etatu* of the native Inhabitants of tbe terri
tories hereby ceded to tbe United States
shall be determined by the Congress."
Eleven days thereafter, on Dee. 21, the fol
lowing direction was given to tbe command
er of our forces in tbe 1’blllpplnes:
"The military commander of the United
State* U enjoined to make known to the lu
habitant* of tbe Philippine Island* that, In
succeeding to the sovereignty of Spain, Hi
«■ vpring the former political relation* of the
inhabitants and In establishing a new polit
ical power, the authority of the United
Slates Is to be exerted for the securing of
the persons and properly of the people of
the Islands and for the continuation of all
their prlvalo rights and relations. It will
be tbe duty of the commander of the forces
of occupation lo anuounce and proclaim In
the most public manner that we come not
as Invader* or conquerors, but as friends, to
protect the natives In their homes, In their
employments aud lu their personal aud re
ligious rights.'*
Sent a Com mission.
In order to facilitate the most humane,
pacific und effective extension of authority
throughout these islands, and to secure, with
the least possible delay, the benefits of u
wise und generous protection of life and
property to the Inhabitants, I appointed In
January, 1800, a commission consisting of
Jacob Gould Hchurmau of New York, Ad
miral George Dewey, U. S. N.l * baric*
Dcnby of Indiana, Professor Dean Wor
cester of Michigan, and Major General El
well S. Otis, U'. H. A. Their Instructions
contained tbe following:
"lu tbe performance of this duty the com
missioners are enjoined to ineel at the
earliest possible day in the city of Manila,
and to announce by public proclamation
their presence anil the mission Intrusted to
litem, cart fully setting forth that, while the
military government ulready proclaimed Is
to be maintained und continued so long as
necessity may require, effort* will be made
lo alleviate the burden of taxation, lo eslab
llsh Industrial and commercial prosperity,
und lo provide for the safely of persons und
of property by such means as may be found
conducive to these ends.
Given Careful I rtstructioui*.
"The commissioners will endeavor, with
out Interference with lire military authori
ties of the United .Slates now In control of
the Philippines, lo ascertain what ameliora
tion In the condition of the Inhabitants and
what Improvements In public order may be
practicable, and for litis purpose they will
Study attentively the existing social and po
litical slate of the various populations, par
ticularly ns regards the forms of local gov
ernment, the administration of Justice, the
collection of customs und other taxes, the
means of transportation, and tbe need of
public Improvements. They will report
• • • the results of their observations and
reflection*, and will recommend such execu
tive action as may from lime lo lime seem
to them wise and useful.
"Tbe commissioners are hereby authorized
to confer authoritatively with nny persons
reshlent In the Islaudx from whom they niay
believe themselves able to derive informs
tlon or suggestion* valuable for the pur
poses of their commission, or whom they
may choose to employ as agent*, as may be
necessary for this purpose. • « •
Avoided Hiiran .vicaanrea.
"It Is tny desire that in nil their relations
with the Inhabitants of the island* the com
mlsslotiers exercise due respect for nil l he
Ideals, customs nnd Institutions of the tribes
which compose the population, emphasizing
upon all occasions the Just and beneficent In
tentions of the government of the United
States.
'It Is also tny wish and expectation that
the commissioners may he ... Irt u
manner due to the honored and authorized
representatives of the American Republic,
duly commissioned on account of their
knowledge, skill and Integrity os bearers of
the good will, the protection and the richest
blessings of a liberating rather than a con
quering nation."
On the tlth of February, ISO!), the treaty
wus ratified by the Senate of the United
States, nnd the t'ongresa Immediately ap
propriated rjo.tOO.noo to carry out Its pro
visions. The ratifications were exchanged
by the United Stutes and Spain on the 11th
of April, 1800.
As early us April, 1800, the Philippine
commission, of which Ur. Kchuriuan was
president, endeavored to bring about peace
lu the Islands by repealed conferences with
leading Tagulogs representing the so-culled
insurgent government, to the end that some
genera, plan of government might be offered
them which they would accept.
I’leused the Natives.
So great was the satisfaction of the Insur
gent commissioners with the form of gov
ernment proposed by tlie American com
missioner* that the latter submitted the
proposed scheme to me for approval.and tny
action thereon Is shown by the cable mes
sage following:
"May 5, lMm. Sehurniiui. Manila: Yours
4tli received. You are authorized to propose
that, under the military power of the Presi
dent, pending net Ion of t'ongresa, govern
incut of the Philippine Islands shall consist
of a governor general appointed by the
President, cabinet appointed by the govern
or general, a general adilsory con mil elect
ed by the people, the t|ualltleiitIons of elect
ors to be carefully considered ami deter
mined, and the governor gcm-rul to have ah
solute veto. Judiciary strong and Inde
pendent, principal Judges appointed by the
President 'I he cabiuet ami Judges to tie
Chosen from natives or America ns, ur both,
having regard to Illness.
