The Portland daily press., 1901-02-26
TAXING OF PHILIPPINES.
How the Matter Was
About.
Presidents Instructions to Paris
Commission.
Power of Insurgents
Underrated.
Senator Frye Wanted to Seize
CarOlines.

Within an hour Thursday, after Sena-
tor pettigrew had introduced resolution
asking the Committee on Printing TO md
out why the government printing office
had not printed and sent to the Senate
the Instructions OF the President TO the
Paris commission, the document In ques-
tion was forthcoming and was made pub
lio These instructions and the accom-
panying deBpacthes between the President
and SEQ. Hav here in Washington and
Mr.. Day In Paris were sent to the Senate
In January, in response to resolution
by MIR. Pettigrew, ana two weeks ago
the Injunction Of secrecy was removed.
The President IN bis letter OF transmits
sion says that he has included In tbs
papers sent to the Senate all that are not
In his Judgment inconsistent with the
public Interest TO make public. The in
struotions make 1t clear that our COM
misIioners mad ample latitude for the ac-
quisition of the Philippines and that the
President distinctly assumed RESPONSE
binty for taking the islands.
The commissioners were positively
directed Co demand the aessian of the Is
land OF Luzon and inferentlally to exact
whatever more they could, The Presi-
dent having first said In these instruc-
lions: ''It is my earnest wish that tne
United States, in making pesos should
follow the same high rule OF conduct
which guided It in facing war. 10 should
be as scrupulous and magnanimouS IN
the concluding settlement as 1t was just
and humane IN It's original action.
Then DECLARES that the abandonment OF
the western hemisphere By Spain was an
imperative necessity, but that the Phil
lppines stand on a different basis. de
says, .Ihe nreseuc9 and SUCCESS OF our
arms at Manila imposes upon US ooilga-
lions which we cannot disregard. 1he
march of events rules and oyerrules
human action
A few lines further on comes the plain,
unyarnis she'd order TO take territory; I'm
view OF what has been stated, the United
States cannot accept less than tne cession,
In Tuu right and sovereignty, OF the Is
land OF Luzon. 1t is desirabls, however,
that the Unitsd States shall acquire the
right OF entry for vessels and merchandise
belonging to citizens of the United States
into such ports Of the Philippines as are
not oeded TO the United States upon the
terms of equal favor with Spanish ships
and merchandise. both in relation to port
and customs charges and rates or trade
and commerce, together with other rights
OF protection and trade accorded to ctti-
zens of one country within the territory
of another You are. therefore, instruct
ed To demand such concession. agreeing
on your part that Spain shall have SINH
lar rights as to her subjects and vessels
in the ports of any territory In the Philip.
pines ceded to the United States ="
That the commissioners understood
their Instructions appsars in one OF the
iirs. despathes from MIR. Day to Mr.. Hay,
dated O5t 4, and which reads:
1.-The opinions OF Admiral Dewey In the
possession of the commission seem TO
favor retention OF Luzon alone, but ap-
pear TO have been given in answer to
questions as to which island in Philippine
islands the United States shall retain.
Ii this assumption is correct, will you,
IL It is deemed advisable, ascertain by
telegraph, through proper channel and tel
egfe ph us whet Ter the admiral has forme1 4
AN opinion, and, II so, wnat 1t is, on the
question whether IL would be beuter for
United States to retain Luzon and per-
haps one or two small adjacent Islands,
or the whole group"
In his third despatch, MIR, Day goss
into all the details OF the plans to take
the islands. In one place he says;
"Ihink 1t feasible for United States to
take Luzon and perhaps some adjacent
Islands and hold them as England does
her colonies Natives could not resist
5, 900 troops
Gan Merritt Is credited by Mr.. Day
with influencing the commission to take
the islands. MIR. Day says: "Merritt
thinks we hold Manila by conquest, and
that the protocol did not affect the
capituIation. he considered that the
surrender was virtually a surrender of the
Philippine Islands. de thinks 1t practi-
cable and unobj bjsctionable to hold Luzon
alone, where most OF the rebsllious feel
ing exists
'TGen. Merritt thinks that II United
States attempted TO take possession of
Luzon, or ali the groups, as colony,
AguinaIdo and his Immediate followers
would resist it, but his forces are divided
and his opposition would not amount to
anything"
This despatch ie dated Oct. 7, 1898.
nearly three months before the hostiIi-
ties with Aguinaldo began.
Answering questions or Mr.. heid,
Merritt sai1 he considered capture OF
Manila practically capture of group.
Nothing left OF Spanish sovereignty that
was not at mercy OF the United States
"Hs (Merritt) thought 1t would bs an
advantage If the United States would
change Its policy and keep the islands.