Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, February 11, 1901.
FILIPINO PEACE TERMS.
Sixto Lopez to American Peace Society.
NO BENEVOLENT ASSIMILATION.
Liberty the Filipinos Must Have, But They Do Not Want It "Conferred" on Them—Denies the Existence of a Condition of Savagery.
BOSTON, Feb. 11.—Robert Treat Paine, president of the American Peace Society, has just received a letter from Senor Sixto Lopez which shows the attitude of the Filipinos on the question of bringing the war to a close. The letter follows:
Washington, D. C.
Robert Treat Paine, Esq., President of the American Peace Society, Boston.
Dear Mr. Paine: I have to thank you for your most interesting and sympathetic letter, which reached me via Chicago and Philadelphia, and I now hasten to reply.
I fear that you have misunderstood my statement of the terms upon which the Filipinos would be prepared to end this most deplorable war. The Filipinos will never accept American sovereignty in the sense in which that word is generally understood. Whether they would accept suzerainty would also depend upon the definition of the word and the powers which it implied. But let me now briefly state what I intended to convey to you on January 1.
The administration is demanding certain rights in the Philippines. These are, so far as I can discover:
1. The right and the means to fulfill certain (unspecified) obligations to other nations.
2. The right and the means to protect life and property—foreign and native.
3. A basis of trade and military operations for the far east.
4. Coaling stations.
5. The right, or the desire, to raise us by a process called "benevolent assimilation"—out of a condition of savagery which does not exist in our country.
In order to obtain these rights the administration demands that our people shall surrender unconditionally, and submit to American sovereignty.
The Filipinos, on the other hand, demand one "unalienable right," namely independence or the right to "institute'' a government "deriving its just powers from the consent," not of any foreign nation, but, "of the governed." It is only by the exercise of this right that the Filipinos will be able to secure equitable laws, ensure just administration, and prevent the exploitation of their country and its resources.
But while firm in this demand, the Filipinos are prepared to yield to the United States everything included or implied in the above list from 1 to 4 inclusive. In addition to this, they are prepared to repay, in whole or in part, the twenty millions of dollars paid to Spain, if the demand be made by the United States.
As to paragraph 5, the Filipinos do not want and will not accept anything in the form of benevolence or charity from any nation in the world. But if any American citizen or citizens desire to embark in missionary enterprise, and if they really think that there are those in the Philippines who need special enlightenment, they would be at liberty to spend their missionary zeal without let or hindrance. The Filipinos would only reserve the right to recommend that such missionary zeal be expended on Spain, or Turkey, or Russia, or the east end of London, or perhaps in some parts of America, where education and enlightenment are more urgently needed than in the Philippines.
It will therefore be seen that every demand that the administration is making, with the exception of that denied to George III, will be granted by the Filipinos.
Now, therefore, if the administration will say to the Filipinos: We will not deny you the one right which you claim and which we enjoy. We will grant you your independence, but we reserve the right to take such steps as are necessary to enable us to fulfill our obligations and conserve our rights—the Filipinos will lay down their arms at once.
If the acceptance of this offer entailed some definitely defined form of suzerainty, or if it necessitated joint action in foreign affairs, the retention of American troops, or the appointment of a customs commissioner, the Filipinos would raise no objection, provided that these conditions were not to be made perpetual. These and all such questions are matters of detail, and could be included in a treaty.
I do not think I could more clearly define the nature and degree of independence demanded by the Filipinos. As to whether this definition would mean "absolute independence" or "limited independence" is a mere matter of terminology. The Filipinos are interested in the fact, not in the name. Nevertheless since words are the symbols of things, there should be no shrinking from the fact that the Filipinos do demand independence as defined above. And there can be no hope of ending this war until that independence is granted to them. The Filipinos ardently desire peace, and they are prepared to sacrifice much in order to obtain it. But they will allow no man of nation, however powerful, to take from them their inalienable right. A powerful nation may take their life. But they hold that it is better to have death with honor than to bow the head at the expense of legitimate pride and self-respect. This determination and sentiment is shared by practically the whole population of the archipelago, with the partial exception of central Mindanao and the Sulus.
But let there be no misapprehension. It must not be thought that our desire and our plea for peace are due to any inability to carry on the war. Our forces are in a stronger position today than they ever were before. They are gaining in strength and in experience every day. The rigors of military rule and the new methods of deportation bind our people in the deathless determination never to submit to a nation which indulges in such practices. There will be no difficulty in imitating the American patriots of 1776, and in carrying on the war for eight or even eighteen years:
For men betrayed are mighty,
And great are the wrongfully dead.
We plead for peace, but the plea is in the interests of those who suffer and die by sword and starvation; not because of fear. We can fight long, even if we have to suffer much, for we are fighting for earth and home, and in a righteous cause. We are ready for peace; we hold out the olive branch. But on that branch is written, with the blood of brave men, the word Liberty. For that we are willing to suffer; for that we are prepared to die. But we will never submit to have liberty conferred upon us by the "charity" or "benevolence" of any man or nation; it is ours by right, not by bounty.
