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About Corvallis gazette. (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 25, 1900)
NOMINATION OFT status of tbe native Inhabitants of the terri tories hereby ceded to the United States hall be determined by the Congress." Eleven days thereafter, on Dee. 21, tbe fol lowing direction was given to the command er of onr forces In the Philippines: "The military commander of the United tates la enjoined to make known to the In habitants of the Philippine Islands that, in succeeding to the sovereignty of Spain. In severing the former political relations of tbe inhabitants and In establishing a new polit ical power, the antbority of the United States Is to be exerted for the securing of the persons and property of the people of the Islands and for the confirmation of all their private rights and relations. It will 'be the duty of tbe commander of the forces of occupation to announce and proclaim In the most public manner that we come not s Invaders or conquerors, but as friends, to protect the natives In their homes. In their employments and In their personal and re ligions rights." Sent a Commission. la order to facilitate the most humane, pacific and effective extension of authority throughout these Islands, and to secure, with the least possible delay, the benefits of a wise and generous protection of life and property to the Inhabitants. I appointed In January, 1801), a commission consisting of Jacob Gould Schurman of New York. Ad miral George Dewey, G. S. N.: Charles Denby of Indiana, Professor Dean C. Wor cester of Michigan, and Major General El wsll B. Otis, U. S. A. Their Instructions contained the following: "In the performance of this duty the com missioners are enjoined to meet at the tirllest possible day In the city of Manila, and to announce by public proclamation their presence and the mission Intrusted to them, carefully setting forth that, while the military government already proclaimed is to be maintained and continued so long as necessity may require, efforts will be made to alleviate the burden of taxation, to estab lish Industrial and commercial prosperity, nnd to provide for the safety of persons and of property by such means as may be found conducive to these ends. Given Carefnl instructions. "The commissioners will endeavor, with out Interference with the military authori ties of tbe United States now In control of the Philippines, to ascertain what ameliora tion in the condition of the Inhabitants and what Improvements in public order may be practicable, and for this purpose they will study attentively the existing soda! and po Utlcai state of the various populations, par ticularly as regards the forms of local gov ernment, the administration of justice, the collection of customs and other taxes, the means of transportation, nnd the need of public Improvements. They will report the results of their observations and reflections, and will recommend such execu tive action as may from time to time seem to them wise and useful. "The commissioners are hereby authorized to confer authoritatively with any persons resident In the islands from whom they may believe themselves able to derive informa tion or suggestions valuable for the pur poses of their commission, or whom they may choose to employ as agents, as may be necessary for this purpose. Avoided Harsh Measures. "It Is my desire that In all their relations with the Inhabitants of the Islands the com missioners exercise due respect for all the ideals, customs and Institutions of the tribes which compose tbe population, emphasizing npon all occasions tbe just and beneficent In tentions of tbe government of tbe United States. "It la also my wish and expectation that the commissioners may be received In a manner one to the honored nnd authorized representatives of the American Republic, duly commissioned on account of their knowledge, skill and Integrity as bearers of the good will, the protection and the richest blessings of n liberating rather than a con c,nerieg nation." On the 6th of February. 1S90, the treaty was ratified by the Senate of the United States, and the Congress immediately ap propriated $20,000,000 to carry out Its pro visions. The ratifications were exchanged by tbe United States and Spain on the 11th f April, 1880. As early as April, 1S00, the Philippine commission, of which Dr. Schurman was president, endeavored to bring about peace In tbe Islands by repeated conferences with leading Tsgalogs representing the so-called Insusgent government, to tbe end that some general plan of government might be offered them which tbey would accept. Pleased the Natives. Bo great was the satisfaction of the Insur gent commissioners with the form of gov ernment proposed by the American com missioners that the latter submitted the proposed scheme to mc for approval, and my action thereon is shown by the cable mes sage following: "May 5, 1800. Schurman, Manila: Yours 4th received. You are authorized to propose that, under the military power of the Presi dent, pending action of Congress, govern ment of the Philippine Islands shall consist of a governor general appointed by the .President, cabinet appointed by the govern or general, a general advisory council elect ed by the people, the qualifications of elect ors to be carefully considered and deter mined, and the governor general to hare ab solute veto. Judiciary strong and Inde pendent, principal judges appointed by the President. Tbe cabinet and judges to be chosen from natives or Americans, or both, having regard to fitness. "Tbe President earnestly desires the cessa tion of bloodshed and that the people of tbe Philippine Islands at an early date shall have the largest measure of local