The President earnestly desires the cessa
tion of lilomlshed mill that the people of the |
Philippine Islands at an early date shall |
have the largest measure of local self gov j
eminent eoustsleul with peace and good |
order
Minna uf TrMi'htu.
lu the taller purl of May another group
of rryNWIIllltra eaiue froth ihe IhtUrgenl ,
leader ttr whole matter waa fully dla
roared with them and prouilte of a> < optam e
eeeiurd near at hand They nraured our
rommlaaiohera they would return after ma
tolling with their leader, hut they Merer did ■
At a realllt of the »l> wa etptryaed l<| the
Aral Tagalog repreaewtaliae fatotebie to the
plan of the • o,h-ol*r, ,i« it i|,|eara that he
teat, by military order of the Inturg. ut
leader, |trt)i|«i| of bta abowldet at i.. pa die
mlated from Ihe army and arhteheed lo
twrlae tear* I|ii|'|I*i»jii *t
The tlvwa of the i oon.t.amo are beat art
forth lu their wan ttotd*
l •* playable at an h, Ihe one lu hhirh
■ e are tone •artyol ua* aui Idalde by at
M* ut*te aita>a»d by a bold ad*eutu#**oa
ami enthusiastic array. No alternative was
left to us except Ignominious retreat.
Had to Remain.
“It la not to be conceived of that any
American would have sanctioned the sur
render of Manila to the Insurgents. Our ob
ligation* 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
th<* prosecution *f the war until the Insur
gents are reduced to submission.
"The commission Is of the opinion thut
there has been no time since the destruction
of the Spanish squadron by Admiral Dewey
alien It was possible to withdraw our forces
from the islands either with honor to our
selves or with safety to the Inhabitants."
After the moat 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 vlr
tiles, to undertake the task of governing the
arcblpelngo at the present time. The most
lliut can he expected of them Is to co-oper
ate with the Americans In the admlnlstra
• Ion of general tilTuIra, from Manila as u
center, and to undertake, subject to Atner
lean control or guidance ins uiay be found
necessary) the administration of provincial
ami municipal affairs. • • •
Would Invite Anarchy.
“Should our power by any fatality be
withdrawn, the commission believe* that the
government of the Philippines would speed
ily lapse Inlo anarchy, which would excuse.
If It did not necessitate, the Intervention of
other powers, uud the eventual division of
the Islands among them. Duly through
American occupation, therefore, Is the Idea
of a free, self-got ernlttg and united Philip
pine eominoiiwealth ut all conceivable. • • •
“Thus the welfare of the Filipinos coin
cities with the dictates of national honor In
forbidding our abandonment of the arehl
pelngo. We cannot from any point of view
escape the responsibilities of government
which our sovereignty entails, and the com
mission la strongly persuaded tlmt the per
formnnee of our national duty will prove
the greatest blessing to the people of the
Philippine Islands."
.Satisfied that nothing further could he no
complishcd In pursuance of their mission
until the rebellion was suppressed, nnil de
siring to place before the Congress the re
stilt of their observations, I requested the
commission to return to the United States.
I'belr most Intelligent anil comprehensive
report, was submitted to Congress.
Duties of the Coinuiiaaion.
In March, 1W>0, believing that Dip Insur
rectlon was practically ended and earnestly
desiring to promote the establishment of a
stable government In tile archipelago, I un
pointed the following civil commission:
William II. Taft of Ohio, Professor Dean C.
Worcester of Michigan, I.ukc I. Wrlghl of
Tennessee, Henry C. Ide of Vermont, and
Bernard Moses of California. My instruc
tions to them contained the following:
“You (the Hecretury of Wur) will Instruct
the commission • • • to devote their at
tention In the first Instance to the establish
mcnL of municipal governments. In which
the natives of the Islands, both In thp cities
and in the rural communities, shall he af
forded the opportunity to manage their own
local uffulrs to the fullest extent af which
they ore 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 w-lth the maintenance of law, or
der and loyalty. • • •
A wait* the Keport.
"Whenever the commission Is of the opln
lou that the condition of affairs In the U1
ands is such that the central administration
may safely he transferred from military to 1
civil control they will report that conclu
sion to you (tile Secretary of Who, with
(heir personal recommendation* a* 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
her. loot), ilie authority to exercise, subject
to my approval through the Secretary of
War, that part of the power of government
In l lie Philippine Islands which Is of a leg
Islatlve nature is to he transferred from the
military governor of tin- islands to ihls com
mission, to lie thereafter exercised by them
In the place uud stead of the military gov
ernor, under such rules uud regulations us
you ilhe Secretary of War) shall prescribe,
until the establishment of the civil central
government for the Islands contemplated in
ihe Inst foregoing paragraph or until Con
gross shall otherwise provide.
Legislative Authority.
"Kxerol: e 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 tuxes, customs duties and Imposts;
the appropriation uml expenditure of the
politic funds of the Islands; the establish
incut of an educational system throughout
the islands; ibo estaldlshiueut of a system
to secure an etllcleut civil service; the or
ganix.itlou and esiabilshment of courts; the
organisation and establishment of municipal
and departmental governments, ami all
other matters of it civil nature of which the
military governor l» now competent to pro
vide by rules or orders of a legislative eiiar
acier. The commission will also have
power during the same period to appoint to
Office such olltcers under the Jiidlcl.ll, cdu
national uud civil service systems and III Ihe
municipal and departmental governments us
shall he provided."
