Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-12-08


worthy Of its most brilliant history, the
army. ably and Loyalty assisted, by the
navy has carried on this nnWei come, put
served success. The noble self-sacrince
with which our soldiers and sailors whose
terms OF service had expired refused TO
avail themselves OF their right to return
home as long as they were needed al tne
front forms one of the brightest pages in
have been somewhat interrupted and
| checked uy rainy season OF uhusual ' 20,
| ground steadily in every direction, and
| now look forward confidently TO speedy
completion Of their task.
Work of Reconstruction.
The unfavorable circumstances connect
! a v''h ~ active camnaign have rot heen
| permitted to interfere with The equally it..
| portant work Of reconstriction. Again !
| invite your attention to the report or the
! commissioners for the interesting and en-
| cOura girg details OF the work already ac-
| complished in the establishment of peace
| and order and the Inauguration OF self
| governing municipal life in many portions
OF the archipelago. notable beginning
| has been made in the establishment or
| government i'm the island OF Negroes, which
! is eserVing of special consideration. rms
was the first island TO accept American
sovereignty Its people unreseryediy pro,
! claimed allegiance TO the United states ana
adopted constitution looking TO the eS-
tablishment Of popular governmen NIL nj. IL
| was impossible TO guarantee TO the people
of Negros that the constitution so adopted
| should be the ultimate form q SoN~..I-
| I. Il
with Spain, and IN accordance with our
! own constitution and laws, came eNclu-
sively within the jurisdiction OF 60
! The government actually set up by the
| inha bitants of Negros eventually proved
unsatisfactory to the natives themselves
A new system was put into force by order
partment, Of which the following are the
most important elements;
The Sulu Islands.
He refers to the government established
/ in the island of Neeros as successful, and
/ outlines us salient features. 81 lac s..41-
! group he gives the features OF the treaty
| entered into between this country and the
sultan, and Of that portion OF the treaty
Article Y. provides that any slave In the
archipelago OF Jolo shall have the right
to purchase recon ~ ,@ia To- ~ I''
ment by Gen. Bates made subject 70
confirmation by the president and 20 fu-
ture notifications by the consent OF the
partics In interest. ! have confirmed said
agreement. subject 20 the action 80 The
congress, and with the reservation, which
| have directed shall be communicated to
the sultan of Jolo that this agreement is
ar give the consent of the United States
to the existence OF slavery in the Sulu
archipelago. | communicate these facts
10 the congress for its information and
The United States flag will be used in
the archipelago and its dependencies. or
land and sea Piracy IL 20 he suppressed
and the sultan agrees TO cooperate heart
ny with the United States authorities to
that end and make every possible effort to
arrest and bring to justice all persons en-
gagged IL piracy All trade in domestic
products of the archipelago OF Jolo when
islands and under the American fag shall
be free, unl!m.ted and t uI,SSu;iab Bile ne
Eri'cd states viii give fuN protector 70
the sultan H. case any forei-n ton should
attempt 10 impose upon him The United
STATE ".', ECt 80 th1 l2a1a 81 JSt 70 OF y,
ion consent
the sultan Salaries for the sultan and his
associates in the ADMINISTRATION Of he is
lands have been agreed upon 70 the
amount OF s760 monthly.
Government of the Philippines.
The president points to the recent vic
tories over the insurgent forces as proof
! that the instruction In the Islands is about
over. and says of their future government:
, IRE future government Of the Philippines
5 rests with the congress or the United
states Few graVer responsibilities have
ever been contded to US. If we accept
them in d spirit worthy OF our race and our
traalt4ous, great opportunity comes with
them The islands lie under the shelter OF
our flag They are ours by every title OF
law and equity. They cannot be aban-
at once TO anarchy and finally 10 barbar-
: ism. We fling them a golden apple OF dis
cord, among the .Eai powers no Go one So OIL
c unauestioned. Their rich plains and val
leys would be the scene OF endless sLle
n Tho advent q Do--ov's feet In Manila
J bay, instead Of being, as we hope the dawn
OF a new day of freedom and progress, VIII
{ have been the beginning Of an era Of misery
b and violence worse than any which has
e darkened their unhappy past. The suSges-
, ton has been made that We Cou5o re-
= eur GO our authority over the lSlanus ana
giving them independence, could retain a
{ protectorate over them. This proposition
l w not he found. | am sure, worthy 81
= YOUR serious attention. such an arrange,
ment would involve at the outset a crue
s breach OF faith. 1t would place the peace
N nd m nothing
' tier than 10 accept our authority, at the
O mercy OF the minority Of armed insur-
T. gents 1t would make Us responsible fol
b the acts Of the insurgent leaders and give
us no power to controi then u W .Sar
against each other, and defending them
= any rrroion ucvcr with VII ol thcy
! chose TO quarrel IN short II would take
= from the congress Of the United states th'
, mendous prerogatve in the Tagalo leader
of the hour.
e Recommendations Not Needed Now.
G He does not deem recommendations fol
4 the philippines needed at the present time
hut will make them TO congress when peace
:, has been fully restored there. Until suet
: subject he announces that he will maintain
a the sovereignty of the United states in the
Islands and put at the dIsppsa Ni the army
e down the resurrection. or the efforts &c
: bulid up the waste places as iast as they
c shall come within our control he says:
e No effort will be spared to build up tn,
= waste places desolated by war and by Ions
o. wears of misgovernment We shall no
i wait for the end of strife TO begin TIL,
e bcneficent work We shall continue, q W,
c have begun, to open the schools and tht
h Churches to set the courts in operation
Il 10 foster industry and trade and agricu
ture and in every way in our power tC
make these people whom Providence ha:
l. brought within our jurisdiction feel tina
= II Is their liberty and not our power. thei
= welfare and not our GAIN we are seekinl
: to enhance. Our flag has never waved
= over any community but in blessing.
- believe the Filipinos will soon recognize
. the fact that II has not lost its gift OF bene
= diction in it's worldwide journey TO theil
. shores.
. The Hawaiian Islands.
d Regarding the Hawaiian islands he rec
Il ommends speedy legislation and the estab'
j. lishment of government under our sys
7, tenn. He recounts the possible difficutie:
Z that may be encountered, ard says:
e The people Of these islands are entitled
n 10 the benefits and privileges of our con
= stitution, hut IN the absence OF any act
: Of congress providing for federal courts IL
e the islands. and for a procedure by which
appeals, writs OF error, and other judicia
{ proceedings necessary for the enforcement
s OF civil rights may be prosecuted. they are
l. powerless TO secure their enforcement by
! the judgment of the courts of the United
{ States. II is manifestly important. there
I fore, that an act shall be passed as speedily