self-government consistent with peace and good order. Signs of Treachery. In tbe latter part of May another group Of representatives came from the Insurgent leader. The whole matter was fully dis cussed with them and promise of acceptance seemed near at band. They assured our commissioners they wonld return after con sulting with their leader, but they never did. As a result of the views expressed by the trst'Tagalog representative favorable to tbe plan of tbe commission. It appears that he Was, by military order of tbe Insurgent leader, stripped of his shoulder straps, dis missed from tbe army and sentenced to twelve years' Imprisonment. Tbe views of the commission are best set forth la their own words: "Deplorable as war Is. the one in which we ST now engaged was unavoidable by us. .We were attacked by a bold, adventurous and enthusiastic army. No alternative was left to us except ignominious retreat. Had to Remain. "It is not to be conceived of that any American would have sanctioned the sur render of Manila to the Insnrgents. Our ob ligations to other nations and to the friendly Filipinos and to ourselves and our flag de manded that force should be met with force. Whatever the future of the Philippines may be. there is no course open to us now except the prosecution of the war until the Insur gents are reduced to submission. "The commission is of the opinion that there has been no time since tbe destruction of the Spanish squadron by Admiral Dewey when It was possible to withdraw our forces from the islands either with honor to our selves or with safety to the inhabitants." After the most thorough study of the peo ples of the archipelago the commission re ported, among other things: "Their lack of education and political ex perience, combined with their racial and linguistic diversities, disqualify them. In spite of their mental gifts and domestic vir tues, to undertake the task of governing the archipelago at the present time. The most that can be expected of them Is to co-operate with the Americans in the administra tion of general affairs, from Manila as a center, and to undertake, subject to Amer ican coDtro! or guidance fas may be found necessary) the administration of provincial and municipal affairs. Would Invite Anarchy. "Should our power by any fatality be withdrawn, the commission believes that the government of the Philippines would speed ily lapse into anarchy, which would excuse, If It did not necessitate, the intervention of other powers, and the eventual division of the islands among them. Only through American occupation, therefore. Is the Idea of a free, self-governing and united Philip pine commonwealth at all conceivable. "Thus the welfare of the Filipinos coin cides with the dictates of national honor in forbidding our abandonment of the archi pelago. We cannot from any poiht of view escape the responsibilities of government which our sovereignty entails, and the coin mission is strongly persuaded that the per formance of our national duty will prove the greatest biesstac to the people of the Philippine Islands." Satisfied that nothing further could be ac eoniplished in pursuance of their mission until the rebellion was suppressed, and de siring to. place before the Congress the re sult of their observations, l requested the commission to return to the United States. Their most Intelligent and comprehensive report, was submitted to Congress. Duties of the Commission. In March. 1000, believing that the Insur rectiou was practically ended and earnestly desiring to promote the establishment of a stable government in the archipelago, I ap pointed the following civil commission: William H. Taft of Ohio, Professor Dean C. Worcester of Michigan. Luke I. Wright of Tennessee, Henry C. lde of Vermont, and Bernard Moses of California. My Instruc tions to them contained the following: "You (the Secretary of War) will Instruct the commission to devote their at tention In the first Instance to the establish ment of municipal governments. In which the natives of the islands, both In the cities and In the rural communities, shall be af forded the opportunity to manage their own local affairs to the fullest extent of which they are capable and subject to the least de gree of supervision and control which a care ful study of their capacities and observation of the workings of native control show to be consistent with the maintenance of law, or der and loyalty. "'' Awaits the Report. "Whenever the commission Is of the opin Ion that tbe condition of affairs Id the isl ands Is such that the central administration may safely be transferred from military to civil control they will report that conclu sion to you tthe Secretary of War), with their personal recommendations as to the form of central government to he estab lished Tor the purpose of taking over the control. "liegi unlug with the 1st day of Septem ber, lyuo, the authority to exercise, subject to my approval through the Secretary of War, that part of the power of government In the Philippine Islands which is of a leg islative nature is to be transferred frcm the military governor of the Islands to this com mission, to be thereafter exercised by them in the place and stead of the military gov ernor, under such rules and regulations as you (tne secretary or war) shall prescribe, until the establishment of the civil central government for tbe islands contemplated in tbe last foregoing paragraph or until Con gress shall otherwise provide. Legislative Author ty. "Exercise of this legislative authority will include the making of rules and orders hav ing tbe effect of law for the raising of reve nue by taxes, customs duties and Imposts; tbe appropriation and expenditure of the public funds of the islands: the establish ment of an educational system throughout the Islands: the establishment of a system to secure an efficient civil service; the or ganization and establishment of courts; the organization aud establishment of municipal and departmental governments, nnd all other matters of a civil nature of which the military governor is now competent to pro vide by rirles or orders of a legislative char acter. The commission will also have power durlug the same period to appoint to office such iiflicers uuder the judicial, edu cational and civil service systems aud in the municipal and departmental governments as shall be provided." Rules for tbe Interim. Until Congress sriall take action I directed that: 'Upon every division and branch of the government of the Philippines must be Im posed these Inviolable rules: That do per son shall be deprived of life, liberty or prop erty without due process of law; that pri vate property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation; that In all criminal prosecutions tbe accused shall en joy the right to a speedy and public trial, to le Informed of tbe nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with the wit nesses against him, to have compulsory process for obtaluiug wttuesses lu his favor, uud to have the assistance of counsel for his defense; that excessive ball shall not be re quired, nor excessive fines Imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment Inflicted; that no person shall be put twice in jeopardy for the same offense, or be compelled In any crimi nal case to be o witness against himself; that the right to be secure against unreason able searchers and seizures shall not be vio lated; that neither slavery nor Involuntary servitude shall exist except ns a punishment for crime: that no bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed; that no law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, or the rights of the people to peaceably assemble and petition the govern ment for a redress of grievances; that no law shrill be made respecting the establish ment of religion or prohibiting the free ex ercise thereof, ond that the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship without discrimination or prefer ence shall forever be allowed. Extending Kdtication. "It will be the duty of the commission to promote and extend, and. as they find occa sion, to improve, tbe system of education already Inaugurated by the military authori ties. In doing this they should regard as of first Importance the extension of a system of primary education which shall be free to all. aud which shall tend to fit the people for the duties of citizenship, and for the or dinary avocations of a civilized community. Especial attention should be at once given to affording full opportunity to all the people of the islands to acquire the use of the English language. "Upon all officers and emploves of tbe United States, both civil and military, should be impressed a sense of the duty to observe not merely the material but the per sonal and social rights of the people of the Islands, and to treat them with the same courtesy and respect for their personal dig nity which the people of the United States are accustomed to require from each other. All Pledges Kept. "The articles of capitulation of the City of Manila on the 13th of August, 1S98. con cluded with these words: 'This city. Its In habitants, its churches, and religious wor ship. Its educational establishments and Its private property of all descriptions, are placed under the special safeguard of the faltb and honor of the American army.' "I believe that this pledge has ben faith fully kept. As high and sacred an obligation rests upon tbe government of the United States to give protection for property and life, civil and religious freedom, and wise, firm and unselfish guidance In the paths of peace and prosperity to all the people of the Philippine Islands.' I charge this commis sion to labor for the full performance of this obligation, which concerns the honor and conscience of their country. In the firm hope that through their labors all the Inhabitants of the Philippine Islands may come to look back with gratitude to the day when God gave victory to American arms at Manila and set their land under the sovereignty and the protection of the people of the i'uited States." Amnesty Proclaimed. That ail might share lu the regeneration of the islands and participate In their gov ernment, I directed Gen. MacArthur, the military governor of the Philippines, to Is sue a proclamation of amnesty, which con tained among other statements the follow ing: "Manila. P. I.. June 21. 1000. By direction of the President of the United Stales the undersigned announces amnesty, with com plete Immunity for the past and absolute liberty of action for the futnre. to all per sons who are now, or at any time since Feb. 4, 1800, have been In insurrection against the United States In either a mili tary or civil capacity, and who shall, within a period of ninety days from the date there of, formally renounce all connection with such Insurrection and subscribe to a dec- Striking Phrases from President McKinley's Letter. It will be noted that the (Democratic) demand Is for the Immediate restora i of the free coinage of silver at 10 To 1. If another issue is paramount, tuis tlon is immediate t wiil admit of uo delay We accept the issue and again invite tbe sound money forces to join in win ning another and we hope a permanent triumph for an honest financial system which will continue inviolable tbe public faith. It is our purpose to establish In the Philippines a government suitable to the wants and conditions of the inhabitants, and to prepare thein for self-government, aud