With many thanks for your kindly interest in our sorely stricken people, and with much respect,
Sincerely yours, SIXTO LOPEZ.
Ice Harvest is On.
NYACK, N. Y. Feb. 11.—The American Ice Co. has 1,000 men cutting 8 inch [ice]. The harvest is also at swing on the river. It is the best crop in many years. Tappin Zee Bay, which is three and one-half miles wide between Nyack and Tarrytown is frozen over for the first time in many years.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.
◘ The story that the thrifty Connecticut Yankees some years ago sold wooden nutmegs is open to doubt, though it is well known that Connecticut ingenuity and enterprise have been an important factor in industrial developments. The products of the genius and skill of the Nutmeg State have gone far and wide over our own country and to many distant lands. It is now about to ship a million and a half pounds of wire for use on electric railway lines in India. Little brass idols for Hindoo temple worship have been modeled in Birmingham for generations, but it is rather interesting to learn that New England has been called upon to supply trolley wires for the land of Vishnu and Siva.
◘ The United States senate by a vote of 38 to 19, exactly the necessary two-thirds, ratified the treaty by which we are to take the islands of Sibutu and Cagayan from Spain, paying her $100,000 for them. These are two islands of the Sulu group and were not included in the specifications of the Paris treaty, under which we took over the Philippine archipelago. Altogether Spain seems to have done fairly well in unloading islands.
 |
| Henry Albert Dickinson. |
CHARTER MENDING.
ASSEMBLYMAN DICKINSON AND THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS CONFER.
Changes In Number Constituting a Quorum, Rules, Paving, Sidewalk Rebates and Cleaning—School Moneys—All Satisfactorily Made.
Assemblyman H. A. Dickinson met with the board of public works last Saturday night, at which time the provisions of the charter that refer particularly to public works were discussed at length and the changes that the board desired were noted and will be engrafted in the amendments to the charter that are now before the legislature.
City Engineer H. C. Allen was present and stated that the best way he knew of to provide for the laying of water and gas mains before paying was contained in the White charter for cities of the second class. He did not state what this provision was.
The matter of three members of the board of public works constituting a quorum was taken up. The provision of the city charter in this respect, as it now stands, is such that four of the five members must be present at a meeting in order to do business. This has very seriously hindered the board in the past year, and in one instance the auditing of bills had to go over two months on account of the lack of a quorum. Three members, the amendment will read, must concur before any measure can be passed by the board. This is made necessary under the new provision in order that no bill may be passed upon by a minority of the members of the board.
Another change gives the board the right to make its own rules, not inconsistent with the charter. This is for the purpose of giving the board a chance to call special meetings, a provision not provided for in the charter.
In regard to the paving, Mr. Dickinson said there had been only a few radical changes, but that in drafting this amendment he had endeavored to arrange the matter in the natural order. The amendment will leave out all ideas of assessing for paving according to the street frontage, and base the equalization upon the benefits conferred by the paving.
The rebate of 3 cents per square foot for laying cement walks was discussed and will become a part of the charter. The wording of this amendment gives the board of public works the power at any time to give this rebate where plans and specifications conform to plans laid out by this board. These walks will be inspected by the commissioner of public works and must meet with his approval.
In regard to the amount of money to be raised for school purposes, Mr. Dickinson said the amendment would limit the amount to one-third of the whole city budget, but this amount can be greater if the common council sees fit to make it so.
In regard to the report that the amendments were being put through without a hearing upon them, Mr. Dickinson stated that before they became a part of the charter the common council must pass upon them and a public hearing be given.
In regard to sidewalk cleaning, Mr. Dickinson said that he would be willing to have the time changed for this work from noon. Some of the members proposed that it be changed to 9 o'clock, but it was finally changed to 8 o'clock, in order that the walks might be cleaned before the school children started for school.
In regard to sewer extensions, Mr. Dickinson thought that the board had a right to make these, but would work this part of the charter so that there would be no mistake in this matter.
Mr. Dickinson at the close of the meeting, which adjourned at just 12 o'clock after a busy and satisfactory conference, thanked the board for the suggestions given and received an expression of gratitude from the members for the considerations shown them.
 |
| William H. Clark, senior editor and proprietor of The Cortland Standard. |
CORTLAND SCIENCE CLUB
Spends an Evening in Study of Phonograph and Graphophone.
The Cortland Science club met at the Hatch library on Saturday evening. Reviews were first presented by Dr. F. W. Higgins and Prof. W. L. Booth of the papers previously given by Rev. U. S. Milburn and Dr. H. C. Hendrick, respectively.
The paper of the evening was upon "The Graphophone; Its Present Development, and its Future," by Mr. Wm. H. Clark. Mr. Clark discussed the machine both as affording amusement and as to its rapidly increasing use in the commercial world for taking dictation of letters. Inasmuch as this machine has been so wonderfully improved and has been so materially changed within recent years many of our readers doubtless have not kept up with its development and do not realize its capabilities and the future that is surely before it, thinking of it rather as a plaything or a means of whiling away an idle hour as an entertainer, rather than as a labor saving and time saving device. For the benefit of such, we shall publish Mr. Clark's paper in full in a day or two.
