Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-02-14
THURSDAY EVENING. FEB. IA. 1901

ported the Spooner Dill concefp'nk wv
Government OF the Philippine ISLANDS
40 an amendment to the army appro-
nria,iop bill, and 1t is alleged that the
damoerats 10 the committee made no
oDposition to the reporting OF the
amendment. This may be true or not'
but it Is hoped that no democrat 10
Congress will vote for this proposition
a. il stands. The amendment says
that ..sll military and civil powers nee
essary to govern the Philippine Islands,
ACQUIRED from Spain by the treaties
concluded at Paris on the 10Th day
ofDecembsr, 1898, and at Washington
on The 9TH day Of November, lsoo'
shall until other wise provided by Con.
Dress he vested in such person and per-
sons and shall be exercised in sucn
manner as the President of the United
States shall direct for the establish
ment Of civil government and for main
tanning and protecting the inhabitants
of said islands in the free enjoyment
of their liberty, property and re-
ligiop; Provided, that ell franchises
granted under the authority hereof
shall contain a reservation OF the right
60 alter or repeal the same"
1t is an ample objection to this
amendment that 1t is full OF false state
mepts and cunning receptions calcu'
lated 70 put the democrats In false
petition If they agree to 1t. 10 the nrsI
place, the Philippines we're not acquired
from Spain by treaty. Spain had no
real, actual possession Of the islands
when she signed the peace protocoi.
She did indeed hold the city Of Manila,
but the Filipinos under Aguinsldo held
the remainder OF the island OF Luzon,
which was 80 per cent. of the whole
island. This fact is notorious. IL Will
not be pretended that Spain had q
moral right 10 the islands or to govern
thsir people. She simply gave the
Uoi,ed States quit claim deed to what
she no longer held or owned. Inc
American army captured Manila by
arms. but subsequently,, and before the
treaty OF peace was ratified, this gov
eminent proceeded to make war on the
Filipinos, destroy their government
and occupy the island OF Luzou. The
war has gone on without a declaration
of war by Congress up to this time.
Congress should stop 1t, but ifit JACKS
the virtue or the moral courage for this
proceeding, certainly it ought not to
approve q war lawless 10 Its origin, full
of treschery and cruelty, and violative
OF the principles upon which the
Independence OF this country as a
nation was founded. The administra'
TONS position is that their islands were
acquired by treaty, that Spain owned
the islands and the people and had q
right to sell them, and further
that they have right to use any
amount of force and cruelty to effect
the subjugstion of their people. No
democrat ought to defile and disgrace
himself or his party by giving even en-
implied sanction to such crime and
cruelty. With this war of subiugation
now going Oh, this proposed amendment
has the assurance to speak OF "main-
tanning and protecting the Inhabitants
of the islands In the free enjoyment OF
their liberty, property and religion" II
killing a man is the best way to protect
his liberty, property and religion, then
this amendment may be defended. We
hsys had since the republican party
was founded a vast amount Of hypoc-
risy, but nothing surely that exceeds
this. The administration is carrying
on its war, and it has the farce OF
civil government at Manila, known as
the Taft commission. 1t will 60 on In
this way until checked by public opin-
iou. There are not wanting indications
of reaction in public sentiment. To-
difference may soon give way to dis
gust at o wicked, causeless, cruel and
costly war. Democrats should stand
firm. II they consent to this amend.
meut by vote or speech IL will be claim
ed by the republicans that they are
committed to the Philippine war.
The proviso at the conclusion o: this
precious amendment in regard to fran
chises in the Philippines let's in flood
of light on the actual situation there,
and the plans Of the administration Of
ficisls. Under color Of "franc hises" there
is to be carnival Of jobbery and loot
Neely's Cuban steal is to be cast into
the shade. These plumber franchises"
are to stand until they are altered or re-
yoked. 1t is clear that this will be
very slow business, and meantime, I'm.
der cover of this clause. the administra-
ton will plead the right to give and
issue franchises without limit to its We
nal followers. All this is to be at the
expense OF an unfortunate people, once
our allies, whom we have used, deceived