanction by a large appropriation comprised
Senators and Representatives of the people
of all parties
Would our opponents surrender to the in
surgents, abandon our sovereignty or cede 1T
to them? If that be not their purpose, then
it should be promptly disclaimed. for only
evil can result from the hopes raised by our
opponents in the minds of the Filipinos, that
with their success at the polls in November
there will be a withdrawal of our army and
of American sovereignty over the archlpela-
go, the complete independence of the Taga-
log people recognized and the powers of
government over all the other peoples of the
archipelago conferred upon the Tagalog.
leaders.
Pro1ongs the Rebellion.
The effect Of belief in the minds of the
insurgents that this will be done has al
ready prolonged the rebellion and increases
the necessity for the continuance of large
army. It is now delaying full peace in the
archipelago and the establishment OF civil
governments, and has Influenced many OF
the insurgents against accepting the liberal
terms of amnesty offered by Gen. Macarthur
under my direction. But for these false
hopes a cOnSlQeraDlecs TeQucClOu C0ulu Lave
ben had in our military establishment in the
Philippines and the realization of stable
government would be already at hand.
The American people are asked by our OPP
ponents to yield the sovereignty of the
United States in the Philippines to small
fraction of the population, a single tribe out
of eighty or more inhabiting the archipelago,
a faction which wantonly attacked the
American troops in Manila while in right
full possession under the protocol with
Spain, awaiting the ratification of the treaty
of peace by the Senate, and which has since
been in active, open rebellion against the
United States. We are asked to transfer
our sovereignty to small minority In the
islands without consulting the majority and
to abandon the largest portion of the popu-
lation. which has been loyal to us, to the /
cruelties of the guerrilla insurgent bands.
Demands Cannot Be Net.
More than this, we are asked to protect !
this minority in establishing a government |
and to this end repress all opposition of the
We are required to set up sta
Bile government in the interest of those VINO
have assailed our sovereignty and fired upon
our soldiers. and then maintain it at any
cost or sacrifice against its enemies within
and against those having ambitious designs
from without
This would require an army and navy far
larger than is now maintained in the Philip
pines and still more in excess of what will /
be necessary with the full recognition OF our
sovereignty. military support OF author