Utile* fur the Interim.
t'ntll I’ougreaa a It M11 lake action I directed
that.
' ('ptm every dlvlalnn aud hraneh nf the
guvertitueut uf the rhtllppliiea tnuat he Im
puked I liene luvluluhle rule* That lie pel
ken ahall Ise deprived of life, lllierly nr prop
eriy tv It hunt due proeeaa uf law; that pri
vate property ahull uot l>e takeu fur puhlle
u»e without Ju«i roiupenaatlnti; that In all
erlmtiial prtiaeuullolia i he aeeuaed ahull en
Joy ihe right In a apeedy aud puhlle trial, to
lie Informed nf the nature aud eauae uf the
accuaatlon. to he confronted with the wit
neaaea agaluat him, lu have coutpulaory
prm-eaa fur obtaining »i'iu-«r* tu hit favor,
and In have the naaiaiauee uf rumiael fur bla
defehae, that et- eaalve hall ahall not lie re
tpiiresl, nur etceaai ve tinea luiboaetl, nor i ruel
and unuatial punlihiueut Indicted that tin
lieiaun ahall he put twh-e In Jcotiardr for the
name ulTeutr, ur he compelleil In any i rltul
nal eaae It- Im- a Wltueaa agaluat hltuaelf,
that the right tu he ae. ure afuliitt unreaaon
able «ettr< hera aud aelaurea ahall uot he «|n
laletl. that neither nlavert uot lovuluutary
aervitude ahall etlat rteepl aa a punlahutent
hr erirae, that no hid of attainder or et po>t
facia law ahall he paaned, that un law atteil
Iw panned ahrhlgli g the fr, e-h-tu uf a|te*> h of
uf ihe preaa. or the rlgbla of the people to
peaceably aaertpbh- anti petllluit Ihe g»t»rn
utettl f->r a redreaa of grievance that oo
>■• * .us 11 l<e made rvapecttug the ralabltah
• f !• 11 g I -1 •' , I. lug in. f
ervtee thereof, ac-l that the free egervlee
and .BJeJItottl uf rellgtoua jn lrol n and
nr,hip wltkoot dl«t rindnate-tt uf prefer
eg « .hah futrtrl tie ,a • i »n| ill
» % tending I d o> a I lint.
It will he tke doi» of the comuilaatuu to
pi iktuie eu l avtvod and. aa Her Out a.. a
al-o. to I tu prove, the afatrat of edo*athta
already Inaugurated by the military authors
ttra lu d- tug this they ahovtld (egard aa of
tr*t Import#** * the elleweiua of a ayatvm
of primary education which shall bo free to
all. and which shall tend to lit the people
for the Unties of citizenship, nud for the or
dluary avocations of a elvlliicd community.
* * * Especial attention should he at once
given to alTordlng full opportunity to all the
people of the Islands to acquire the use of
the Kngllsh language. • • •
"Upon all officers und employes of the
I'nlted States, both civil uud military,
should be Impressed « sense of the duty to
observe not merely the material hut the per
sonal and social rights of the people of the
Islands, anil to treat them with the same
courtesy and respect for their personal dig
ulty which the people of the bulled States
are uccustomed to require from each other.
All iMedaes Kept.
"The articles of capitulation of the City of
Manila on the l.'ltti of August, IMPS, con
cluded with these words: 'This city. Its in
habitant*, Its churches, and religious wor
ship, Its educational establishments and It*
private property of all descriptions, are
placed under the special safeguard of the
fiilth and honor of the American army.'
"I believe that Ihls pledge lias hen faith
fully kept. As high and sacred an obligation
test* upon the government of the United
Stales to give protection for property and
life, civil and religions freedom, and wise,
Ill'll! and unselfish guidance In the paths of
peace und prosperity to all the people of the
Philippine Islands.' I charge ihls commis
sion lo 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 nil the Inhabitant*
of the Philippine Islands may eouie to look
hack with gratitude to the day when Hod
gave victory to American arms at Manila
and sel their land tinder the sovereignly and
the protection of the people of the I'nlted
mutes."
Amnesty Proclaimed.
That nil might share In the regeneration
of I tie Islands and participate In their gov
ernment, I directed (Sen. Ms' Artliur, the
military governor of the Philippines, to Is
sue u proclamation of amnesty, which con
tained among other statements the follow
ing.
'Manila, P. I., June at, IIhki. it.v direction
of the President of the l ulled States the
undersigned announces amnesty, with com
plete Immunity for the pust and absolute
liberty of action for the future, to all per
sons who tire now, or at any lime since
I'ch, 4, 1SII3, have been 111 Insurrection
against the United States In either 11 mill
lary or civil capacity, and who shall, within
a period of ninety days from the date there
of, formally renounce all connection with
such Insurrection uud subscribe to u dee
New forestry regulations give Impetus to
timber trail.- and reduce high price of lum
ber. The customs collections for last qtuir.
ter 50 per cent greater than ever In Spanish
history, and August collection* show fur
ther Increase. The total revenue for same
period one third greater thnn In any quarter
under Spain, though cedilla lax chief source
of Spanish revenue, practically abolished
"Koonouiy aud efficiency of military gov
ernment have created surplus fund of $fi.