to give them self-government when they are ready for it, and as rapidly as they are readv for it. There has been no time since the destruction of the enemy's fleet when we could or should have left the Philippine archipelago. After the treaty of peace was ratified no power but Congress could surrender our sovereignty or alienate a foot of the territory thus acquired. Every effort has. been directed to their (Filipinos) peace and prosperity, their advancement and well-being, not for cur aggrandizement or for pride of mignt, not for trade or common e, not for exploitation, but for humanity aud civilization. The American question Is between duty and desertion. The American verdict will be for duty and against desertion, for the republic against both anarchy and Imperialism. Honest co-operation of capital is necessary to meet new business conditions, and extend our rapidly increasing foreign trade, but conspiracies aud combina tions intended to restrict business, create monopolies and control prices should be effectively restrained. For labor a short dav Is better than a short dollar. Unless something unforeseen occurs to reduce onr revenues or increase onr ex penditures, the Cougress at its next session should reduce taxation very ma terially. We ought to own the ships for onr carrying trade with the world, and we ought to build them In American shipyards and man them with American sailors. 5 !ocrxoXN3oocxx laratlon acknowleding and accepting the sovereignty and authority of the cnlied States iu and over the Philippine islands. "The privilege herewith published is ex tended to all concerned without any reser vation whatever, excepting that persons who have violated the laws of war during the period of uctive hostilities are not embraced within the scope of this amnesty. Pay ufferctl tor Rifles. "in order lo mltigrate as mncb as possible consequences resulting from the various dis turbances which siuce lBlS have succeeded each other so rapidly, and to provide in some measure for destitute Filipino soldiers during the transitory period which must inevitably succeed a general peace, the mili tary authorities of the United States will pay 80 pesos to each uiuu who presents a tide in good condition." Under their Instructions the commission, composed of representative Americans of different sections of the country and from different political parties, whose character and ability guarantee the most faithful in telligence and patriotic service, are now laboring to establish stable government tin der civil control, iu which the inhabitants shall participate, giving them opportunity to demonstrate how far they are prepared for self-government. Quotes the Commission. This commission, under date of Aug. 21, 1900, makes an interesting report, from which I quote the following extracts: "Hostility against Americans was orig inally aroused by absurd falsehoods of uu scrupulous leaders. The distribution of troops in 300 posts baa by contact largely dispelled hostility, and steadily improved temper of people. This Improvement is fur i beted by abuses of insurgents. Large num bers of people long for peace and are willing to accept government uuder the United States. "Insurgents not surrendering after defeat divided into small guerrilla bauds under gen eral officers or became robbers. Nearly all of the prominent generals and politicians of the Insurrectiou, except Aguiualdo, have since been captured or have surrendered and taken the oath of allegiance. "All northern Luzon, except two provinces, substantially free from insurgents. People busy plautiug, and- asking for municipal or ganization. Hallway and telegraph lines from Manila to Dagupan. 122 miles, not mo lested for five months. Plan Native Militia. "Tagalogs alone active in leading guerrilla warfare. In Negros. Cebu, Komblou, Mas bate. Sibuyan. Tablas, Bohol and other Phil ippine Islands little disturbance exists, aud ..ii-ll vm-ornmciiit oe. (,nit e nwnitH Four year,s or war anu lawlessness In parts of if Islands have created unsettled con- ditlons. Native constabulary and militia, which should be organized at once, will end this and the terrorism to which de fenseless people are subjected. The natives desire to enlist iu these organizations. If judiciously selected and otbeerod. will be efficient forces for maintenance of order, and will permit early material reduction of United States troops. "Turning islands over to coterie of Taga log politicians will blight fair prospects of enormous improvement, drive ont capital make life and property secular and relig- j lous most Insecure; banish by fear of cruel ' proscription considerable body of conserva- ! t.ve Filipinos who have aided Americans in well-founded belief that their people ar? not now fit for self-government, and relntro duce same oppression and corruption which existed In all provinces under Malolos In surgent government during the eight months of Its control. The result will be factional strife between jealous leaders, chaos and anarchy, and will require and justify active intervention of onr government or some other. Trade Follows Peace. "Bnslness interrupted by war mncb Im proved as peace extends. In Negros more sugar In caltivatloa than ever before. New forestry regulations give impetus to timber trade and reduce high price of lum ber. The customs collections for last quar ter 50 per cent greater than ever in Spanish history, and August collections show fur ther increase. The total revenue for same period one-third greater than in any quarter under Spain, though cedula tax chief source of Spanish revenue, practically abolished. "Economy and efficiency of military gov ernment have created surplus fund of $6, 000,000, which should be expended in much needed public