Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-12-06


action of the congress, and with the res
ervation which l have directed shall be
communicated 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. l COM
municate these facts to the congress for
its information and action.
"Everything indicates that with the
speedy suppression of the Tagalo rebel
lion life in the archipelago will soon re-
sumo its ordinary course under the pro-
lection of our sovereignty, and the peo-
pie of those favored islands will enjoy
prosperity and Il freedom which they
have never before known. Already hum
dreds of schools are open and filled with
children. Religious freedom is sacredly
assured and enjoyed. The courts are dis
pensing justice. Business is beginning to
circulate in its accustomed channels. Ma
Mia, whose inhabitants were fleeing to
the country Il few months ago, is now
populous and thriving mart of commerce.
The earnest and unremitting endeavors
of the commission and the admiral and
major general commanding the depart
ment of the Pacific to assure the people Of
the beneticent intentions of this govern
ment have had their legitimate effect in
convincing the great mass of them that
peace and safety and prosperity and sta
BILE government can only be found in
LOYAL acceptance of the authority of the
United States.
A GRAVE RESPONSIBILITY.
"rhc future government of the Philip
hn osiInuf "rastS with
the congress of the United States. Few
gravcr responsibilities have ever been
contilcd to us. If we accept them in
spirit worthy of our race and our tradl-
tions, 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
abandoned. If we desert them, we leave
them at once to anarchy and finally to
harbarsm. We fling them, golden APP
pie of discord, among the rival powers.
no one of which could permit another to
seize them unquestioned. Their rich
plains and valleys would be the scene of
endless strife and bloodshed. The ad-
vent of Dewey's fleet in Manila bay, in
stead of being, as we hope, the dawn of
new day of freedom and progress, will
have been the beginning of an era of mis-
cry and violence worse than any which
has darkencd their unhappy past.
"Thc suggestion has been made that
we could renounce our authority over the
islands and, giving them independence,
could retain a protectorate over them.
This proposition will not be found, l am
sure. worthy of your serious attention.
Such an arrangement would involve at
the outset cruel breach of faith. 1t
would place the peaceable and loyal ma.
iority, who ask nothing better than to
accent our authority. at the mercy of the
majority of armed insurgents. 1t would
make us responsible for the acts of the
insurgent leaders and give us no power to
control them. 1t 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, it would take from
the congress of the United States the
power of declaring war and vest that ire
mendous prerogative in the Tagal leader
of the hour.
TIE DUTY OF CONGRESS.
at does not seem desirable that l
should recommend at this time a specific
and final form of government for these
islands. When peace shall be restored,
it will be the duty of congress to con-
struct plan of government which shall
establish and maintain freedom and or
der and peace in the Philippines. The
instruction is still existing, and when
it terminates further information will be
required as to the. actual condition of
Affairs before inauguratnE permanent
scheme IF civil government. The FIJI
report of the commission, now In prep
aration, will contain information and
suggestions which will be Of value to
congress and which | will transmit as
soon as it is completed. AS long as the
instruction continues the military arm
must necessarily be supreme. But there
is no reason why steps should not be
taken from time to time to inaugurate
governments essentially popular in their
form as fast as territory is held and CON
trolcd by our troops. 10 this END L
am considering the ACCESSIBILITY of the
return of the commission, or such of the
members thereof as can be secured, to
aid the existing authorities and facill-
tate this work throughout the islands.
| have believed that reconstruction
should not begin by the establishment
of one central civil government for all
the islands, with its seat at Manila, but
rather that the work should be commenc-
ed by building up from the bottom, hrst
establishing municipal governments and
then provisional governments, central
government at last to follow.
"J.nti congress shall have made known
the formal expression of its will ! shall
use the authority vested in me by the
and tha StDtutpS 70 uUnOlu
the sovereignty of the United States in
those distant islands as in all other
places where our flag rightfully floats.
shall put Mt the disposal of the army
and navy all the means which the lib
| eralitv of congress and the people have
| proyided to cause this unprovoked and
wastcful insurrection to cease. If any
| orders of mine were required to insure
the merciful conduct of military and
naval operations. they would not be lack
ing; but every step of the progress of our
troons has been marked by humanity
which has surprised even the misguided
insurgents. The truest kindness to them
will be swift and effective defeat of
their present leader. The hour of victory
will be the hour of clemency and recon
struction.
WORK OF RECONSTRUCTION.
"No effort will be spared to build u1
the waste places desolated by war ant
nv long years of misgovernment. we
shall not wait for the end of strife II
heoin the beneticent work. We shall con
tinue. as we have begun, to open th'
schools and the churches, to set TIT
courts in operation, to foster ndustr!
and trade and agriculture ana III ever
. l., a,r mower TO make these people