RUINATION OF THE REPUBLICAN PA
RTY,SEPT.
native Inhabitants of the terrt-
ceded to the United States
UJ - " 3 "
thereafter, on Dec. 21, the fol-
ion was given to the command-
es In the Philippines:
ary commander of the United
. . . i . - U.
the Philippine Islands that, in
o the sovereignty of Spain, In
former political relations of the
the authority of the United
be exerted for the securing of
and property of the people of
and for the confirmation of all
e rights and relations. It will
of the commander Df the forces
. ) nMMitni in
ubllc manner that we come not
or conquerors, but as friends, to
natives in their homes, in their
ts and in their personal and re-
Sent II Commission.
to facilitate the most humane,
effective extension of authority
these Islands, and to secure, with
possible delay, the benefits of a
generous protection of life and
o the Inhabitants. I appointed In
. - - . I . nf
id Sehurman of New York. Ad-.
rge Dewey, D. S. N.; Charles
Indiana, Professor Dean C. Wor
Mlcbigan, and Major General El
tls U. S. A. Their Instruction
me ionow iufc
performance of this duty the com
s are enjoined to meet at the
it.,. i iim Hrr of Manila.
nnounce by public proclamation
. k n n-ticeln Intrusted to
.. r .r U Mi-it while the
government already proclaimed is
intalned and continued so long as
may require, efforts will be made
te the burden of taxation, to estab-
istrlnl and commercial prosperity.
rovlde for the safety of persons and
rty by such means as may be found
veil Carefnl Instructions.
commissioners will endeavor, wltb--.-na
niih the militarv anthori-
tbe United States now in control "i
llpplues. to ascertain what aincliora
the condition of the Inhabitants and
l.. n,.l.lt nrilar m-l V hp
III U TMoeu in i uu.. -
... , , i'w.v will
ttentlvely the existing social and po
tate of the various populations, par-
y as regards the forms of local gov
t. the administration of justice, the
on of customs and other taxes, the
of transportation, and the need of
improvements. They will report
K f thpir nhQArvAl ions and
Ions, and will recommend such execu
. , - 1 l. , V,..,.W.-l
COmnilfiSlouers uic ui-iruj ..
nt In the Islands from wnom tuey hhu
memseives auie iu urn- iiuwm-
r BUKHOllviia ' " "
of their commission, or whom they
,1.1. -..
Avoided Harsh Measures.
I. , rfaelpa ilmi In nil thpir relations
the inhabitants of the Islands the com-
AiiAPa emrikfi nop rPRTlPCt for nil the
Customs BUG institutions UI lue inoe
compose the population, emphasizing
all occasions the just and beneficent In-
UI Lilt: nnHllHHH Ul lut l. ttiicu
U also my wish and expectation that
commissioners may be received In a
npr flop to thp honored and author zed
commissioned on account of their
pdirp. ski unit tntpirntv as rtenrers or
rood will, the protection ana tne nonesi
the 6th of February. 1890. the treaty
ratified by the Senate of the United
,.. aoo Ann rjvi -.. I . .. ......
toe United States and Spain on the lltb
April, 1899.
early as April, 1899, the Philippine
ripnt pnrienTnrpri to hrlnff nhont npnop
the Islands by repented conferences with
iiiriH i h i rMitrMKf in uiir i up h -c i i i
m which f ho v a-nnlil n npont
Pleaded the Natives.
"Maj fi, tAYX Sehurman, Manila: Youra
bat. under the military Dowor of the rresl-
ent. nendlu? notion of ronirreas. envevn-
resiuem, canine, appointed oy ine govern-
by the people, the qualifications of elect-
niiHi hum m p-nvprnnr rpn urn i r r nnra a ft.
pendent, principal judges appointed by the
President The cabinet and judges to be
chosen from natives or Americans, or both
having regard to fitness.
"The President earnestly desires the cessa
tlon of bloodshed and that the people of the
Philippine Islands at an early date shall
have the largest measure of local self-government
consistent with peace and good
erder.
Siena of Treachery.
In the latter part of May another gronp
of representatives came from the Insurgent
leader. The whole matter was fully dis
cussed with them nnd promise of acceptance
seemed near at hand. They assured our
commissioners they would return after con
sulting with their leader, but they never did.