000,000. which should be expended In much
needed public works, notably Improvement
of Manila harbor. • • • With proper tar
iff and facilities Manila will become great
port of Orient.”
The comudsalon Is confident that "by n
Judicious customs law, reasonable land lax
uud proper corporation franchise tax. Ini
position <>f no greater rate than that In the
average American Slate will give less an
noyance and with peace will produce reve
lines sufficient to pay expenses of efficient
government. Including militia and constabu
lary. '
No Hi a ’> of Alliance.
They "are preparing a stringent civil ser
The law giving equal opportunity to Fill
piuos mid Amertcun*. with preference for
the former where qiiallfleatlons are equul.
to enter at the lowest rank und by promotion
rem’h the head of the depurimeut. * * •
"Forty five tulles of railroad extension
under negotiation will give aeeess to a large
province rich In valuable mineral*, a mile
high, with strictly temperate climate. • • •
Railroad construction will give employment
to man. and communication will furnish a
market to vast stretches of rich agricultural
landa.” .... ..
They report that there are "calls from all
purls of the Islands for public schools,
school supplies aud Fngllsh touchers, greater
than the commission cun provide until a
comprehensive school system Is organized.
Sight schools for tenchlug Fngllsh to itdtilla
are being established In response to popular
demand Native children show aptitude In
learning lingllsh Spanish is spoken by a
small fraction of the people, ami In a few
years the medium of communication In the
courts, public offices mid between different
tribes will bo Fngllsh.
Working for Humanity.
"Crentlnn of central government within
eighteen months, under which substantially
nil rights described lit the bill of rights In
the federal const It til Ion arc to be secured to
the people of the Philippine*, will bring to
them ci.nteutment, prosperity, education
and political enlightenment."
This shows to my countrymen what has
been und Is being done to bring the benefit a
of liberty ami good government to these
ward* of the uution. ICvery effort bus been
Striking Phrases from President McKinley's Letter.
It will be noted that the (Democratic) demand Is for the Immediate reatora
tlou of the free coinage of silver nl HI to 1. If another Issue Is paramount, tuts
Is Immediate. It will ndmil of no delay and will suiter no postponement.
• as
We accept the Issue and again Invite the sound money forces to Join In win
ning another and we hope u permanent triumph for uu hottest financial system
which will continue Inviolable the public faith.
• * •
It Is our purpose to establish In the Philippines n government suitable to the
wants and conditions of the Inhabitants, and to prepare them for self govern
ment, uud to give them self government when they ure ready for It, and as
rapidly us they ure ready 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 Blleuate a
foot of the territory thus acquired.
• • •
Every effort has been directed to tbelr (Filipinos) peace and prosperity, their
advancement and well-being, not for our aggrandizement or for pride of might,
not for trade or commerce, not for exploitation, hut for humanity aud cIvtltaatloB.
• • •
The American question Is between duty and desertion. The American verdict
will he for duty uud agutust desertion, for the republic agulust both anarchy uud
Imperialism.
Honest co operation of capital Is necessary to meet new business conditions,
and extend our rapidly Increasing foreign trade, lmt conspiracies and combina
tions Intended to restrict buslucss, create monopolies uud control prices sbould
be effectively restrained.
• • •
For labor a short day Is better than a short dollar.
...
Unless something unforeseen occurs to reduce our revenues or Increase onr ex
pendlftires, the Congress ut Us next session should reduce taxation very uia
terlully. • • •
We ought to own the ships for our carrying trade with the world, and we
ought to hu!Id them In American shipyards uud man them with Amerlcuu sailors.
'"ration uckunwledltig and accepting the
iverelgnty and authority of the United
Stall’s in and over the l'litll|i|ilnc islttnda.
I he 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 active hostilities are uot embraced
within the scope of this umnesty.
I'sy Offered for Hides.
"Ill order to uiltigratc as much us possible
consequences resulting front the various dis
turbances which since 1MM have succeeded
each other so rapidly, and to provide 111
some measure for destitute Filipino soldiers
during the transitory period which must
Inevitably succeed a general peace, the mili
tary a a l boil ties of the United States will
pay 30 pesos to each man who presents a
title In good condition."
I mler their Inst ructions the commission,
composed of representative Americans of
dlllerent sections of the country aud from
tillTereiit political parties, whose character
and ability guarantee the most faithful In
tclllgencc niul patriotic service, are now
laboring to establish stable government un
der civil control, lu which the Inhabitants
shall participate, giving them opportunity
to demonstrate how far they ure prepared
for self-government.
Quotes the Commission.
Tills commission, under dale of Aug. 21,
Its si, makes an Interesting report, from
which I quote the following exlraeta:
'Hostility against Americans was orig
luully aroused by absurd falsehoods of tut
scrupulous leaders. The distribution of
troops lit :’,0o posts has by contact largely
dispelled hostility, and steadily Improved
temper of people. 'I Ills Improvement Is fur
tbered by abuses of iusurgi uls. Large Hunt
bers of people long for peace anil are willing
to accept government under the Fulled
Stales.
