HAWAIIAN COMMISSION AND IRVING H. PALMER LETTER

Queen Lilioukalani of Hawaii.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, September 9, 1898.

HAWAIIAN COMMISSION.

It Has Visited the Various Islands of the Group.

ACCOMPLISHED MUCH GOOD.

The Natives Had an Idea That Annexation Was Only a War Measure—Ex-Queen Lilioukalani Visits the Volcano With the Commissioners—Other Events.

   SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9.—The steamer Glengyle, which arrived here from Hong Kong and Yokohama via Honolulu, brought the following advices from Honolulu under date of Aug. 31:

   The congressional commission, with the exception of President Dole, left for the other islands on Aug. 23 and returned on Aug. 28 after visiting the principal towns of Maui and Hawaii. In speaking of the trip, Senator Morgan said: "I think we accomplished some good on the tour. I think we very effectively disposed of the prevalent idea among the natives that annexation was only a war measure. We are satisfied that the Hawaiians now thoroughly understand our position, and that when we speak we do so by authority."

   Ex-Queen Lilioukalani arrived at Hilo at the same time the commissioners arrived and accompanied them in a separate conveyance to the volcano. She was introduced to members of the commission, but no political talk was indulged in. The ex-queen was more than gracious and extended every courtesy to members of the commission. On the voyage from Lehaina members of the congressional party were presented with royal leis by order of the ex-queen, and Senator Cullom, Minister Sewall and others personally thanked the former ruler of the islands for the pretty gifts. The people of the island seem to appreciate the visit of the commission and have done much to enlighten the Hawaiians on the subject of annexation.

   General Merriam states that his orders from Washington are to hold everything at Honolulu until he hears from the government again. These instructions apply to the Tacoma and her live stock as well as to the Arizona and her troops. It will take about three weeks more to complete the repairs on the Tacoma, and it was thought here that she will never go to Manila.

   The steamer Alliance, arrived here Aug. 27 with Companies F, G and H of the First New York. Surgeon Davis was also on board with a complete outfit for a 40 bed hospital in Honolulu.

   The steamship Arizona has arrived here with the third battalion, Eighteenth infantry recruits of the First Colorado, First Nebraska, Tenth Pennsylvania and Third artillery, in all 1,200 men besides General Merriam and the Red Cross corps. Preparations are being made to have the troops on the Arizona camp at Kapiolani Park in case they are to be held here instead of going to Manila.

   Sergeant Ormunde Fletcher, Company E, Second regiment, U. S. V. engineers, died Aug. 31 of rheumatism.  He was for four years county surveyor at Portland, Ore. About 15 of the Second regiment of U. S. V. engineers will be sent back to San Francisco. Most of them are suffering from climatic fever. The Honolulu stock exchange has been organized.

   At the request of the carnival committee of Topeka, Kan., a native woman has been selected as carnival queen. She is Miss Anna Rose of Hilo, Hawaii.

 

CHINESE IN HAWAII.

They Ask to Have All the Rights That Other Residents Have.

   SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9.—The Chinese of the Hawaiian islands have presented a memorial to the members of the congressional committee asking that all the Chinese that have become naturalized under the laws of Hawaii, and all children born in Hawaii, be permitted the right of transit to and from all parts of the United States; that in the laws affecting the immigration of Chinese labor, special provisions be made for the importation by the owners of rice plantations of a limited number of Chinese laborers to work such plantations; that the Chinese be permitted to bring into this country their children and also women of good character; that Chinese merchants be permitted to import clerks for their business establishments; that Chinese be given the same privileges as are given to other residents in the community; that the system of penal labor contracts be abolished.

 

ECHOES OF THE WAR.

Military Notes and Items About the Recent Conflict.

   The plan of General Lawton, military governor of Santiago province, to furnish food and employment to such of the Cuban insurgents as lay down their arms and return to their homes, has been approved by the government at Washington.

   Riotous scenes took place in the Spanish house of parliament. Politicians were blamed for bringing on the war and for its disastrous results. The Spanish government will not allow the particulars to be published or sent out by wire.