As a result of the views expressed by the
first Tagalog representative favorable to the
plaa of the commission. It appears that he
was, by military order of the Insurgent
leader, stripped of his shoulder straps, dis
missed from the army and sentenced to
twelve years'. Imprisonment.
The views of the commission are best set
forth in their own words:
"Deplorable as war Is. the one In which
we m how engaged was unavoidable by us.
.Wt 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 wonld have sanctioned the sur
render of Manila to the Insurgents. Our ob
ligations to other nations and to the friendly
Filipinos aud to ourselves and our flag de
manded that force should be met with force.
Whatever the future of the Philippines may
be, there ts 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 the 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 tbem is to co-operate
with the Americans in the adminlstra
tlon of general affairs, from Manila as a
center, and to undertake, subject to Amer
ican control or guidance (as 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 thetn. 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 point of view
escape the respouslbililles of government
which our sovereignty entails, and the com
mission Is strongly persuaded that the per
formance of our national duty will prove
the greatest blpssing to the people of the
Philippine Islands."
Satisfied that nothing further conld be ac
complished In pursuance of their mission
until the rebellion was suppressed, and de
siring to place before the Congress the re
sult of their observations, I 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. 1900, believing that the lnsnr
rectloo was practically ended and earnestly
desiring to promote the establishment of a
stable government in the archipelago, I ap
pointed tbe following civil commission:
William H. Taft of Ohio, Professor Dean C.
Worcester of Michigan. Luke I. Wright of
Tennessee, Henry C. Ide of Vermont, and
Bernard Moses of California. My Instruc
tions to them contalued the following:
"You (the Secretary of War) will instruct
the commission . to devote their at
tentlon In the first Instance to the establish
ment of municipal governments. In which
the natives of the Islands, both in the cities
and in tbe 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 aud control which a care
ful study of their capacities and observation
of tbe workings of native control show to be
consistent with the maintenance of law, or
der and loyalty.
Awaits the Report.
"Whenever tbe commission is of the opin
ion that the condition of affairs In the isl
ands Is such that tbe central administration
may safely be transferred from military to
civil control they will report that conclu
sion to you (the Secretary of War), with
their personal recommendations as to the
form of central government to be estab
lished for the purpose of taking over the
control.
"Beginning with the 1st day of Septem
ber, laoo, 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 from the
military governor of the islands to this com
mission, to be thereafter exercised by tbem
In the place and stead of the military gov
ernor, under such rules and regulations as
you (the Secretary of War) shall prescribe,
until the establishment of the civil central
government tor the islands contemplated In
the 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 the effect of law for the raising of reve
nue by taxes, customs duties and Imposts;
the 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 and establishment of municipal
and departmental governments, and nil
other matters of a civil nature of which the
military governor Is now competent to pro
ride by rules or orders of a legislative char
acter. The commission will also have
power during the same period to appoint to
office such officers under the judicial, edu
cational and civil service systems and in the
municipal and departmental governments as
shall be provided."
Kule for the Interim.
Until Congress shall take action I directed
that:
"Upon every division and branch of the
government of the Philippines must be Im
posed these Inviolable rules: That no per
son shall be deprived of life, liberty or prop
erty without due process of law; tbat 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
be Informed of tbe nature and cause of the
accusation, to be confronted with the wit
nesses against him, to have compulsory
process for obtaining witnesses In his favor,
and to have tbe 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 a 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 as 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 tbe press, or the rights of tbe people to
peaceably assemble and petition the govern
ment for a redress of grievances; that no
law shall be made respecting the establish
ment of religion or prohibiting the free ex
ercise thereof, and that the free exercise
and enjoyment of religious profession aud
worship without discrimination or prefer
ence shall forever be ullowed. "
Extending Education.
"It will be the dnty of the commission to
promote and extend, and, as they find occa
sion, to Improve, the 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, and which shall tend to HI the people
for the duties of citizenship, nnd for the or
dinary avocations of 'a eivilixed community.
Kspecial 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 employes of the
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, nnd 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. 1898, 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
faith and honor of the American army.'
"I believe tbat 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 nnd
life, civil and religions 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 aud
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 tbe day wbTn God
gave victory to American arms nt Manila
and set their land under the sovereignty and
the protection of the people of the United
States."
Amnesty Proclaimed.