Mr. Clark had with him one of the three Columbia graphophones in use in The STANDARD office and Mr. Fred I. Graham very kindly came before the club bringing with him one of his Edison phonographs and some experiments were tried with the two machines. It was explained that the Edison people have practically given up the manufacture of their machines for commercial uses, leaving that field to the Columbia Graphophone Co., and have devoted their energies wholly toward perfecting the phonograph for entertainment purposes. Members of the club talked into both machines and the records were taken and reproduced. Mr. Graham also had a number of records containing vocal and instrumental music and speeches and stories, which afforded considerable amusement to all.
YOUMANS-CLARK.
Stood in the Place of Parents Twenty-one Years Before.
A pretty home wedding took place at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Clark, Groton City, N. Y., Wednesday, Feb. 6, 1901, when their oldest daughter Alta M. was united in marriage to Mr. Frank A. Youmans of Groton City. At high noon the bridal party entered the parlor, to the strains of the Mendelssohn Wedding March played by Miss Camilla Jennison, and took their places where the bride's parents stood twenty-one years before for their nuptials. The ceremony was performed by Rev. L. Jennison of Lockwood, N. Y., uncle of the bride, in the presence of immediate relatives and friends. The bride was attired in cream colored mohair trimmed with all over lace and ribbon and carried a bouquet of white carnations. The bridegroom in conventional black made a fine appearance. The room and table decorations were green and white, the flowers being sent by florists Miller and Clark, Jamesville, N. Y.
After congratulations a sumptuous dinner was served and at 4 P. M. the bridal pair left for New York City and Albany amid a shower of rice and good wishes.
Mr. and Mrs. Youmans were the recipients of many useful gifts and their many friends join in wishes for a happy and prosperous life.
Among the out of town guests were Miss A. Casar, Dryden; Miss Nellie Sheldon, Etna; Rev. and Mrs. L. Jennison and daughter of Lockwood, N. Y.
Buck-Weeks.
A very quiet wedding occurred at 7:30 Thursday evening at the home of the bride in Locke, N. Y., when Marvin W. Buck of East Lansing, N. Y,, and Mrs. Lettie Weeks of Locke, N, Y., were united in marriage by the Rev. H. C. Leach, pastor of the Baptist church. The bride wore a traveling suit of mole colored Venetian cloth while the groom wore the conventional black. After congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Buck left at 8:30 for an extended wedding trip to Michigan and Cooperstown, N. D., where the groom has for a number of years had charge of the Cooperstown bank. Upon their return Mr. and Mrs. Buck will be at home to their friends after May 1 at East Lansing, N. Y.
Funeral of Miss Sarah H. Hare.
The funeral of Miss Sarah H. Hare was held from her late residence, 10 Reynolds-ave., to-day at 11 o'clock A. M. and was largely attended. The members of the W. C. T. U., of the Church Protective union and of Miss Hare's Sunday-school class each attended in a body. Dr. O. A. Houghton conducted the services and made fitting remarks upon the life of Miss Hare. Mr. Geo. Oscar Bowen led the congregation in singing two of the favorite hymns of the deceased. The floral designs were very beautiful. The body was taken to Dryden for burial.
BREVITIES.
—Lincoln Lodge Dramatic club will meet to-night at 7:30 o'clock,
—To-morrow is Lincoln's birthday and a legal holiday. The banks will all be closed.
—Cortlandville lodge, No. 470, F. & A. M., will confer the third degree at a special communication Tuesday evening.
—A regular meeting of the Royal Arcanum council will be held at G. A. R. hall Tuesday evening, Feb. 12, at 7:30 o'clock.
—The Orris Hose company will soon appear in new blue, double breasted, sack coat suits furnished by Bingham & Miller.
—The Cortland & Homer Electric Co. is to-day wiring the [fire] engine house, preparatory to placing thirty-two incandescent lights in the building.
—New display advertisements to-day are—C. F. Brown, Spices, page 8; Bingham & Miller, Clothing, page 2; Palmer & Co., Paper patterns, page 4; C. F. Thompson, Groceries, page 5; Hudson Crockery Co., Crockery, page 5.
—The crossing of a live wire with a wire of the fire alarm system caused the alarm bell to ring once this afternoon at 2:20 o'clock. The fire team went out on a practice run this afternoon, but that had nothing to do with the incidental striking of the bell.
—There was a big crowd at the Y. M. C. A. rooms Saturday night on the occasion of Pop, No. 1. There was music and games and all enjoyed a fine time. The evening closed up in a basket ball game between the Y. M. C. A. first team and the Normals in which the former won to the tune of 17 to 10.
—The property loss of the students of the Fredonia Normal school through the recent burning of the building amounts to $3,700. The citizens of Fredonia will make the loss good to them. The insurance companies will pay in full the loss on the building of $81,000 and also $1,200 damages on the gymnasium.
No comments:
Post a Comment