works, notably improvement of Manila harbor. With proper tar iff and faculties Manila will become great port of Orient." The commission is confident that "by a judicious customs law, reasonable laud tax and proper corporation franchise tax. Im position of no greater rate than that In the average American State will give less an noyance and with peace will produce reve nues sufficient to pay expenses of efficient government, Including militia and constabu lary. " No Sign of Alliance. They "are preparing a stringent civil ser vice law giving equal opportunity to Fili pinos and Americans, with preference for the former where qualifications are equal, to enter at the lowest rank and by promotion reach the head of the department. "Forty-five miles of railroad extension under negotiation will give access to a large province rich in valuable minerals, n mile high, with strictly temperate climate. Uailroad construction will give employment to many and communication will furnish a market 'to vast stretches of rich agricultural lands." . They report that there are "calls from all parts of the Islands for public schools, sr-hoof supplies and English teachers, greater than the commission can provide until a comprehensive school system Is organized. Night schools for teaching English to adults are being established in response to popular demand. Native children show aptitude In learning English. Spanish Is spoken by a small fraction of the people, and lu a few vears the medium of communication iu the courts, public offices and between different tribes will be English. Working for Humanity. "Creation of central government within eighteen months, under which substantially all rights described iu the bill of rights in the federal constitution are to be secured to the people of the Philippines, will bring to them contentment, prosperity, education and political enlightenment." This shows to my countrymen what has been and Is being done to bring the benefits of libertv and good government to these wards of' the nation. Every effort has been and will suffer no postponement. a;, ft,.!- .-J .. ij.Mretrj nnd the Congress which added Its 'X..'' "' V i ,i '"""l",'". ineir grandizemeut nor for pride of might, not for ....... ...... u.v u. ,,u , ,-11-171-1 OJj,. lllll lot our a traoe or commerce, not for exploitation, but for humanity and civilization, and for the protection of the vast majority of the popu lation who welcome onr sovereignty against the designing minority whose first" demand after the surrender, of Manila by the Span ish army was to enter the city that thev nigni loot it anu Destroy those not in sym vsivj tvnii meir semsn signs. ana treacherous de- Civil Service to Rnle, Nobody who will avail himself of the facts will longer hold that there was anv alliance between our soldiers and the Insurgents or that any promise of independence was made to them. Long before their leader had reached Manila they bad resolved. If tbe comtnauner or tue American navy would EV..i .C ' " ", . " IO ngut ,De" hlch to fight the) d later turn upon ouslv and w-ithont . j.. i .nil..,, uiry noun. IIIMT I U III UOOIi us. which they did murderously and without , ..v.. .,c- .-. . .m.-.-m........ o. cuc o. ji.siiiicauon. t here may be those without the means of . full Information who believe that we were ! In nlllance with the Insurgents und that we ! assured them that they should have Inde-j pendence. To such let me repeat the facts:! On the 2Ctn of May, 1808, Admiral Dewey was instructeo ny me to make no alliance with any party or factlou lu the Phllinnlnes that would Incur liability to maintain their cause In the future, and he replied under date of June 6, 1K0S: nave acieu according to spirit of depart- ment s instructions from the beginning, and I have entered Into uo alliance with the In surgents or with any faction. This squadron can reduce the defenses of Manila at anv moment, nut it ts considered useless until ihe arrival of sufficient United States forces to retain possession." Denies Any Compact. In the report of the first Philippine com- mlsslou, submitted on Nov. 2, lS'JO, Admiral uewey, one or its members, said: "No alliance of any kind was entered into with Agulnaldo nor was any promise of In dependence made to hlni at any time." (ieneral Merrltt arrived In the PblllpDlnes - I . . 1 ' ,-. 1 1 .. i : . . . . . on July 23, 1S0S, and a iispateh from Ad- mlral Dewey to the government at Wash ington said: "Merrltt arrived yesterday. Situation Is most critical at Manila. The Spanish may surrender at any moment. Merrltt's most difficult problem will be how to deal with the Insurgents under Aguiualdo, who have become aggressive and even threatening to ward our army." Here is revealed the spirit of the insur gents as early as July, IMis, before the pro ",v"' "" "o-'- " . f"sr.u "a,;r war fJ". r.ven men the Insurgents were threatening our army. Filipinos Took No Part. On Aug. 13 Manila was captured, and of this and subsequent events the Philippine commission says: "When the City of Manila was taken, Aug. 13, the Filipinos took no part in the attack, hut came following In with a view to loot ing the city and were only prevented from doing so by our forces preventing thein from entering. Agulnaldo claimed that he had the right to occupy the city. He demanded of General Merrltt the palace of Mai for himself and the cession of a icaaan all the churches of Manila, also that a part of the of war should be given up. and. above all. that he should be given the arms of the Spanish prisoners. Ait these demands were refused. No Promise Made. Generals Merrltt, Jireene and Anderson, who were in command at the beginning of our occupation and until the surrender of Manila, state that there was no alliance , won