That all might share In the regeneration
of the Islands and participate In their gov
ernment, I directed Gen. MacArthur, the
military governor of tbe Philippines, to Is
sue a proclamation of amnesty, which con
tained among other statements the follow
ing: "Manila, P. I.. June 21. 1900. By direction
of the President of Uie United Slates the
undersigned announces amnesty, with com
plete Immunity for the past and absolute
liberty of action for tbe future, to all per
sons who are now, or at any time since
Feb. 4, 1899. 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 tbat the (Democratic) demand Is for the immediate restora
tion of the free coinage of sliver at 16 To 1. If another issue is paramoitut, this
is immediate. It will admit of no delay and will suffer no postponement.
We accept tbe Issue and again Invite the sound money forces to join In win
ning another and we hope a permanent triumph for an honest financial system
which will continue inviolable the public fnlth.
It Ir our purpose to establish In the Philippines a government suitable to the
wants'and conditions of the inhabitants, and to prepare tliem for self-government,
and to give them self-government whon they are ready for it, and as
rapidly as thev are readv for It:
There has heen no time since the destruction of tbe enemy's fleet when we
conld or should have left the Philippine archipelago. After the treaty of peace
was ratified no power but Congress could surreuder our sovereignty or alienate a
foot of the territory thus acquired.
ICvery effort ha been directed to their (I'llipiuos) peace and prosperity, their
advancement aud well-being, uot for our aggrandizement or for pride of might,
not for trade or commerce, oot for exploitation, but for humanity and civilization.
The American question Is between dnty and desertion. The American verdict
wl'l be for duty and against desertion, for the republic against both anarchy and
Imperialism.
HoneRt co-operation of capital Is necessary to meet new business conditions,
and extend our rapidly Increasing foreign trade, but conspiracies and combina
tions Intended to restrict business, create monopolies and control prices should
be effectively restrained.
For labor a short day Is better than a short dollar-
Unless something unforeseen occurs to reduce our revenues or Inereasp our ex
penditures, the Congress at its next session should reduce taxation very ma
terially. We otTght to own the ships for our carrying trade with the world, and we
ought to build them In American shipyards and man them with American sailors.
iaratlon acknowleding and accepting the
sovereignty and authority of the I. uited
states In and over the Philippine Islands.
"the privilege herewith published is ex
tended to ail concerned without any reser
vation whatever, excepting that persons who
have violated the laws of war during ine
period of active hostilities are not embraced
withiu the scope of this amnesty.
Pay offerea tor Kifleo.
"In order to mitlgrate as much as possible
consequences resuitiug from the various dis
turbances which since 1-MM have succeeded
each other so rapidly, aud to provide In
some measure for destitute Filipino soldiers
during the transitory period which must
Inevitably succeed a general peace, the mil
iary authorities of the United States will
pay 80 pesos to each man who presents a
rine 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 uu
der civil control, in which the inhabitants
shall participate, giving tbem. opportunity
to demonstrate how far they are prepared
for self-government.
Quotes the Commission.
This commission, nnder date of Aug. 21.
lWXl. makes an Interesting report, from
which I quote tbe following extracts:
"Hostility against Americans was orig
lnally aroused by absurd falsehoods of un
scrupulous leaders. The distribution of
troops lu 300 posts has by coutact largely
dispelled hostility, and steadily improved
temper of people. This improvement is fur
thered by abuses of Insurgents. Large uum
bers of people long for peace aud are willing
to accept government under the United
States.
"Insurgents not surrendering after defeat
divided Into small guerrilla bands under genr
eral officers or became robbers. Nearly all
of the prominent generals and politicians of
the Insurrection, except Aguinaldo, 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 planting, and asking for municipal or
ganization. Hallway and telegraph lines
from Maulla to Dagupan, 122 miles, not mo
lested for live months.
Plan? Native Militia.
"Tagalogs alone active In leading guerrilla
warfare. In Negros, Cebu, Komblon, Mas
bate, Sibuyan, Tablas, Bohol and other Phil
ippine Islands little disturbance exists, and
civil government eagerly awaited.
"Four years of war and lawlessness la
parts of Islands' have created unsettled con
ditions. Native constabulary and
militia, which should he organized at once,
will end this and the terrorism to which de
fenseless people are subjected. The natives
desire to enlist in these -organisations. If
judiciously selected and officered, 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 out canltal,
make life aud property secular and relig
ious most Insecure; banish by fear of cruel
proscription considerable body of conserva
tive Filipinos who have aided Americans In
well-founded belief that their people are
not now fit for self-government, and reintro
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 our government or some
other.
