Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-10-26
TREATY OBLIGATIONS.
Their Bearing on Our Relations with
the Philippines.

4
| Spain in her dealings with the United
states had violated neither International
law nor treaty obligation, but had placed
| Frah2ical government over Cuba. and
was using barbarous methods in trying
70 suppress the Instruction there. The
Ihited States declared war against
I SPAN Tor the violation OF high humani-
tafa'' principles. The war was quickly
over spain was cong lered, and at the
! mercy OF tie United States. A solemn
treaty was written, and sigaed. sealed
ana delivered by the two nations. In that
ktreaty are promises and obligations to
| pe Kept by the United States.
Article Nv. provides that for ten years
| the United States win admit Spanish ships
| and merchandise to the ports of the Phil
| lpplne Islands on the same terms as ships
/ and merchandise of the United States.
Article VIII. The REIMBURSEMENT or Sc
| cesslon 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 prl-
| waite establishments, ecclesiastical civic
| bodies. or TO private individuals. etc. When
| any document In the archives of the Penin-
| sula relates only in part to said sovereignty,
| copy of said part shall be furnished when
requested: such archives and records shall
| he carefully preserved, and private persons
| snail, without distinction, have the rlsht
| TO require, In accordance with law anthem
] ticated copies of contracts, Wills and other
| Instruments
! IN Spanish subjects residing in the ter
| ritory may remain in such territory. or may
1 remove therefrom. retaining In either event
| all their rights to sell or dispose or 'helr
| property, and they shall have the right 10
| carry on their industry commerce and pro-
| fession They may preserve their allegiance
| TO the Crown of Spain. or adopt the nation
| ality Of the territory in which they reside.
! he civil rights and political status Of the
native inhabitants shall be determined Dy
X The inhabitants shall he secured In
| the free exercise of their religion.
| NJ. The Spaniards residing In the ter
| ritory shall have the same rights IN the
| courts as other persons.
| Kill Rights Of property secured Dy
! copyrights and patents acquired ny span
] iards shall continue to he respected span
| ish scientific, literary and artlshe "0rks
shall continue to be admitted trec OIL uuty
| for ten years
XIV The government of each country
| will for the term of ten years accord 70 tne
| merchant vessels of the other country the
same treatment in respect to an port
charges including entrance and clearance
| dues light and tonnage dues, as Is aceorued
! to its own merchant vessels ,,t
| XVI. 1t is understood that any opisa,
| tions assumed ii this treaty by the uhlteu
| States in respect to Cuba, are Limited 70 Iug
| time of its occupancy thereof, but II VIII
| upon the termination Of such occupancy
| advise any government established III lHe
| 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. If it granted independence
and a Philippine government was estab'
lished how then could the United States
make laws to admit ships and merchan-
disc info 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 al the free exercise ii their
religion. and give equal right TO the
Spaniards in the courts? How could
Congress determine the civil rights and
political status of a people living under
an independent and foreign governmentF
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 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.
\ 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. 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
protested the highest standard Of moral
ity and declared war against me upon
high humanitarian principles, and when
| was conquered aid 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 morality?"
II is said we should treat the Philip
pi7cs as we have Cuba, and we should
MAKE the promise now. The treaty bars
the independence of the Philippines, but
il not III 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,
nut it will, upon the termination of such
occupancy, advise any government estab-
lished in the islands to assume the same
Obligations" This cinches the matter.
With reference to the Philippines We
agreed TO do; in Cuba we agreed to adj
wise Others to do
s. P. DOUTHART.
Chicago, Oct. A. 1904.