   The Fifth Pennsylvania volunteer regiment has been ordered to Clearfield, Pa., the Ninth Pennsylvania to Wilkes-Barre, and the Twelfth Pennsylvania to Williamsport to be mustered out.

   A committee of three Filipinos, appointed by Aguinaldo, has left Hong Kong in order to confer with President McKinley upon the future of the Philippine islands.

   There are now 761 patients in the general hospital at Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, and 930 in the detention hospital.

   General Shafter has been called to Washington and during his absence General Wheeler will again be in command at Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point.

   Six deaths occurred in the general hospital at Montauk Point, two of them being brothers named Keene of the Ninth Massachusetts.

   The sickness at Camp Black has considerably decreased, but there will be no change of orders for regiments to go to Camp Meade, Pa.

   General Pando of the Spanish army sailed from New York for Europe on the steamer Augusta Victoria.

Rear Admiral William T. Sampson.

 

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

   ◘ General Lawton is exhibiting practical abilities of a high order for civil government as governor of Santiago. When Cubans come into the city, bearing arms, and ask for food he requires them to surrender their guns and go to work improving the city's sanitary conditions. He says he will give rations to all men who come to town, give up their arms and work, but he will not supply men who persist in keeping arms and sulking in the hills, when they ought to be on the plantations helping to make the harvest. General Lawton wants the Cubans to understand that the fight is ended. Cuba is free and the business of Cubans is to get to work, make the island blossom and show their capacity for self-government—if they have any.

   ◘ The clothing of a soldier in the detention hospital at Camp Wikoff was burned, $12 in the shirt pocket being overlooked. The man had received a furlough, and he relied on the money to pay his fare home. When informed that it had been burned he collapsed, and it was necessary again to put him on his cot. As he was lying overcome with disappointment, a nurse came to him and said that it was a mistake about his money being burned. She then handed him $12 out of her own pocket. The soldier believed her, and after receiving the money dropped peacefully to sleep. The nurse was Miss Harriet E. Hawley, daughter of the senator from Connecticut.

   ◘ It cannot be supposed that Americans have learned in the past few weeks, for the first time, that the most cruel suffering of war is not in battle. Yet in the hour of triumph some Americans are insulting the government and dishonoring the American name by petulant complaints against the efficiency and even the honesty of the administration, and conducting themselves not like men worthy of the future of the country, but like a mob of hysterical Parisians. The sense of justice and the sense of moderation, so characteristic of Americans, forbid that the work of discrediting the government should be successful.—New York Sun.

   ◘ Mrs. Sampson, the wife of the admiral, who saw her husband tor the first time since the outbreak of the war only upon the conclusion of the naval parade in New York, declared that no one would ever know what a shock it was to her to see him so changed, looking twenty years older and so haggard, and his eyelids drooping over his eyes, as if he had little interest left in anything. From his ordinary spare figure thirty pounds has been lost.

   ◘ On Monday next there will be opened 103 new and old schoolhouses, three high schools and one truant school in Manhattan and the Bronx; 121 school buildings, one training school, one truant school and one high school in Brooklyn; sixty-five schoolhouses in Queens, and twenty-nine in Richmond. And yet 30,000 children will be crowded out for lack of room.

 

Emilio Aguinaldo.

THE PHILIPPINE INSURGENTS.

Their Attitude is Dangerous—It is Weakening Their Case.

   NEW YORK, Sept. 9.—A dispatch to The Herald from Manila says: The attitude of the Philippine insurgent leaders is daily becoming more dangerous. So open is their opposition to the American authorities that the situation is strained and reconciliation may be difficult. What makes the situation the more troublesome is the undisguised rivalry between the followers of General Aguinaldo, the self-proclaimed dictator, and General Pio Pilar, who covets the honor which Aguinaldo has acquired.

   General Pio Pilar is in command of insurgent troops stationed south of Manila. He uses them in a way that will be most annoying to Aguinaldo, and at the same time makes every effort to show his utter disregard of the American officials. His forces continue to patrol the city, encouraging lawlessness in every direction. They are constantly annoying the American troops, who are engaged in the difficult task of preserving order.

