River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-10-27
TREATY OBLIGATIONS,
Their Bearing on Our II cations with
the Philippines


Spain in her dealings with the United
States had violated neither International
law nor trSaty obligation, but had placed
q tyrannical government owe; Cuba. and
was using barbarous methods in trying
to suppress the instruction there. The
United States declared war against
Spain for the violation of high humani-
tartan principles. The war was quickly
over; Spain was cong Iered, and at the
mercy of the United States. A solemn
treaty was written, and sigaed sealed
and delivered by the two nations. In that
treaty are promises and obligations to
be kept by the United States
Article " provides that for ten years
the United States will admit Spanish ships
and merchandise to the ports of the Phil
lpptne Islands on the same terms ships
and merchandise of the United States.
Article VIII The REIMBURSEMENT or Sc
cession cannot in any respect impair the
property rights which by law belong to the
peaceful possession Of property of all kinds
of provinces, municipalities, public or pri-
vate establishments, ecclesiastical or civic
bodies, or to private individuals, etc. When
any document in the archives Of the PENN
sua relates onlyin part to said sovereignty,
copy of said part shall be furnished when
requested; such archives and records shall
be carefully preserved and private persons
shall, without distinction, have the rght
to require. in accordance with law, anthem
tlcated copies or contracts, wills ana other
instruments.
TX. Spanish subjects residing In the ter
ritory may remain in such territory, or may
remove therefrom, retaining in either event
all their rights to sell or dispose OF their
property, and they shall have the right TO
carry on their Industry, commerce. and pro
feSson They may preserve their alleglahce
to the Crown of Spain, or adopt the nation
atty of the territory In which they reside.
The civil rights and political status OF the
native inhabitants shall be determined by
Congress.
X The Inhabitants shall be secured In
the free exercise of their religion.
XI. The Spaniards residing In the ter
ritory shall have the same rights IN Ihe
courts as other persons
Kill Rights of property secured py
copyrights and patents acquired oy SPIN
iards shall continue to be respeeted' span,
ish scientific literary and artistic works
shall continue to be admitted free OF duty
for ten years.
XIV. The government Of each country
will for the term of ten years accord 70 the
merchant vessels of the other country INC
same treatment In respect to an port port
charges including entrance ana clearance
dues, light and tonnage dues, as IS accoIueu
to its own merchant vessels. M.
XVI. 1t Is understood that any 0bliga,
lions assumed in this treaty by lhe uhltso
States in respect to Cuba, are ilnhItu ~ v NY
time Of its occupancy thereof, nut II Wiz
upon the termination of such occupancy
advise any government estabnshSu III ING
Island to assume the same Obligations
1t is absolutely essential that the Unit
ed States should govern the ISLANDS III
order to fulfill the foregoing solemn oD-
legations. If it granted independence
and a Philippine government was estan-
lshed, how then could the United States
make laws to admit ships and merchah-
disc into the ports of that nation, or
make and enforce laws governing the
rights of property in that, a foreign ma
ton? How could it protect the Spanish
citizen and his property rights there
and allow all the free exercise of their
religion, and give equal rights to the
Spanards in the courts? How could
Congress determine the civil rights and
political status of a people living under
an independent and foreign governments
In order to do all these things it must
have the authority and power, and If it
cedes this authority and power to an
Independent uation it then is helpless
and cannot fulfill its sacred treaty obli-
cations. Therefore, it appears that the
United States, by treaty, has agreed to-
hold and govern the islands, not only
for ten years, but for all time to come.
A treaty is the highest and most sacred
contract written among men. For one
hundred and fifteen years the United
States has kept and fulfilled all it's
treaty obligations. If the Democrats
come into power, will they violate this
one? If so, in the future what answer
can we make to Spain when she has
filed claims against us, based upon the
violation Of this treaty, and said You
professed the highest standard of moral
ity and declared war against me upon
high humanitarian principles, and when
| was conquered and helpless, and you
could write anything you chose into the
treaty. YOU did write solemn obligations
to be kept and performed by you, and
now you have willfully violated that
which is most sacred among nations;
where is your boosted moralityY
1t is said we should treat the Philip
mines as we have Cuba, and we should
make the promise now. The treaty bars
the independence of the Philippines, but
is not in the way Of Cuba The list
article provides: "It is understood that
anv obligations assumed by the United
States with respect to Cuba are limited
to the time of it's occupancy thereof,
but it will, upon the termination of such
occupancy, advise any government estab-
lished in the islands to assume the same
obligations" This clinches the matter.
With reference to the Philippines we
agreed to do; in Cuba we agreed to ad-
wise others to do.
s. r. DOUTHART.
Chicago, Oct. IA, 1904