The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-06

them we leave them at once to anarchy
and. finally, to barbarism. We fling them,
q golden apple OF discord, among the
rival powers, no one OF which could per
nit another to seize them unquestioned.
Their rich plains and valleys would be
the scene of endless strife and blodshed
The advent of DeweyS fleet in Manila
bay instead of being ,as we hoped, the
dawn OF a new day Of freedom and prog
ress, will have been the beginning of an
era of misery and violence worse than
any which has darkened their unhappy
past.
The suggestion has been made that we
could renounce our authority over the
islapds and, giving them independence.
could retain a proteCtorate over them.
This propositions will not be found, 1 am
sure. worthy of YOUR serious attention.
Such an arrangement would involve at
the outset cruel breach Of faith. 1t
would place thea peaceabIe and loyal ma
Jority, who ask nothing better than to
accept our authority, at the mercy of the
minority of armed insurgents. 1t would
make us responsible for the acts of the
1nsurgent leaders, and give US no power
to control. them,d It would charge us with
the task of protecting them against each
other, and defending them against any
foreign power with which they chose to
quarrel. In short, itswould take from the
congress of the~United States the power
of declaring war and vest that tremen-
ddous, prerogative In the Tagal leader Of
the hour. ar. Sri
1t does not seem. desirable that should
final form of gov
Congress Must sernment which shall
Provide i9-rs establish and main
9tatn freedom and
Government. order and peace in
..., - the Philippines The
insurrection IS still existing, and when it
terminates further information will he
required as to the actual condition Of r.
tairs before lnaugurating permanent
Seneme OF civil government. The full re-
port OF the commission now in nrena re- .
contain
gest1ons which will be of value to CON
gress, and which l will transmit as soon
as ~ IS completed. AS long as the In
surreetion continues the military arm
must necessarily be supreme But there
IS no reason why steps should not be
Iahen, from time to time to Inaugural e
form as last as they are held or controII
ea by our troops. To this end / am con
SSttueTlng the adyisability of the return of
tne commission or such of the members
thefeof as. can. be secured, to aid tha exfst1
ing authorities and facilitate this work
throughout the islands. l have beIieJad
Ina tLiat reconstruction should not begin by
the establishment of one central civil gov
eminent for the island, with it's seat at
iiaanlla, but rather that the work should
De commenced by building from the bot
then provincial governments. a central
government to last follow. Until cong, ess
saaIl nave known the formal expression
=, ~ Vii l snall use the authority vested
utes to uphold the sovereignty, of the
United States in those distant islands
as IN al other places where our flag right
tully floats. shall put at the DISPOSAL Of
tne army and navy all the means which
the nperal1ty OF congress and the people
nave provided, to cause this unprovoked
ana WastefuT insurrection to cease. If
any orders of mine were required to in
sure the merciful conduct of military and
naval operations, they should not be lack
ing; put every step of the progress of
the troops has been marked by a human
lly winch has surprised even the misguid-
ed insurgents. The truest kindness 10
theIn viii be g. swift and effective defeat
OF the1r present leader The hour of vic
tory VIII be the hour Of clemency and
reconstruction.
No effort viii be spared to build IN tha
waste places desofated by war and by
long years of nfsgovernment We shall
not wait for the end Of strife to begin the
benefieent work. We shall continra asi
we have begun, to open the schools, and
the churches, to set the courts in opera
ton, to foster Industry and trade and
agriculture, and In every way In our pow
er to make these people, whom Proyi
0ence mas brought within our Jurisdiction.
Ieei that 1t Is their liberty and not our
power, their welfare and not our gain.
we are seeking to enhance Our flag has
never waved over any community but in
blessing. believe the F,ilipinos will so5n
recognize the fact that it has, not lost
It's gift of benediction In its worldwide
Journey to their shores. ,.,.s...l..4 :s-G