   Aguinaldo's course is no less annoying. He no longer attempts to conceal his hostility to the officials who represent the United States, and yesterday issued an order prohibiting his soldiers from entering the American lines. This course was probably deemed necessary in order to prevent them from becoming so well disposed toward Americans as to destroy his power by repudiating his leadership.

   The attitude of the rival leaders cannot fail in the end to injure the cause of Philippine independence. Certainly it will prevent the presentation of a strong case before the Paris peace commission in behalf of the Philippines.

 

MEDICAL SOCIETY

Of Cortland County Held Its Quarterly Meeting Thursday Afternoon.

   The quarterly meeting of the Cortland County Medical society was held in the supervisors' rooms in Cortland Thursday afternoon. The meeting was called to order at 2 o'clock by the president, Dr. M. L. Halbert, these members being present: Drs. Reese, Higgins, Bennett, Neary and Ver Nooy of Cortland; Braman, Whitney and Green of Homer; Hendrick and Smith of McGrawville; Halbert and Kinyon of Cincinnatus and Van Hoesen of Truxton. Drs. Eisner or Syracuse, Andrews of Pitcher and White of Harford were also present, and on motion were invited to take part in the proceedings of the meeting.

   After the reading of the minutes of the last meeting a discussion followed on "Complications in Obstetric Practice" and under that head short papers were presented by Dr. Reese on ''Malpositions of the Foetus," "Hemorrhage" by Dr. Whitney; "Placenta Praevia" by Dr. Van Hoesen; "Convulsions" by Dr. Green; "Use of Forceps" by Dr. Higgins.

   The discussion of the different papers was waived for the time that Dr. Eisner might present his paper in time to return home. Dr. Eisner's subject was "Malignant Endocarditis and its Differentiation from the more Severe Forms of Morbus Maculosus," and the doctor spoke for nearly an hour giving a most instructive and interesting lecture on this and not common disease. On motion, a vote of thanks was given to Dr. Eisner for his kindness in coming down and for his very able paper.

   Under the head of miscellaneous business Dr. Van Hoesen called up the resolutions presented at the meeting in March relative to fees in lunacy examinations, etc., and after some discussion by those present Dr. Van Hoesen made a motion that the resolutions referred to, be drawn off by the secretary and presented to the members of the society for their signature, but that in no case should the resolutions become operative until four-fifths of the members had signed them. The motion was carried.

   The name of Dr. Lucius C. Andrews of Pitcher was presented for membership and, on motion was referred to the board of censors who retired and soon returned with a favorable recommendation, and on motion Dr. Andrews was elected a member of the society. On motion the meeting then adjourned.

   F. H. GREEN, secretary.

 

DUTY AND DESTINY

Require the Annexation of the Entire Philippine Group of Islands.

   To the Editor of the STANDARD:

   SIR—What shall be done with the Philippines is the most strenuous question of the hour. Among the objections made to bringing this group of islands under the flag and sovereignty of the United States are, first, that the constitution does not expressly provide for the annexation of territory to the United States, and the right to annex without express authority is denied.

   It will hardly be questioned, that the British constitution at the time of the American revolution, did provide for territorial expansion; and it will scarcely be denied that the United States took from the mother country such parts of her constitution as were not inconsistent or in conflict with the constitution adopted by the United States, which contains nothing in any wise forbidding the annexation of foreign or additional territory. The constitutional right to acquire the sovereignty of the Philippines may easily be defended on the ground that the unrepealed provisions of the British constitution, which constitutes the unwritten part of the American constitution, upholds it. The Magna Charta and the Bill of Rights were thus made a part of the organic law of the United States as effectually as if they had been expressly incorporated therein by the convention which adopted and submitted it to the people for their approval as a part of the constitution of the United States.

