The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-05

II Is not 10 De conceived OF LnaI any
American would have sanctioned the
surrender of Manila to the insurgents.
Our obligations to other nations and
to the friendly F'ilipfnos and to our
selves and our Tag demanded that
force should be met by force. What
ever the future of the Philippines may
be, there is no course open to US now
except the prosecution of the war un-
til the Insurgents are reduced to sub
mission The commission is of the
opinion that there has been no time
since the destruction of the Spanish
squadron by Admiral Dewey when II
was possible to withdraw our forces
from the islands. either with honor to
ourselves or with safety to the inhabi-
tants-"
MUST BE PUT DOWN.
The course thus clearly indicated has
been unflinchingly pursued. The rebel
lion must be put down. Civil govern
ment can not be thoroughly established
until order is restored. With a devO-
tion and gallantry worthy of its most
brilliant history, the army ably and
loyalty assisted by the navy, has car
ried on this unwelcOme. but most right
eous campaign, with richly deserved
success. The noble Self-Sacrifice with
which our soldiers and sailors whose
terms of service had expired, refused
to avail themselves of their right to re
turn home as long as they We're needed
at the front forms one of the brightest
pages in our annals. Although their
operations have been somewhat inter
of unusual violence and duration, they
have gained ground steadily in every
direction, and now look forward con-
fdently to a speedy completion of their
task.
The unfavorabIe circumstances connect
ed with an active campaign have not been
important work of reconstruction. Again
L invite your attention to the report of the
couraging details of the work already ac-
cOmplished in the esta blishment of peace
a i'm u Trrrrr rs ion If -a1F
governing municipal life in many portions
of the archipelago a notable beginning
has been made in the eSta blishment of a
government in the island of Negros which
is deserving Of special consideration This
soVeretgnty-. It's people unreservedly pro-
claimed allegiance TO the United States
1t was impossibIe to fitee to he
of government. such a question under
the treaty with Spain. and in accordance
with our own constitution and laws, came
exclusively under the jurisdiction of con-
by the inhabitants of NegrOs eventually
proved unsatisfactory to the natives them
by order of The major general commando
ing the department of which the follow
''7 GOVERNS1ENIFT2 lIF2i or r NEGRoss.7
IT was ordered that the government OF
military governor appointed by the Unit
ed States military. governor of the Phil
visory council elected by the people. The
military governor was authorized to ap-
agriculture. public instruction, an attOr-
ney general and an auditor.
The seat of government was fixed at
cises the supreme executive DoVTer Re is
to see that the laws are executed. ap-
pointed to offices, and fill all vacancies in
office not otherwise provided for. and NAV
with the approval of the military cover
from office The civil a-oVernoI' a 5I-iees
on a and
visory council He in general. performs
the duties which are performed by sec
retaries of state in our own $ stem of
The advisory council consists of eight
members elected by the people within ter
rlt9rlal limits, which are defined in the
order OF the commanding general.
me time and place of holding elections
Of the island of Negros- The qualifica-
ti9Rs q ,oft9 99t@r5 5,i1 are as as follows
the island of NegrOs.
(z)-Of the age of 21 years
13l-He snail be able to speak. read and
language, or he must own real property
4g6 ery Of ' tie oF TaR99y R3y Of Fspf9l $751; on real prop
Ole must have resided in the island
the district in which he offers to register ei
as a voter not less than three months inn
mediately preceding the time he offers
= Ole must register at a time fixed
by law before voting.
have paid all taxes due bV him to the
government, provided that no insane per
son shall be allowed to register or vote.
The military governor has the right
to veto all bills or resolutions adopted
by the advisory council and his veto
is final if not disapprOved by the mill
tary governor of the Philippines. The
advisory council discharges all the or
binary duties of legislature The
usual duties pertaining to said officers
are to be performed by the secretaries
OF the treasury, interior, agriculture.
public instruction, the attorney general
and the auditor.
The judicial power is vested in three
judges, who are to be appointed by the
military governor of the island. Infer
ior courts are to be established. Free
pubic schools are to be established
throughout the pOpulOus districts of the
islands in which the English language
shall be taught and this subject will
advisory council.
The burden Of government must be
distributed equally and equitably
among the people. The military au-
thorities will collect and receive the
customs revenue and will control postal
matters and Philippine interisland trade
and commerce.
The military governor. subject to the
approval of the military governor of
the Philippines, determines all questions
not specifically provided for and which
do not come under the jurisdiction of
the advisory council
SULU ISLANDS.
The authorities of the Sulu island
have accepted the succession of the
United states to the rights Of Spain
and our flag floats over that territory.
on the 10th of August, 1899, Brigadier
General j. G. Bates, u. S. VI, negotiated
an agreement with the sultan and his
principal chiefs. which I transmit here
with. BY article l, the sovereignty of
the United States over the whole archi-
pelagO of JolO and its dependencies is
declared and acknowledged.
The United States flag Will be used
in the archipelago and its dependencies
on land and sea. Piracy is to be sup
pressed and the sultan agrees to CO.
operate heartily with the United States
authorities to that end and to make
aL-ar-L rlossihIa affnrt To a1.rnst M him