Lue lu&urgeuis anu uo promise 10 luciii . inrui, uniy . Hanging tne relation from priu of Independence. On Aug. 17, 1S08, General ; cipal. which now exists, to that of suretv. Merrltt was instructed that there must be j Our responsibility Is to remain, but our pow no joint occupation of Manila with the in- j er Is to be diminished. Our obligation Is to surgents. General Anderson, under date of be no less, but our title la to be surrendered Feb. 10, 1000, says that he was present at the Interview between Admiral Dewey and the insurgent leader, and that In this Inter view Admiral Dewey made no promises whatever. He adds: "He tAguinaldo) asked me If my govern ment was going to recognize his govern ment. 1 answered that 1 was there simply In a military capacity: that I could not ac knowledge his government, because I had no authority to do so." Easy to Find Fault. Wonld not our adversaries have sent Dewey's fleet to Manila to capture and de stroy the Spanish sea power there, or. dis patching It there, would tbey have with drawn it after the destruction of the Span ish fleet; and if the latter, whither would they have directed to sail? Where could It have gone? What port in the Orient was opened to It? Do onr adversaries condemn the expedi tion under the command of General Merrltt to strengthen Dewey in the distant ocean and assist in our triumph over Spain, with which nation we were at war? Was It not our highest duty to strike Spain at every vulnerable point, that the war might be successfully concluded at the earliest prac ticable moment? Asks for Honest Opinion. And was It not our duty to protect the lives and property of those who came within our control by the fortunes of war? Could we have come away at any time between May 1, 1S08, and the conclusion of peace without a stain upon our good name? Could we have come away without dishonor nt any time after the ratification of the peace treaty by the Senate of the United States? There has been no time since the destruc tion of the enemy's fleet when we could or should have left the Philippine archipelago. After the treaty of peace was ratified uo power but Congress could surrender our sovereignty or alienate a foot of the terri tory thus acquired. The Congress has not seen fit to do the one or the other, and the President had no authority to do either. If he had been so Inclined, which he was not. So long as the sovereignty remains lu us It Is the duty of the executive, whoever he may be. to uphold that sovereignty, and If It be attacked to suppress its assailants. Would our political adversaries do less? Begun by Insurgents. It has been asserted that there would have been no fighting In the Philippines If Con gress had declared its purpose to give Inde pendence to the Tagal Insurgents. The In surgents did not wait for the action of Cou gress. They assumed the offensive, they opened fire on qur army. Those who assert our responsibility for the beginning of the conflict have forgotten that before the treaty was ratified in the Senate, and wtdle it was being debated In that body, and while the Bacon resolution was under discussion, on Feb. 4. 1800. the insurgents attacked tbe American army, after being previously advised that the American forces were uuder orders not to fire upon them except In defense. The pa pers found in the recently captured archives of the insurgents demonstrate that this at tack had been carefully planned for weeks before it occurred. Only ttne Conrse Open. Their unprovoked assault upon our sol dlcrs at a time when the Senate was delib crating upon tiie treaty shows that no ac tion on our part except surrender and aban donment would have prevented the fighting, ami leaves no doubt in any fair mind where the responsibility rests for the shedding of American blood; With all the exaggeraled pbrasemaklng of this electoral contest, we are in danger of being diverted from the real contention We are iu agreement with all of those who sup ported the war with Spain, aud also with those who counseled the ratification of the treaty of peace. Upon these two great es sential steps there can be no issue, nnd out of these came ail of oar responsibilities. If others would shirk the obligations imposed by the war and the treaty, we must decline to act further with them, and here the issue was made. " It Is our purpose to establish In the Philip pines a government suitable to the wan's aud conditions of the inhabitants, aud to prepare them for self-goverunieut, and to give them self-government when they are ready for it. and as rapid! as rhcy are ready for It. That 1 am aiming to do under my constitutional authority, and wlil con tinne to do uutil Cougress shall determine ;he political status of the Inhabitants of the archipelago. Plea for Consistency. Are our opponents against the treaty? If so, they most lie reminded that It could not have been ratified in the Senate but for their assistance. The Senate which ratified the sanction by a large appropriation comprised Senators and Representatives of the people of all parties. ("while tbetr nulliueatton I openly advocated Would our opponents surrender to the in- at home. Our oppciinit may d:s ru I hetu surgents. abandon our sovereignty or cede it ' selves, but Ihey have no right to discredit to them? If that be not their purpose, then the good faith and patrtotlsiu of the major it should be promptly disclaimed, fur only Ity of the people who are opposed to i hem. evil can result from the hopes raised by onr They may fear the worst form of imperlai opponents In the minds of the Filipinos, that istu with the helpless Filipinos it, their with their success at the polls lu November there will be a withdrawal of our army an ; Qf American sovereignty over the arciiipela go. the complete Independence or the I aga- log neople recognized and the powers or goverumeut over aU the other peoples of the; sen its devotion to the Declaration of lndo Hrohlpelugo conferred upon the Tagalog pendence. That Immr.rtal Instrument of the leaders. j fathers remained unexecuted until th? peo- Prolongs the Rebellion. pie under the b ad of the Republican party The effect of a belief in the minds of the ' ?f """i- ."'"1 p insurgems that this will be done has nl- j S5T. ., ,h(, ...,,cndinents anaranteelns no ready prolonged the rebellion and Jtacre & ,ue u-e.si'y ,ur comiim. uce oi a aqjv 'he necessity for the continuance of a large hJ, army. It Is now delaying full peace lu the; ' areliioelniro aud the establishment of c!vilif5. ' HIUIJ. 