   Moreover, by international law and the concert of nations, every nation has the power to cede and acquire sovereignty and jurisdiction over any of their territories, and in the event of a contest over conflicting claims thereto the stronger prevails. This is the right of conquest to the spoils of war and is the origin and a means of acquiring sovereignty and title, older than any constitution, which has been recognized among civilized nations from the earliest dawn of history. The right to annex and cede territory and sovereignty, is an incident of sovereignty and is a right and power which the sovereign takes by implication. Florida was acquired from Spain, Louisiana from France, Texas, California, New Mexico, Arizona and other territory from Mexico, Alaska from Russia and the Sandwich Islands from the Hawaiian republic. In the light of such precedents, arguments and objections based upon the absence of express constitutional authority, sanctioning territorial expansion, as a result of conquest or as an incident of war, are too trivial and frivolous to merit serious consideration.

   Again we are told the Monroe Doctrine forbids the annexation of the Philippines. Many of those who now urge this objection have hitherto denounced the Monroe Doctrine as having no sanction in international law and no support or authority beyond a political leader's ipse dixit, developed by political controversies, into a quasi-national tradition. Those who have thus discredited the Monroe Doctrine, become ridiculous when they seek to erect a formidable objection to territorial expansion on such a discredited foundation.

   Stripped of all disguises, the Monroe Doctrine is a declaration, that in view of the fact that the United States has never interfered to effect the balance of power in Europe, and having no intention, purpose or interest so to do, will regard the acquisition of territory, which may be used as a base of military or naval operations against the United States, as an unfriendly act, and a possible cause for war. In short, if we were thus menaced, we should not postpone measures for our defense until actually threatened or attacked, but should hold ourselves justified in attacking a nation so offending, at once, without further provocation. This declaration of the Monroe Doctrine contains no allegation or stipulation, express or implied, that the United States will not expand her possessions. There is nothing in the policy of expansion to conflict with the Monroe Doctrine, but if there were it should constitute no obstacle to the extension of the sovereignty of the United States, over any territory not in Europe, unless it served to disturb the balance of power existing among European nations, in which case there might be some grounds for contending that the consent of European nations to the proposed annexation should first be obtained.

   Again we are told that territorial expansion is opposed to the traditional policy of the United States. If the United States ever had a foreign policy, beyond the Monroe Doctrine and Washington's farewell address, it was never disclosed. It would puzzle the most astute to define what the traditional policy of the United States was at any time. Our institutions and the frequent and sudden changes in public opinion have doubtless been unfavorable to the development and adoption of a settled, traditional foreign policy. Our diplomacy has dealt with every question of foreign policy upon its merits with little regard to traditional lines or precepts. So much is this the case, that we have occasionally been accused of not being in good form, and of violating diplomatic etiquette by the brusque candor of our diplomatic correspondence and intercourse. In short, that our diplomacy has been wanting in duplicity, dissimulation and hypocrisy, it is to our national credit as a people that we may plead guilty to this charge without turpitude or disgrace.

   Evidences of the existence of any traditional policy opposed to the territorial expansion of the United States has only been discovered by those political Pharisees and hermaphrodites, the Mugwumps, by introspection. Adams, Jefferson, Jackson, Marcy, Webster, Seward and Grant have left their impress upon American institutions and traditions; all these and many other distinguished Americans have been advocates of expansion, and constitute an array of authority sufficient to overwhelm all opposition. Again it is alleged that the founders of our government prescribed for us a national policy of isolation, unaggressiveness and complacency which is inconsistent with national expansion, and Washington's farewell address is cited to uphold this contention, which it does not support. It is true that in his farewell address Washington warns us against entangling foreign alliances, but not against territorial expansion or the exaction from our recent enemy of the only war indemnity in poor Spain's power to give, without taxing her already overburdened population to an extent which must constitute the refinement of cruelty. Consideration for humanity forbids us to add to their grievous burdens, and demands that we shall free the insurgents of the Philippines and the Antilles from the merciless misrule of Spain and thereby confer the greatest favor in our power to bestow, upon both the people of Spain and her colonies, by at once terminating their fratricidal strife and removing the bone of their contention, and thereby depriving the Spanish government of the power to oppress the one, and of the pretext for overtaxing the other, leaving decrepit Spain free to reform or go to the devil at her own gait, and at the same time offering to the insurgents of the East and West Indies, civilization, liberty and enlightenment and prosperity under the national sovereignty and protection of the United States. We cannot do less without national turpitude.