Insurgents not surrendering after defeat
divided Into small guerrilla bauds under gen
erul odlccrs or liecaine robbers. Neurly all
of I be prominent generals and politicians of
the Insurrection, except Agttlualdo, have
since been captured or have surrendered aud
laketi the oath of allegiance, • • •
All northern l.uaon, except two provinces,
substantially free from Insurgents. I'copie
busy planting, and asking for municipal or
gaulxstlon Itallway and telegraph lines
front Manila to Inigupau. 122 miles, nut uio
tested for live months. • • •
1‘lnns .Native Militia.
"Tagalogs alone active In leading guerrilla
warfare lu Negros, Cebu, Kouiulun, Mas
bale. Mlmjan, Tabins. M"li"l atul Ollier pbll
Ipplne Islands little dlstitrbaucu eilata, anil
els 11 gm-rnuient eagerly uwaltel • •
l-'our year* of war and lawleasneaa In
parta of laiaud* have created unsettled con
dl lions • • * Native constabulary aud
militia, which should be organised at once,
will end this and the terrorism to which de
feuseleas people are subjected, The uatlvea
desire to enlist tn these urganlaalluns. If
Judiciously sole, ted aud ..lb ered. will be
efficient forces for uiatuienoiicv of order, and
will permit early material rrdoeitou of
I Ulled males tloops
Turning Islands oier to coterie of Tags
leg politicians will blight fair prospects of
enormous Improvement, drive .ml capital,
make life ii | property s. utar and felig
ton* most tnsc. or.- banish In fear of cruel
pr.», rlpiton c nsPlersble l>"d j of cos serf s
life cttlp nos Who have aid'd American* la
Weil foutided belief that their people are
noi now gi for *e f « .»er«ni*ut, and »•intro
dice same oppress!*.ti awl vi"fuptn»u wbl, a
eitsied las all provinces un«li r Mtlolos tn
siirgeat govet ament during in. • eght !*•««* I b«
uf lift Vuftttu! Tb«* l>f
*• . i 4 i * ■* * s'4 iTfi, > *H!I
mirtti.v »»*•! mil r««|iiir» «n*t Mill*
M* iwM f uUf § tfU M HI t*f |> Mti
wtb#r • • •
IlikiMM bv mr mu d tm \
I*ri4««> I «« If »< • «F • • • Ilk Srdf «
U»vl« ft*-.**' U III! *f#f NfstN, !
directed to their peace and prosperity, their
advancement and well being, not for our ug
graudlaement nor for pride of might, not for
trade or commerce, not for exploitation, hut
for humanity and civilisation, and for the
protection of the vast majority of the popu
lation who welcome our sovereignty against
the designing minority whose first demand
after the surrender of Maullu by the .Span
ish army was to enter the 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 lougcr hold that there was any 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 bnd resolved, If the
commander of the American navy would
give them arms with which to tight the
Spanish army, they would laler turn upon
us, which they did murderously ami without
tin' shadow of cause or Justification.
There may be those without the means of
full Information who believe that we were
In alliance with the Insurgents and that we
assured them that they should have Inde
pendence. To such let me repeat the facts:
on the 20th of May, ISPS, Admiral Itewejr
wits Instructed by me to make no alliance
with any party or faction In the Philippines
that would Incur liability to maintain titclr
cause In the future, and he replied under
dale of June II, IMIS:
"Have ueted according to spirit of depart
ment's Instructions front the beginning, Hml
I have entered into no ulllance with the In
surgents or with any faction. This Htpuidron
can reduce the defense* of Manila ut tiny
moment, hut It Is considered useless until
the arrival of sulltclent Lulled Stales forces
to retain possession.”
Iteno-e Any (.oitipnrt.
In the report of the tlrst Philippine com
mission, submitted ou No?. 2, 1 hi ill, Admiral
licwcjr, one uf Its members, said:
No ulllame of any kind nut entered Into
with Agidnuldo nor was nny promise of Ui
dependence made to him at any time."
< if tier a I Merritt arrived In the Philippines
ou July '.’.'i. |s'.t,H. and a tllspau-h from Ad
mlral Itewey to the guverument ai Wash
lugton said:
Merritt arrived yesterday. Situation la
most critical at Manila The Spanish may
surrender at auy moment. Merritt a most
difficult problem will be how to deal with
the Insurgents tinder Agidnaldo, who have
liecome aggressive and even threatening to
ward our army."
Here Is revealed the spirit of the Insur
geulv at early as July, isim, before the pro.
tucol was signed, while we were still rn
gaged In active war with Spain Kten then
the Invurgeuts were threatening our army.
Plllplsav Took No Port.