Trade Follows Peace.
"Business Interrupted by war mncb Im
proved as peace extends. :- In Negrcs
more sugar in cultivation than ever before.
New forestry regulations give impetus to
timber trade aud reduce high price of'lum
ber. The customs collections -for last quar
ter 30 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 reveuue. practically abolished.
"Economy and efficiency of military gov
ernment have created surplus fund of $,
000.000, which should be expended In much
needed public works, uotably improvement
of Manila harbor. With proper tar
iff and facilities Manila will become great
port of Orient."
The commission is confident that "by a
judicious customs law, reasonable land tax
nnd proper corporation franchise tax, im
position of no greater rate than that In the
average Amerlcau State will give less an
noyance and with peace will iiroduce reve
nues sufficient to pay expenses of efficient
government. Including militia and constabu
lary. p
No Sign of Alliance.
They "are preparing a stringent civil ser
vice !aw 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, a mile
high, with strictly temperate climate.
Railroad 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,,
school supplies and I'.nsJ'sh teachers, greater
than the com mission can provide until a
comprehensive school system is organized.
Night schools for teaching English to adults
arc being established In response to popular
demand. Native children show aptitude In
learning English. Spanish is spoken by a
small fraction of the people, nnd In a few
years the medium of communication In the
courts, public offices and between different
tribes will be English.
Working for Humanity.
"Creation of central government within
eighteen months, under which substantially
ali rights described in the bill of lights In
the federal constitution are to be secured to
the people of the Philippines, will bring to
them contentment, prosperity, education
aud politicaj enlightenment."
This shows to my countrymen what has
been and is being done to bring the benefits
of liberty and good government to these
wards of the nation. Every effort has been
directed to their peace nnd prosperity, their
advancement aud well-being, uot for our ag
grandizement nor for pride of might, not for
trade or commerce, not for exploitation, but
for humanity and civilisation, nnd for tbe
protection of the vast majority of the popu
lation who welcome our sovereignty against
the designing minority whose first demand
after the surrender of Manila by the Span
ish army was to enter Jhe city that they
might loot it and destroy those not in sym
pathy with their selfish and treacherous de
signs. Civil Service to Rule.
Nobody who will avail himself of the facts
will longer hold that there was any alliance
between our soldiers and the Insurgents or
that any promise of Independence was made
to tbem. Long before their leader had
reached Manila they bad resolved. If tbe
comniauder of the Amerlcau navy would
give them arms with which to fight the
Spanish army, they would later turn upon
us. which they did murderously and without
tbe shadow of cause or justification.
There may be those without the means of
full information who believe tbat we were
In alliance with the insurgents and ibnt we
assured them that they should have Inde
pendence. To such let mo repeat the facts:
On the 28th of May. 1SU8. Admiral Dewey
was instructed by me io make uo alliance
with any party or faction in the Philippines
that would Incur liability to malntalu ihelr
cause In the future, and he replied under
date of June 0. 1S8:
"nave acted according to spirit of depart
ment's Instructions from the beginning, and
1 have entered Into no alliance with the In
surgents or with any faction. This squadron
can reduce tbe defenses of Maulla at any
moment, but it N considered useless until
the nrrival of sufficient United States forces
to retain possession."
Denies Any Compact.
In tbe report of the first Philippine com
mission, submitted on Nov. 2. lSili), Admiral
Dewey, one of Its members, said:
"No alliance of any kind was entered Into
with Aguinaldo nor was any promise of in
dependence made to him at any time."
General Merrltt arrived in the Philippines
on July 25, 1SDS, aud a dispatch from Ad
miral 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
tbe Insurgents under Aguinaldo, who have
become aggressive and even threatening to
ward our array."
Here Is revealed the spirit of the Insur
gents as early as July, 1S8, before the pro
tocol was signed, while we were still en
gaged In active war with Spain. Even then
the Insurgents were threatening our army.
Filipino Took No Part.
On Aug. 13 Maulla was captured, and of
this anrt subsequent events the Philippine
commission says:
"When the City of Manila was taken, Aug.