11 IS HOW lieiil.llllg 1U1I yfUW IU 1T j archipelago aud the establishment of ctvij . j , . . , gov criillieuis, ami ua .....ueueeu u..i. ol the Insurgents against accepting the liberal terms of amnesty offered by lieu. MacAr bur i under my direction. But for these raise I hopes a considerable reduction could have ben hud in our military establishment In the t Philippines aud the realization of a stable: government would be already at nana. I The American people are asked by our op poBenta to yield the sovereignty of the United Slates in the Philippines to a small j fraction of the population, a single tribe out ; or eighly or more inhabiting tue arcnipeia faetiou which waiitonlv attached the American troops in Manila while in right ful possession under the protocol with Spain, awaiting the ratification of the treaty of peace bv the Senate, and which has siuce i been iu active, open rebellion against the I. nited States. We are asked to transfer our sovereignty to a small minority in tne Islands without cousnltlng the majority and j to abandon the largest portion of the popu lation, which has been loyal to us, to the j cruelties of the guerrilla Insurgent bands. Demands Cannot He Met. More than this, we are asked to protect this minority lu establishing a government. i 0UQ to thls e.Di repress all opposition of the majority. We are reauired to set up a sta hie government iu the Interest of those who have assailed our sovereignty aud fired upon our soldiers, and then maintain it at any cost or sacrifice against its enemies within and against those having ambitious designs from without. This would require an army and navy far larger than Is now maintained In ihe Philip pines and still more In eX'-ess of what will be necessary with the full recognition of our sovereignty. A military support of author ity not onr own, as thps proposed, is the very essence of militarism, which our opponents in their platform oppose, but which by their policy would of necessity be established In its most otnensive rorm. No Premium on Murder. The American people will not make the ' murderers of our soldiers the agents of the j republic to convey the blessings of liberty t and order to the Philippines. They will not make them the builders of the new common : wealth. Such a course would be a betrayal of onr sacred obligations to the peaceful Fili pinos, and would place at the mercy of dan i gerous adventurers the lives and property of the natives and foreigners. It would make possible and easy the commission of such , atrocities ns were secretly planned, to be executed on the 22d of February. 1800, lu i the City of Manila, when oulv the vigilance of our army prevented the attempt to assas sinate onr soldiers and all foreigners nnd pillage and destroy the city and its surround ings. In short, the proposition of those onnosed to us to continue all the obligations In the Philippines which now rest upon the govern to another power, which is without experi ence or training, or the ability to maintain a stable government at home and absolutely helpless to perform Its International obliga tions with the rest of the world. Will Defend Our Title. To this we are opposed. We should not yield our title while our obligations last. In the language of our platform, "Our au thority should not be less than our responsi bility," and our present responsibility Is to establish our authority lu every part of the Islands, No government can so certainly preserve the peace, restore public order, establish law, justice and stable condltious as ours. Neither Congress nor the Executive can es tablish a stable government iu these Islands except under our right of sovereiguty. our authority and our flag. Aud this we are do ing. We could not do it as a protectorate power so completely or bo successfully as we ar doing it now. As the sovereign power we can Initiate actiou nnd shape means to ends, and guide the Filipinos to self-development and self-government. As a protectorate power we could not Ini tiate ataion. hut would be compelled to fol low and uphold a people with no capacity yet to go alone, in the one case we can pro tect both ourselves and the Filipinos from being Involved In dangerous complications; in The other we could not protect even the Filipinos until after their trouble had come. Consent of the Governed. Besides.