<>u Aug. 13 Manila was captured, and of
Ibis ami auhaequenl events the Philippine
commission nays
When the Pity of Manila was taken. Aug
13, ike Filipinos look no part In the attack,
but came fudow tug la with a view to loot,
lug the city and were ou y prevented from
doing so Py our forces patenting them from
entering AgoltsaUlu claimed that be kad
the right to occupy the city Me demanded
uf tiea<ral Merritt the pse.e uf Malacauaa
fur himself and the cession uf all Ike
. burettes • f M tails alto that a part of the
money taken from the ttpantsids a* sp-dia
•*f war should or given up, and. above all.
that he sbuuld be given the arms of the
Spanish prisoners All tbeoe demands wete
refused
No Protsttees Matte,
tieaerala Merrill, Ureeh# and And*r*> t
who were la ■ .ot.n >.« I at the beginning uf
uur oe ipoti-m and until the surrender of
VIsul s, state that there was h alliance
s' k the les trgeula s u se to them
uf Indepen lem* Aug If. I mm, Ueneral
M'trltt was iastmeted that there most ns
a- ).. »• w • t a t lit. a wl'k the Is
su.'gsuia uagetat AUtinv, under date of
Keli. 10, 1000, says that he was present at
the Interview between Admiral Ilewey and
the Insurgent leader, and that In this Inter
view Admiral Dewey made no promise*
whatever. He adds:
"He <Agulnal'Ioi asked me if tny govern
ment was going to recognize his govern
raent. I answered that 1 was there simply
In a military capacity; that I could not ae
knowledge his government, because I had no
authority to do uo."
Kusy to Find Fault.
Would not our adversaries have sent
Dewey's fleet to Manila to capture aud de
stroy the Spanish sea power there, or, dis
patching It there, would they have with
drawn It after the destruction of the Span
lah fleet; aud 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 our adversaries condemn the evpedl
tlon under the rommtiml of General Merritt
to strengthen Dewey lu 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 nol our duty to protect the
lives and property of thoae who came within
our control by the fortunes of war? Could
we have come away at any time between
May 1, 1898, aud the conclusion of peace
without a stain upon our good name? Could
we have come away without dishonor at any
time after the ratification of the peace treaty
by the Senate of the I'nltetl 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 cottld surrender our
sovereignty or alienate a foot of the terrl
tory thus acquired. The Congress has not
seen lit to do the one or the other, and the
President had no authority t« do either, if
hr had been so Inclined, wbb'h lie was nol.
So long as the sovereignty remains lu us It
Is the duty of the executive, whoever hi1
may be. to uphold that sovereignty, and If It
lie attacked to suppress Its assailants. Would
our political adversaries do less?
Ik gun l»y I iisurcrttls.
It has been asserted that there would have
been no fighting In the Philippine* If t'on
gross had declared Ils purpose to give Inde
pendonoe to the Tagnl Insurgent*. The In
surgenls did not wall fur the action of Con
gress. They assumed the offensive, they
opened tire on our army.
Those who assort our responsibility for
the beginning of the conflict have forgotten
that before the treaty was ratified In the
Senate, and while It was being debated In
that body, and while the llaeun resolution
was under discussion, on Feb. 4. 1S9P, the
Insurgents ultaeked the Amerletm arnty,
after being previously advised iliut the
American force* were under orders not to
fire upon them eieept In defense. The pa
pers found In the recently captured archives
of the Insurgents demonstrate that this si
tack bad been carefully planned for weeks
before It occurred.
Only One Course Open.
Tbelr unprovoked ussault upon our sol
dlers at a lime when the Senate was delib
erating upon the treaty shows that no hc
lion on our pari except surrender and aban
donment would have prevented the lighting,
and leaves no doubt In any fair mind where
the responsibility rests for the shedding of
Amerlcnu blood.
With all the exaggerated phrusetnaklitg
of this electoral contest, we are In danger of
lielug diverted from the real contention. We
ure In agreement with ull of lltoae who slip
ported the war with Spain, and also with
those who counseled the ratification of the
treaty of peace. Upon these two great es
sential steps there ran he uo Issue, and out
of Iheae came all of our responsibilities. If
others would shirk the obligation* Imposed
bj the war anti the treaty, we must decline
to act further with them, aud here the Issue
was made.
It la our purpose to establish In the Philip
plnea a government suitable to the wants
and renditions of the Inhabitant*, and In
prepare them for self government, aud to
give them self-government when they are
ready for It, and u* rapidly ns .they are
ready for It. That I am aiming to do under
my constitutional authority, and will con
tinue l<> do until Congress shall determine
the political atatus of the Inhabitant* of the
archipelago.
Pleu for Consistency.
Are our opponent* against the treaty? If
ho, they mUHl he reminded that It could not
have been ratified In the Senate but for tbelr
assistance. The Senate which ratified the
treaty anil the Congress which added Ils
sanction by a large appropriation comprised
Hcualors and ltepreacntatlves of the people
of all parlies.
Would our opponents surrender to the In
surgents, abandon our sovereignly or cede It
to them? If that be not tbelr purpose, then
It should be promptly disclaimed, for only
evil eat) result front the hopes raised by our
opponent* lit the minds of the Filipinos, that
with their success at Hie pulls In November
there wdll he a withdrawal of our army and
of American sovereignty over the archknda
go, the complete Independence of the Tags
log people recognized ami the powers of
government over all the other peoples of the
archipelago conferred upon the Tagalog
leuders.
Prolongs the Kcliellion.