   The insurgents of the Philippines, of Cuba and Porto Rico have contributed to our success. They have fought our enemy, obeyed the orders of our generals, respected the armistice made upon our terms and conditions, have discontinued hostilities, and have even surrendered their arms to us, upon the assurance that they should not again be subjected to the cruel misrule of Spain. We cannot betray them into the hands of their enemies and break faith with them without ignominy and the sacrifice of national honor, pride and self-respect; while duty and interest unite to require that we should assume the sovereignty and rule over the entire Philippine archipelago, not as a measure of revenge for the treacherous destruction of the Maine, but because Spain has irretrievably lost these islands, whether we annex them or not. Her possession of them threatens the peace of the world and she is too weak and too wicked to rule them longer. Finally we should keep them as a historical souvenir and example of divine justice and mercy.

   Following the disclosure of the weakness of China, the European powers commenced the systematic looting of Chinese territory. France, Russia and Germany make no secret of their intention to exploit and appropriate the territory, the wealth and commerce of such portions of that moribund country as they may succeed in acquiring sovereignty over and bringing within the spheres of their influence and to exclude therefrom the commerce of other countries. They stand ready to do the same with the Philippines; and the German squadron was ready to commence, at the first reverse to American arms, and repeat the experiment practiced upon Japan at the close of her war with China, and were only kept from it by fear. To check this scheme of the nations of continental Europe and preserve her influence and power, Great Britain has announced her support of the "open door" for the commerce of the East. That is, that there shall be no exclusion of the commerce of any nation by the creation of spheres of influence, and trade shall be left to follow its own natural laws and channels, instead of being monopolized within spheres of influence by force. To the support of the principles of the "open door,'' Great Britain invites Japan and the United States. The contest between protection and free trade is thereby transferred to an international arena; and from being a question of political economy, it is about to become a question of international politics and diplomacy, which will eventually be settled, if at all, by war. This is the secret of Great Britain's friendly attitude toward the United States. It also supplied her motive for the arbitration treaty, which recently found some sophomoric advocates among Americans. Its purpose was to embroil us in this war for the loot of China—to take pot luck in the divisions of spoils, in which the lion would have demanded his share and the eagle would have retained only that with which he could fly away.

   From the strategic position of the Philippines we shall have the option to remain an interested spectator, or become an actor in this drama with equal advantage, and be entitled to be present at any division or the spoils on our own invitation and call a halt on the proceedings if they displease us, and our interest prompts us to interfere. We shall never have to subjugate the natives of these islands, except by such pacification as just laws economically administered, sanitary and material improvements, schools, missions and other instrumentalities of an enlightened civilization will accomplish. A small garrison, with sufficient railroads for the concentration of troops to suppress disturbances, should any occur, will prove sufficient, so far as the natives are concerned. But if we yield a foothold there to some of the European powers, or allow Spain to retain any part of these islands, it will be necessary to maintain expensive and powerful garrisons at more than one place; and we shall have given the inch which will cost us many an ell; (with an h prefixed thereto).

   Therefore, keep all the Philippines. No divided sovereignty, no divided sway will be peaceful, effectual or permanent. The presence of other powerful, warlike nations in the Philippines will make it difficult to defend and retain our possessions there. The presence of weak nations will afford a constant temptation for the strong to acquire their holdings and impose upon us the burden of defending them. The solidarity and patriotism of the natives must be maintained; the ambition to become a nation of themselves may soon develop as they advance in civilization, and will serve to stimulate them to efforts in their own behalf. Native troops, commanded by American officers, can be made to defend the Philippines against any attack by foreign nations. Service in an army, engaged in defending their own country, homes and institutions, will serve to inculcate patriotism and afford a means of educating the natives in the duties of citizenship, if properly conducted.

   Our success in the pacification of savages, in the suppression of polygamy, the abolition of slavery and in the assimilation of all races of men into American citizens, tasks of far greater magnitude and difficulty than any presented by the annexation of the Philippines, qualifies us by an ample and diversified experience for this task and insures us against failure.