-If we cannot establish any gov ernment of our own without the consent of the governed, as our opponents contend, then we could not establish a stable govern ment for them or make ours a protectorate without the like consent, and neither the majority of the people nor a minority of the people have invited us to assume It. . o couid not maintain a protectorate even with the consent of the governed without giving provocation for conflict aud possibly costly wars. Our rights In the Philippines are now free from outside Interference and will continue so In our present relations. They would not be thus free in any other relation. We will not give up our owu to guarantee another sovereignty. Our title is good. Our peace commission ers believed they were receiving a good title when they concluded the treaty. The execu tive believed it was a good title when hs submitted it to the Senate of the United States for Its ratification. The Senate be lieved it was h gooil title wheu they gave it their constitutional assent, and the Con gress seems not to have doubted Its com pleteness when they appropriated $i0,00!),0J0 provided by the treaty. Title Is lina,uetion'tble. If any who favored Its ratification believed it gave us a bad title they were not sincere. Our title Is practically Identical wltTi that under which we hold our territory acquired since the beginning of the government, and under which we bare exercised full sov ereignty and established government for the inhabitants. It is worthy of noie that no one outside of the United States disputes the fullness and integrity of the cession. What, then, Is the real Issue on this subject? Whether It is paramount to any oilier or not. It is whether we shall be responsible for the government of the Philippines, with the sovereignty aud" authority which enables ns lo guile them to regulated liberty, law. safety am! progress, or whether we shall be responsible fur the forcible anil arbitrary government of a mi nority, without sovereignty and authority on onr part, and with only the embarrass ment of a protectorate, which draws us Into their troubles without the power of prevent ing them. Obligations of War. There were lhoe who two years ago vere rushing ns on to war with Spain who are unwilling now to accept its vicar conse quences, ns there are those among us who advocated the ratification of the treaty of peace, but now protest against Its obliga tions. Nations which go lo war must be prepared to accept Its resultant obligations, and when they make treaties must keep them. Those who profess to distrust the liberal and honorable purposes of the administra tion In its treatment of the Philippines are not Justified. Imperialism has uo place is its creed or conduct. Freedom is a. rock up on which the Republican, party was bunded and now resls. Liheviy Is the great Republi can doctrine for which the people went to. war and for which a million lives were of fered and billions of dollars expended to make it a lawful legacy of all without las consent of master or slave. Strain of II v rjocriny. There Is a strain of III concealed hypocrisy In the anxiety to extend the consttt uttoanl guarantees lo the people of the Philippines, hands, hut if tney flu M i inse th'-v have parted with the spirit and faith of Hie fath ers and have lost the virility of the founder of I he party which they profess to represent The Republican party doesn't have to as- t n.er Drokp0 ,llpn) or counselled oth , ihm It will n... I... irnlriocf .,,.,.,",, K(.t , m.jnol,ks at , in us r i . , aI1,,.,,f,r KT ... .,. J,.piror : . f. United States UPlo"8" 8 to u " n" e " s a,e Doctrine of l.inco n. If our opponents would only practice as well as preach the doctrlues of Abraham Lincoln there would be uo fear for the safe- I ty of onr institutions at home or their fiight- ful influence in any territory over which our flag floats. Empire nas been expelled from Porto Rico and the Philippines Of American freemen. The flag of the republic now flo its ov,-r rhese Islands as an emblem of rightful sovereign ty. Wlil the republic stay and dispense to their Inhabitants the blessings of liberty, education and free instil ulious. or steal away, leaving thein to anarchy or liupcrial- , s The American question Is between dut, n duty snd desertion. The American verdict will be for duty and against desertion, for the Republic against both anarchy and imperial ism." The country has been fully advised of the purposes of the United States In China, and they will be fnlihfully adhered to as already defined. PurTerers in Pekin. The nation Is filled with gratitude that the i ni'.ie uuuu, oiuuufc i, ,...,.., u. ..... .. 4 blood, who for two months bad been sub Jccted to privations and peril by the attacks of pitiless hordes at tbe Chinese capital, ex ! hihitimr suoreuie courage In the face of de spair, have been enabled by God's favor to greet tbeir rescuers and find shelter under their own flag. The people not alone of this land, but of all lands, have watched and prayed through the terrible stress and protracted agony of the helpless sufferers In Pekln: and while t times the dark tidings seemeu to mniie an hope vain, the rescuers never faltered lu Hie heroic fulfillment of their noble task. We are grateful to our owu soldiers and sailors aud marines, and to all. tbe brave men who, though assembled under many standards, represenllng peoples and races strangers in country and speech, were yet united In the "sacred mission of carrying succor to the be sieged, with a success that Is now the cause of a world's rejoicing. Pats ins of : ection:ilism. Not only have we reason for thanksgiving for our material blessings, but we should re joice In tSe complete unlficallou of the peo ple of all sections of our country that has so happily developed In the last few years and made for us a more perfect union. The obliteration of old differences, the common devotion to the flag und tbe common sac rifices for lis honor, so conspicuously shown by the men of the North and South In the Spanish war. have so strengthened -the ties of friendship and mutual respect that noth ing can ever again divide us. The nation faces thr new century grate fully and hopefully, with Increasing love of country, with firm faith in its free Institu tions, aud with high resolve that they "shall not perish from the earth." Very respectfti ly yours, WILLIAM M KINLEY. , ,