The effect »f a belief In Ihe minds of the
Insurgent* that till* will lie done liu* it I
ready prolonged the rebellion and Increases
the necessity for the continuance of a large
army. It I* now delaying full peace in the
archipelago and the eMtHbllsbiiielit of elvll
government*, ami hits Influenced many of
the In.xiirgcnt* agaliiNt accepting the liberal
term* of amnesty offered by (Sen. MacArtlmr
under my direction. But for tbe*c fal*e
hope* a considerable reduction could have
ben bad In our tiillllary cKtabllHhmcnl In the
Philippine* aud the realisation of n stable
government would be already at hand.
The American people are asked by our op
ponent* to yield tile sovereignty of the
United States in the Philippines to h 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 right
fnl possession under the protocol with
Spain, awaiting the ratllicatlon of the treaty
of peace by the Senate, and which has since
been In setlve, open rebeillou against ttie
Palled Stale- \ve are asked to transfer
our sovereignty to u small mluority In the
Islands without consulting the majority and
to abandon the largest portion of the popu- j
latloii, which ha- been loyal to us, to the 1
cruelties of the guerrilla lusurgeut baud*.
Ucmand* liinnot lie Met.
More than this, we are asked to protect
this mluority In establishing a government,
aud to this end repress all opposition of the
majority. We are required to *et up a sta
ble government In ihe Interest of those who
have assailed our sovereignty aud tired upou
our soldiers, aud llieu maintain It at uuy
cost or sacrifice against Its enemies within
aud against those having ambitious de*tgus
from without.
This would require an army and navy far
larger than Is now maintained In the Philip
pines and still more In rt<ess of what wilt
be necessary with the full recognition of our
sovereignly A military support •if author
Ity not our own, ss thus prop"*cd, u ihe very
etseuee of militarism, which <ur oppouviiis
ia their platform oppose, but which by their
policy would of necessity he established la
its most c*< itslve form
No l‘rawitum on Murder.
The American people will nor make the
murderers of oar soldiers the sgtuts of the i
republic to contey the blessing* of liberty j
aad order to the Philippines They will not >
make them the builders of the new corumoa 1
j wealth Much a course would be ■ betrayal I
{of our sacred obligations to the peaceful mi
I plan# and would plate at the Utcft v of dap |
gefoo* adventurers the live* and pr .party of
I the natives and fotrlguers it would task
possible and easy the otiupbtlus of such
ilfmluea at were secretly planned to be j
eve> ttted oa ihe |M of lehruary. law. In j
I the I'll* of VII lit 14 whoa only the itgtEssc# !
| of Hgf army prevented the attempt tw *****
| sfuate our w ither* sad gnets sad |
r:
saw
la short, the ytupdlllss of those opposed |
In u» to continue all the ol iigalb ns in the!
Philippi*** which hew teat up -a tpr put ,ta [
oseni. usij > hssglsg the relation tvns* pyta I
. rtygl. which non >tb'«, Is ib*i of sorety I
Into responsibility I* lo remain but our pow !
I »r la to ha tHstUltVrd tho obligation l* Ini
| ha an b 04, hut ml Hike It Is ha surrendered {
to another power, which Is without experi
ence or training, or tlie ability to mulntaln 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 onr responsi
bility, and onr present responsibility Is to
establish our authority In every part of the
Islands.
No government can so certainly preserve
the pence, restore public order, establish
law. justice and stable conditions as ours.
Neither Congress nor the Kxeeutlvc can es
tablish a stable government In these Islands
except under sur right of sovereignty, onr
authority and our ting. And this we are do
lug
We could not do It as n protectorate power
so completely or so successfully ns we are
doing It now. As the sovereign power we
■ an Initiate action and shape means to ends,
and guide the Filipinos to self development
ami self government.
Asa protectorate power we could not Inl
tlate action, but would lie compelled to fol
low and uphold a people with no capacity
yet to go alone. In the one ease we cun 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 hud come.
Consent of the Ooverned.
Ilcsldcs, 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
minority of the people nor n 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 cosily
war*.
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 own to guuruutee another
sovereignty.
Our title Is good. Our peace commlsslon
ers believed they were receiving a good title
when they concluded the treaty The execu
tive believed It was a good title when he
submitted It to the Senate of the United
Stales for Its rutltleallon. The Senate be
lieved It was a good title when they gave It
their constitutional assent, and the Con
gress seems not to have doubted Its com
pleteness when they appropriated $20,000,0iX)
provided by the treaty.
Title 1* Unquestionable.
If any who favored It* ratification believed
It gave u* a bad title they were not Nlneere.
iliir title I* inartbally Identical with that
under which we hold our territory acquired
•luce the beginning of the government, and
under which we have exercised full sov
ereignty ami established government for the
Inhabitant*.
It In worthy of note that no use notable of
the United Slates disputes the fullness and
Integrity of the cession. What, then, 1* the
real Issue on this subjectV Whether It Is
paramount to nny other or not. It Is whether
we shall lie responsible for the government
of (he I'hlllpplnes, with the sovereignty and
authority which enables us to guide them to
regulated liberty, law, safely and progress,
or whether we shall be responsible for tb*
forcible and arbitrary government of a mi
nority, without aoverelgnty and authority
on our part, and with only the embarrass
ment of a protectorate, which draws us Into
llielr trouble* without the power of prevent
ing them.