13, tbe Fillpiuos took no part In tbe attack,
but. came following in with a view to loot
ing the city and were oniy prevented from
dolug so by our forces preventing them from
entering. Aguinaldo claimed that he had
the right to occupy the city. He demanded
of General Merritt the Dalace of Malacanan
i for himself and the cession of all the
churches of Manila, also that a part of the
! money taken from the Spaniards as spoils
; of war should be given up, and, above all.
' that he should be given tbe arms of tbe
i Spinlsh prisoners. All these demands were
refused.
No Promise- Made.
Generals Merrltt, Greene and Anderson,
who were io command at the beginning of
our occupation aud until the surrender of
Manila, state tbat there was uo alliance
with the Insurgents and no promise to them
of Independence. On Aug. IT, 1898, General
Merritt was instructed that there must be
no joint occupation of Manila with the In
surgents. General Anderson, under date of
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 (Aguinaldo) asked me If my govern
ment was golhg to recognize his govern
ment. I answered that I 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.
Would 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 they have with
drawn It after the destruction of the Span
ish fleet; and if the latter, whither would
thev have directed to sail? Where could
It have gone? What port in the Orient was
opened to It?
Do our 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, 1808. and the conclusion of peace
without a stain upon our good name? Conld
we have come away without dishonor nt any
time after the ratification of the peace treaty
by the Senate 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 no
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 In us It
Is the duty of tbe executive, whoever he
may be, to uphold that sovereignty, and If It
be attacked to suppress Its assailants. Would
our political adversaries do less?
Began by Insurgents,
It has been asserted that there wonld 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 Con
gress. They assumed the offensive, they
opened fire on our army.
Those who assert our responsibility for
tbe beginning of the conflict have forgotten
that before the treaty was ratified In tbe
Senate, and while It was being debated in
that body, and while the Bacon resolution
was under discussion, on Feb. 4. 1899. the
Insurgents attacked the American array,
after being previously advised that tbe
American forces were under orders not to
fire upon tbem except In defense. The pa
pers found In the recently captured archives
of the Insurgents demonstrate tbat this at
tack had been carefully planned for weeks
before It occurred.
Only line Conrse Open.
Their unprovoked assault upon our sol
diers at a time when the Senate was dellb
crating upon tbe treaty shows tbat no ac
tion on our part except surrender nnd aban
donment would have prevented the fighting,
and leaves no doubt in any fair mind where
the responsibility rests for the shedding of
American blood.
With all tbe exaggerated phrnsemaking
of this electoral contest, we are In danger of
being diverted from the real contention. We
are in agreement with all of those who sup
ported the war with Spain, aud also with
those who counseled the ratification of the
lieatv. of peace. Upon these two great es
sentlal steps there can be uo Issue, and out
of these came all of our responsibilities. If
olbers would shirk the obligations imposed
by the war and the treaty, we must decline
to act further with tbem, and here the issue
was made.
It Is our purpose to establish In the Philip
pines a government suitable to the wants
and conditions of the inhabitants, aud to
prepare them for self-government, and to
irlve tbem self-government when tbey ore
ready for it, and as rapidly as I hey un
ready for It. Thai 1 am aiming to do nnder
my constitutional authority, and will con
rinujt- to do until Congress shall determlue
the political status of the Inhabitants of the
archipelago.
Pica for Consistency.
Are our opponents against the treaty? If
so, they must be reminded that It could not
have been ratified lu the Senaie but for their
assistance. The Senate which ratified the
treaty and the Congress which added Its
sanction by a large appropriation comprised
Senators and Iteprescntatlves of the people
of all parties.
Would our opponents surrender to the In
surgents, abandon our sovereignty or cede It
to tbem? If that be not tbelr purpose, then
it should be promptly disclaimed, for only
evil can result from tbe hopes raised by our
opponents in the minds of tbe Filipinos, that
with their success at the polls lu November
there will be withdrawal of our army and
of American sovereignty over the archipela
go, the complete independence of the Taga
log people recognized and the powers of
government over all the other peoples of the
archipelago conferred upon tbe Tagalog
leaders.
Prolongs the Rebellion.
The effect of a belief in the minds of tbe
Insurgents that this Will be done has al
ready prolonged the rebellion and Increases
tbe necessity for the continuance of a large
army. It Is now delaying full peace In the
archipelago und the establishment of civil
governments, and has Influenced many of
the insurgents against accepting the liberal
terms of amnesty offered by Geu. MacAr'bur
under my direction. But for these false
hopes a considerable reduction could have
ben had In our military establishment lu tbe
Philippines aud the realization of a stable
government would be already at hand.
