The Springfield herald., 1904-10-28
TREATY OBLIGATIONS.
Their Bearing or Our Relations with
the Philippines.

Inc lf he enrtnR on our RelAtlOnb WhtA
the Philippines.
Spain in her dealings with the United
States had violated neither International
law nor treaty obligation, but had placed
a tyrannical government over Cuba. and
was using barbarous methods in trying
to suppress the insurrection there. The
United States declared war against
Spain for the violation OF high humani-
tartan principles. The war was quickly
over: Spain was conquered, 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 nre promises and obligations to
be kept by the United States.
Article ~. provides that for ten years
the United Stntes will admit Spanish ships
and merchandise to the ports of the Phil
and merchandise of the United States.
Article VIII. The REIMBURSEMENT or Sc Sc
property rights which by law belong to the
peaceful possession of property OF all kinds
of provinces. municipalities, public or pr.
bodies, or to private individuals. etc. When
any document in the archives Of the PENN
sula relates only In part TO said sovereignty.
a copy OF said part shall he furnished when
requested: such archives and records shall
be carefully preserved. and private persons
shall. without distinction, have the right
to require, In accordance with law, authen-
ticated copies of contracts. wills and other
Instruments.
IN. Spanish subjects residing In the ter
ritory may remain In such territory. or may
remove thercrrom. retaining In either event
all their rights to sell or dispose OF their
property, and they shall have the right 10
carry on their Industry. commerce and pro
fcssion. They may preserve their allegiance
to the Crown Of Spain; or adopt the nnti3n- t,'i
nlity of the territory In which they reside.
The civil rights and political status OF the
native inhabitants shall be determined by
x The Inhabitants shall be secured in
the free exercise of their religion.
NJ. The Spanlards residing In the ter
ritory shall have the same rights III the
MIL. Rights of property secured by
copyrights and patents acquired by span
iurds shall continue to he respected; Spnn-
ish scientific, literary and artistic WORKS
shall continue to be admitted free OF duty
for ten years.
will for the term of ten years accord to tho
merchant vessels of the other country ths
same treatment In respect to al port
charges, including entrance and clearance
dues, light and tonnage dues, as Is accorded
to Its own merchant vessels;
XVI. 1t Is understood that any obliga.
tions assumed In this treaty by the United
States In respect to Cubn. are limited to me
time Of Its occupancy thereof, but II VIII
upon the termination of such occupancy
advise any government established In the
Island to assume the same obligations.
1t is absolutely essential that the Unit
ed States should govern the islands in
order to fulfill the foregoing solemn OBJ
legations. II it granted independence
and Philippine government was estab-
lished, how then could the United States
make laws to admit ships and merchan-
disc into the ports OF that nation, or
make and enforce laws governing the
rights of property in that, foreign ma
tion? How could it protect the Spanish
citizen and his property rights there.
and allow NIL the free exercise of their
religion, and give equal rights to the
Spaniards in the courts? How could
Congress determine the civil rights and
political status of people living under
an Independent and foreign government?
In order to do all these things it must
have the authority and power. and il it
cedes this authority and power to an
independent nation 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 its
treaty obligations. IL the Democrats
come INTO power, VIII lney Violate InlS
one? II 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 boasted moralityT'
1t is said we should treat the Philip
pines 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 21st
article provides: 1T is understood that
any obligations assumed by the United
States with respect to Cuba are limited
to the time of its occupancy thereof,
but it will, upon the termination of such
occupancy. advise any government estab-
lshed in the islands to assume the same
This clinches the matter.
With reference to the Philippines we
agreed to do; in Cuba we agreed to ad-
wise others to do.
S. p. DOUTHART.
Chicago Oct IA 1901