Obligations of War.
There were those who two years ago were
rushing us on to war with Mpalu who are
unwilling now to areent It* clear conse
quences, ns there nre those among us who
advocated the ratification of the treaty of
peace, but now protest ugalnst Its obliga
tion*. Nations which go to war must he
prepared to accept Its resultant obligations,
and when they make treaties must keep
them.
Those who profess to distrust the llhersl
and honorable purposes of the administra
tion In Its treatment of the l'hlllpplnea are
not Justified. Imperialism has uo place In
Its creed or conduct. Freedom Is a rock up
on which the Republican party was bulbled
and now rests. Liberty 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 ull without tba
consent of muster or slave.
Htruln of Hypocrisy.
There Is a strain of 111 concealed hypocrisy
In the anxiety to extend the constliutlonal
guarantee* to the people of the I’hlllpplnes,
while their imlllth-atlon Is openly advocated
nl home. Our opponent may distrust them
selves, but they have uo right to discredit
lhe good faith and patriotism of the major
ity of the people who are opposed to them.
They may fear the worst form of Imperial
ism with the helpless Filipinos In their
hands, but If they do It Is because they have
parted with the spirit and faith of the fath
ers and have lost the virility of the founders
of the party which they profesa to represent.
The Republican party doesn’t have to as
sert Its devotion to the Iieelaratlon of Inde
pendence. That Immortal Instrument of lha
father* remained unexecuted until the peo
ple. under the lead of the Republican party
in the awful clash of battle, turned Its prom
ises Into fulfillment. It wrote Into the Con
stitution the amendments guaranteeing po
litical equality to American citizenship, and
It has never broken them or counselled oth
ers lit breaking them. It will not be guided
In Its conduct by one set of principle* at
borne ami another set In the new territory
belonging to the United States.
irocirme or iiintnm.
If oor opponents would only practice as
well as preach the doctrines of Abraham
Lincoln there would he no fear for the safe
ly of our Institutions al home or I heir frlght
nd Influence In any territory over which our
ttsg flouts.
Umpire has been expelled from Porto Ulco
nnd the Philippines by American freemen.
The ling of the republic now Boats over tltcss
Islands as an emblem of rightful sovereign
ty. Will the republic stay nnd dispense to
their Inhabitants the blessings of liberty,
education anti free Inatllutlous. or steal
away, leaving them to uuurchy or Imperial
ism 1
The American question Is between duty
and desertion. The American verdict will
tic for duty and against desertion, for the
Itepubllc against both uuurchy uud Imperial
ism.
The country lias Im-cu fully advised of the
purpose* of the I'ulted States In f'blnn and
they will tie faithfully adhered to us already
drfined.
Hiitferers III IVkin.
The nation Is filled with gratitude that the
little baud, among them many of our owa
blood, who for two months had beeu sub
jected to prlvatlou* sod peril by the attucka
of pitiless hordes at the i'blu**e capital, ex
hibiting supreme courage In the face of de
spair. have been enabled by find • favor to
greet their rescuers and dud shelter uudsr
their o»u Bag
The people not alone of this laud, hut of
all laud*, nave watched slid prayed through
tha teri title stress sud protrsrted agony of
the helpless sufferer* lu iTktu. and while
at time* the dark tiding* seemed to iu*ke all
hope vatu, the rescuer* never faltered In the
heroic fulfillment of their noble task Wo
s*e grateful to our own soldier* suit sailors
sad marines, sa l to sit the brave mru otto,
though assembled uinter many standards.
I represent In 4 people# nnd fair* sirsuger* la
I country and Spee< h, were yet united In tbs
hi red mission of carrying *u. cor to the he
sieged with S *1. cess tkst t* now ibe causs
Of s world * rep.Meg
1‘wssmg of * ev 11..o.vlism.
Not only have we r*w* a for thsnksgti lug
for ouV material blessing*, but we should re
jutce Is the complete uolNeatlon of the pew
pie of ttl section. . f out . <,.,mry that has
so hspptly develop, d In ike bt.t few teats
a tot n.ade for Us a Bt- tt iierfe.l uniou tks
-tdllrrS'loW of old 4iff.ren.unv, the rsstsisa
«lein#b-s to the Bag and the eomtn.dl toe
j (tgees lor Its h- u-r *o — ■—pi—t fiti sh-wa
c« me o.en af ike Norik sud *ustk la tkr
bpOMstt asr. have s. at , ftn.iod tke tie#
I friend-nip sud tnut c.i reaped that sstk
li I - an ever *4 >lt* dl.bte u*
Ike natb-u no. the new rvsttri grot*
fatty and k-cef.dli alth ls- n «dsr t-»se of
>*sstff. with tr. faith in Its free InsMts
ll>»s, *ad with b<gk rew-dv* Ikat they skali
not perish ft*n the **rth " l»rt respect fa
if years. HILMAU II i Nl.ki.