   The value of the commerce, which the possession of these islands will develop, can scarcely be overestimated. In such a commerce is to be found the only adequate remedy for the congested condition, which depresses our industries. Such a thing as overproduction is impossible, where the law of supply and demand is not violated. If there is an oversupply of any commodity, the remedy is to find an additional market for it. This market is to be found in the Philippines and the countries of Asia bordering on the shores of the Pacific ocean. When relieved of sacerdotal and Spanish despotism, these natives will become peaceful and will soon acquire the arts, the tastes, the wants and even the vices of civilization, in which condition they will no longer be content with the food, clothing, medicines, sanitation, amusements or employments of barbarians. They will wear clothing, subsist upon food and live in a style of living and demand amusements suited to civilization; and we shall thereby create a demand for our surplus products, which will enable their producers to continue and increase their production at a profit. It will build up an ocean commerce and afford employment for shipbuilders, mariners, merchants, miners and men of all professions. It will give an impetus to our industries, such as has never been witnessed since the discovery of this continent. The construction of an inter-oceanic canal connecting the Caribbean sea with the Pacific ocean by the United States will quadruple the value of this commerce in a decade, and the efficiency of our navy at once.

   It is our duty and our destiny to free the natives, not only of the Antilles but of the Philippines, from the tyranny, rapacity, cruelty, bigotry, superstition, vice and ignorance engendered by Spanish misrule and sacerdotal bigotry, greed and corruption. Such is the work assigned to us, as a nation, by Providence, or by the conditions created by chance, or by design, under the guidance and control of some instrumentality not of our creation. We must meet and discharge these national duties without cowardice, indolence or greed. If we fail it will be an indication that our national decadence has begun. But we must not fail. The harvest is ready for the sickle of the husbandman, and munificent rewards await diligence and fidelity to duty and obedience to the mandate of destiny; while obloquy, indigence and dishonor will be the mead of recreancy; and history, like a recording angel with anxious solicitude, waits to record the result of our choice and the wisdom or folly of our conduct. The opportunity to acquire the Philippines, with all it implies and includes, will never be presented but once. "The mill will never grind with the water that has passed." In this emergency and dilemma, "He that dallies is a dastard, he that doubts is damned."

   IRVING H. PALMER, Cortland, Sept. 7, 1898.

  

BREVITIES.

   —A regular meeting of the "Y's" will be held at the W. C. T. U. rooms to-morrow at 7:30 P. M.

   —A trial and special term of the supreme court convenes at the courthouse next Monday, Justice Burr Mattice presiding.

   —The executive committee of the Independent Republican county committee held a meeting at the Cortland House to-day.

   —The heavy storm of Tuesday night blew over the smokestack at Hayes' chair factory, hence the works are shut down for a few days.

   —The store of T. S. Mourin in the Squires block is closed for a few days on account of the sickness and death of his youngest daughter, Alice Grace Mourin.

   —The dedication exercises of the new biological and dairy building connected with the New York experiment station at Geneva will occur on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Union Shoe & Clothing Co., Clothing and Shoes, page 7; Baker & Angell, Hygienic Shoes for Women, page 4; D. E. Shepard, See the Awakening To-night, page 8.

   —Regular conclave of Cortland commandery, No. 50, K. T., will be held this evening. The Red Cross degree will be conferred and business of importance will come up. No Sir Knight should fail to be present.

   —Alice Grace Mourin, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Mourin of Homer-ave., died yesterday of cholera infantum, aged 4 years and 5 months. Funeral services will be held at the house near Tisdale's Mills, Sunday at 2 P. M. and at St. Mary's church at 2:30 P. M.

   —Justice T. H. Dowd has rendered judgment in favor of the plaintiff in the case of Perry Outhoudt against Wm. S. Brown, tried Sept. 1. The action was brought for an alleged conversion of a quantity of wood. R. L. Davis for plaintiff. W. D. Tuttle for defendant.

   —The name, age and address of all children applying for entrance to the Normal kindergarten must be received at the office of the principal of the Normal school before Sept. 14. Many have already been handed in and as the number is limited the names will be drawn as before. The list of those drawn will be published before the opening of kindergarten on Sept. 19.