Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-12-14

The r,bellioa must DO put down. Civil
~guyernracnt ,annot be thoroughly estnb'
hshed until olier Is restored, With q de
yuiion and gallantry worthy Of its most
brilliant history, the army, ably and 10y
ally assisted by the navy, has carried on
this Havsulconie, but most righteous cam
ptign with richly deserved success. The
noble self sacrilce With which ~ sol
diors and sailors, whose terms OF service
had expired, refused to avail themselves
Of their right 70 return homo as long a.
psg szere needed at tho front, forms ons
Of the kfightest pages In our annals. Al
though their operations have been some
what interrupted and checked ky a rainy
season Of unusual violence and duration,
they have gained ground steadily In every
direction and now look forward confident
" 10 a speedy completion OF their task.
The unfavorable circumstances con-
nected with an active campaign have not
been allowed 20 interfere with the equally
important work Of reconstruction. / In.
vite your attention TO the report Of the
commissioners for the Interesting and en-
couraging details Of the work In the e..
t~ablishaacnt of peace and Inauguration Of
self governing municipalities in many
portions Of the archipelago. A notable
beginning has been made in the estnb-
lshment Of q government In the island OF
Negroes, which is deserving Of special con.
sideration. This was the first island to
accept American Sovereignty. Its people
unreseryedly proclaimed allegiance to the
United States and adopted q constitution
looking to a popular government. 1t was
impossible TO guarantee to the people Of
Negroes that the constitution so adopted
should be the ultimate form Of govern
ment. Such action under the treaty with
Spain and in accordance with our own
constitution and laws, I'M exclusively
within the jurisdiction Of congress.
Treaty with sultan of sulu.
The authorities of the SuIu islands have
accepted the succession Of the United
States 10 the right of Spain, and om; flag
floats over that territory. On the 10th Of
August, 1890, Brigadier General Bates
negotiated an agreement with the sultan
and his principal chiefs, which I transmit
herewith. By article I the sovereignty Of
the United States over the whole archi-
of Jolo and its dependencies Is de-
clared and acknowledged.
The United States flag Will be used in
the archipelago and its dependencies, on
land and sea. Piracy is to be suppressed
and the sultan agrees to cooperate heart
lily with the United States authorities to
that end, and to make every possible
effort to arrest and bring 10 justice per-
sons engaged in piracy. ALI trade in do
nestle products of the archipelago Of Jolo
when carried on with any part of the
islands and under the Ameri-
can islands, shall be free, unlimited and
undutiable. The United States will give
full protection to the sultan In case any
nation should attempt to impose
upon him. The United States will not
sell the island Of Jolo or any other island
Of the Jolo archipelago to any foreign ma
ton without the consent of the sultan.
Salaries for the sultan and his associates
In the administration OF the islands have
been agreed upon to the amount Of t7oo
monthly.
Article provides that any slave in tho
archipelago OF Jolo shall have the right 10
purchase freedom by paying TO the mas
tor the usual market value. This agree
by General Bates was made subject
10 confirmation by tho president and to
the future notifications by tho consent Of
the parties In interest. Ihave confirmed
said agreement, subject to the action OF
the congress, and with the reservation,
which / have directed shall DO communi-
to the sultan of Jolo, that this
agreement Is not to be deemed In any way
to authorize or give the consent Of the
United States to the existence Of slavery
In the Sulu archipelago. / communicate
these facts to the congress for sts informa-
ton and action. Everything indicates
that with tho speedy suppression Of the
rebellion life in the archipelago
viii soon resume It's ordinary course
under the protection Of u sovereignty
and the people Of those favored Is
lands will enjoy a prosperity and q free
dom which they have never before known. |
Already hundreds Of schools are open and
filed with children. Religious freedom
Is sacredly secured and enjoyed. The
courts are dispensing justice. Business
Is beginning to circulate in its accustomed
channels. Manila, whose inhabitants
were fleeing to the country a few months
ago, is now a p%opulous and thriving mart
Of commerce. The earnest and uuremit
endeavors Of the commission and the
and major general commanding
The department Of the Pacific to assure
the people Of the benefcent intentions Of
this government have had their legitimate
afect in convincing the great mass of
them that peace and safety and prosper
and stable government can only be q
loyal acceptance Of the authority of the
United States.
Future of the FKlpInos.
The future Of the Philippines rests with
the congress Of the United States. Few
graver responsibilities have ever been
sonflded to as. If we accept them in a
spirit worthy Of our race and our trndi-
lions, a great opportunity comas with
them. The islands lie under the shelter
IF u flag. They are ours BY title Of law
md equity. They cannot be abandoned.
II we desert them. we leave them at once
o anarchy and finally to barbarism. We
ling them, a golden apple Of discord, |
among tho rival powers, no one Of which
,ould permit another to seize them I'M
Questioned. Their rich plains and valleys
would be the scene Of endless strife and
1loodshed. The advent Of Dewey's feet
n Manila bay, instead Of being, a. we
nope, the dawn OF a new day Of freedom
md progress, will have been the begin
hing Of On era Of misery and violence
than any which has darkensd thoir
Unhappy past. Tho suggestion has boon
made that We could our author.
ty over the Islands, and, giving them In
could retain a professionals
,vsr them. This proposition viii not be
'ound. / am sure. worthy of wonx -s.~scua