The American people are asked by our op
ponents to yield the sovereignty of the
United states in tbe Philippines to a small
fraction of the population, a single tribe out
of eighty or more inhabiting the archipelago,
a faction which wantonly attacked the
American troops In Manila while In rlght
fnl possession under the protocol with
Spain, awaiting the ratification of the treaty
of peace by the Senate, and which has since
lieen in active, opeu rebellion against the
United States. We are asked to transfer
our sovereignty to a small minority In the
Islands without consulting the majority and
to abandon the largest portion of the popu
lation, which has been loyal to us, to the
cruelties of the guerrilla Insurgent bands.
Demands Cannot Be Met.
More than this, we are asked to protect
this minority iu establishing a government,
and to this end repress all opposition of the
majority. We are required to set up a sta
ble government In the Interest of those who
have assailed our sovereignty and 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 the Philip
pines and still more In excess of what will
be necessary with the full recognition of our
sovereignty. A military support of author
ity not our own, as thus 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 offlensive form.
No Premium on Murder,
Tbe American people will not make the
murdprers of our soldiers tbe agents of the
republic to convey the blessings of liberty
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 our sacred obligations to tbe peaceful Fili
pinos, aud would place at the mercy of dan
gerous adventurers tbe lives and property of
the natives and foreigners. It would make
possible and easy tbe commission of such
atrocities ns were secretly planned, to be
executed on the 22d of February, 18D9, in
the City of Manila, when only the vigilance
of our army prevented the attempt to assas
sinate our soldiers and all foreigners and
pillage and destroy the city end Its surround
ings, s
in short, the proposition of those opposed
to us to continue all tbe obligations In the
Philippines which now rest upon the govern
ment, only changing tbe relation from prin
cipal, which now exists, to that of surety.
Our responsibility Is to remain, but our pow
er Is to be diminished. Our obligation Is to
be no less, but our title is to be surrendered
to another power, which is without experi
ence or training, or tbe ability to maintain a
stable government at home and absolutely
helpless to perform its luternatlonal obliga
tions with tbe rest of tbe 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 la to
establish our authority in every part of the
Islands.
No government can so certainly preserve
the peace, restore public order, establish
law, justice and stable conditions as ours.
Neither Congress nor the Executive can es
tablish a stable government In tbese Islands
except under our right of sovereignty, our
outhority and our flag. And this we are do
ing. We could not do It as a protectorate power
so completely or so successfully us we are
doing It now. As the sovereign power ws
can Initiate action and shape means to ends,
and guide tbe Filipinos to selt-developmeut
and self-government.
As a protectorate power we could not Ini
tiate action, but would be compelled to fol
low and uphold a people with uo 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 tbs
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
nitbont the like consent, and neither tbe
majority of the people nor a minority of the
people have Invited us to assume It. We
could not maintain a protectorate even with
the consent of the governed without giving
provocation for conflict and possibly costly
wars.
Our rights In the Philippines are now free
from outside interference and will continue
so In onr present relations. They would uot
be thus free In any other relation. We will
not give up our owu to guarantee another
sovereignty.
Our title Is good. Onr peace commission
ers believed they were receiving a good title
when they concluded the treaty. The execu-"
tlve believed It was a good title when be
submitted it to the Senate of the United
States for its ratification. The Senate be
lieved it was a good tide when they gave It
their constitutional assent, and the Con
gress seems uot to have doubted Its com
pleteness when they appropriated $20,00 ),0 XI
provided by the treaty.
Title Is (inquentionnhle.
If any who favored Ms ratification believed
It gave us a bad title they were not sincere.
Our title Is practically identical with (hat
under which we hold our territory acquired
since the beginning of the government, and
under which we have exercised full sov
ereignty nnd established government for tbe
Inhabitants.
it Is worthy of note tbst no one outside of
the United States disputes the fullness and
Integrity of the cession. What, then, Is tbe
real Issue on this subject? Whether It Is
paramount io any-other or no!. Ir Is whether
we shall be responsible for the government
of the Philippines, with ihe sovereignty and
authority which enables us to g'lide them to
regulated liberty, law. safety and progress,
or whether wt shall be responsible for th-e
forcible and arbitrary government of a mi
nority, without, sovereignty and authority
on our part, and wiih only the embarrass
ment of a protectorate, which draws us ln:-i
their troubles without the power of prevent
ing them.
- Obligations of War.
There were those who two years ago were
rnshlng us on to war wlih Spain who are
unwilling now- to accept- its clear conse
quences, as there an- those among as wh-o
advocated the ratification of tbe treaty of
peace, but now protest against its obliirar
tlons. Nations which go to war must be
prepared to accept its resultant obligations,
and when they make treaties must keep
tbem.
Those who profess to distrust the liberal
and honorable purposes of tbe administra
tion In Its treat nieut of the Philippines are
not justified. Imperialism has no (dace la
Its creed or conduct. Freedom Is a rock up
on which ihe Republican party was build. 3
and now rests. Liberty Is the great Repiib'i
ean doctrine for which the people went !
war and for which a miltiou lives were of
fered and billions of dollars expended r
make it a lawful legacy of all without t ha
eousent of master or slave.
Strain of Hypocrisy.
There Is a strain of Ill-concealed hypocrisy
In the anxiety I a. ex tend the constitutional
guarantees to the people of tbe Philippines,
while tbelr nnllificni ion is openly advocated
at home. Our oppen -m may d;s"ru-l lieut
selvPs. but tbey lunc no right to discredit
the good folih and patriotism of the major
ity of tbe people who are opposed io them.
They may fear the worst form of imperial
ism with the helpless riUpinos in their
hands, but if i hey do II Is I,. c tse tbey !lav
parted wlih the spirit and faith of the fath
ers and have lost the virility of ihe founders
of the parly which tbey profess lo represent
The Republican party doesn't have Io as
sert its devotion to the Hecla ration of Inde
pendence. That Immortal Instrument of tbs
faihers remained unexecuted until the peo
ple, under the lend of tbe Republican party
in the awful clash of battle, turned Its prom
ises Into fulfillineut. It wrote Into tbe Con
stitution the amendments guaranteeing po
litical equality to American citizenship, and
It has never broken them or counselled oth
ers io breaking them. It will not be guided
In Its conduct by one set of principles at
borne nnd another set lu the new territory
belonging to the United States.
ltoctrine of Llnco'n.
If -onr opponents would only practice aa
well as preach the doctrines of Abraham
Lincoln there would be uo fear for tbe safe
ty of our Institutions at home or their fright
ful Influence in any territory over which our
flag fioats.
Empire has been expelled from Porto Rico
a"nd the Philippines by American freemen.
The flag of the republic now floats over these
Islands ns an emblem of rightful sovereign
ty. Will the republic stay ami dispense ta
their Inhabitants the blessings of liberty,
education and free Institutions, or steal
away, leaving them lo anarchy or Imperial
ism ?
The American question Is between duty
and desertion. The American verdict will
be for dnty and against desertion, for the
Republic against botb anarchy and Imperial
ism. The country has been fully idvlsed of the
purposes of tbe United 8tates In China, and
they will be faithfully adhered to as already
defined.
Snfferers In Pekin.
The nation Is filled with gratitude that the
little band, among them many of our own
blood, who for two months had been sub
jected to privations and peril by the attacks
of pitiless hordes at the Chinese capital, ex
hibiting supreme courage In the face of de
spair, have been enabled by God's favor to
greet their 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; aud while
at times the dark tidings seemed to make nli
hone vain, the rescuers never faltered lu the
heroic fulfillment of their noble task. We
are grateful to our owu soldiers and sailors
.; marines, anu to an tne ornve men wno,
dsrh assembled under many standards.
"oresensine Peonies mid races strangers la
country and speech, were yet united in the
sacred mission of carrying succor to tne ue
sleged, with a success that Is now the causa
of a world's rejoicing.
Passing of f ectionalism.
Not only have we reason for thanksgiving
for onr material blessings, but we should re
joice in the complete unification of the peo
ple of all sections of our country tbat has
so happily developed in the last few yer.rs
and made for us a more perfect anion. Tbe
obliteration of old differences, the common
devotion to the flag nnd the common sac
rifices for its honor, so conspicuously showa
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 the new century grate
fully and hopefully, with Increasing love of
country, with firm faltb In Its free Institu
tions, and with high resolve that tbey "shall
not perish from the earth." Very respectfu
ly yours, WILLIAM M'KINLET.