The Washington weekly post., 1899-12-12

on him. The United States will not sch
TIE island OF Jolo or any other .sland Of
| the JOio archipelago to any foreign nation
| without the consent Of the Sultan. Sala--
I les for the Sultan and hts associates in
! the administration OF the islands have
been agreed upon to the amount Of $50
monthly.
Article X provides that any slave in the
archipelago OF JolO shall have the right
| 90 purchase freedom by paying to the
master the usual market value The
agreement by Gen. Bates was made sub
ject TO confirmation By the President and
TO future notifications by the consent of
ehe parWs IN Interest ! have confirmed
sald agreement, subject to the action OF
congress. and with the reservation, which
| 1 nave directed shall be communicated 10
the sultan Of Jolo that this agreement is
not TO be deemed in any way 10 authorize
or give the consent OF the United States
10 the existence OF slavery in the suIu
archipelago. I communicate these facts
TO the Congress for It's information and
action.
everything Indicates that with the
speedy suppression of the Tagaio rebel
non NE In the archipelago will soon re-
sumo It's ordinary course under the pro-
tecuon OK our sovereignty. and the people
OF those favored islands will enjoy a
prosperity and freedom which they have
never before known Already hundreds
OF schools are open and filed with chit
aren. Religious freedom is sacredly as
sured and enjoyed. The courts are dis
pehsing Justice Business is beginning TO
circulate IN its accustomed channels. Ma
MIA whose Inhabitants were fleeing 10
the country a few months ago. il now a
popuious and thriving mart OF commerce
ne earnest and unremitting endeayeTs Of
,he commission and the Admiral and ma
Iot general commanding the Department
oi the racine TO assure the people of the
oeheHcent Intentions of this government
nave had their legitimate effect in con-
Vincing the great mass Of them that peace
ana safety and prosperity and stable gov
ernment can only be found in a loyal ac-
ceptance OF the authority of the United
States.
Future Of the Philippines.
ihe future government or the Philip
pines rest with the government If the
United States. Few graver responsibilities
nave SVer been cOnfided TO us IL We ac-
cept them In a spirit worthy of our race
ana our traditions, a great opportunity
comes with them. The islands lie under
tne shelteT OF our flag. They are ours by
every ute of law and equity. They can
not De abandoned If We desert them we
leaVe them at once TO anarchy and finally
10 Dd ,barism. We fling them, a golden ap-
piS oi oiscord, among the rival powers, no
one OF which could permit another 10 seize
them unquestioned. Their rich plains and
valleys would be the scene Of endless
suae and bIoodshed. The advent OF Dew
ey's feet in Manila Bay instead OF being
as we hope, the dawn of a new day of
freedom and progress, will have been
: lhe beginning of an era Of misery and y.o-
: renee worse than any which has dark
ehed tnelr unhappy past The suggestion
mas been made that We could renounce
our authority over the islands and, Civ
ing them independence could retain pro-
teetorate over them. This proposition will
not be found. ] am sure worthy of your
serious attention. Such an ARRANGEMENT
would involve at the outset a cruel breach
, OF faith. 1t would place the peaceable and
Royal majority, who ask nothing better
| than TO accept our authority, at the mercy
, | or the minority Of armed insurgents. 1t
would make US responsible for the acts of
the tnsurgent leaders and give us no
, power to control them. 1t would charge us
with the task of protecting 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 tre-
r mendous prerogative in the Tagal leader
{ OF the hour
IL does not seem desirable that I should
recommend at this tine a specific and
[ ! maj form of government for these ISL
q | andS. When peace shall be restored il
will be the duty of Congress TO construct
: a plan OF government which shall estab-
lish and maintain freedom and order and
e peace in the Philippines. The insurrec-
: tion is still existing, and when it termi-
mates further information will be required
Y as TO the actual condition of affairs be-
: fore inaugurating a permanent scheme OF
! civil government. The fuI. report of the
commission, now in preparation, will con-
q tain information and suggestions which
\ will be of value to Congress, and which i
| will transmit as soon as il is completed.
a | AS long as the insurrection continuts the
military arm must necessarily be su-
\ pTeme. But there is no reason why steps
, | should not be taken from time TO time to
: inaugurate governments essentially popu-
| lar in their form as fast as territory is
- held and controlled by our troops. To
: this END | am considering the advisability
of the return of the commission, or such
. Of the members thereof as can be secured.
: to aid the existing authorities and facili-
tate this work throughout the islands
have believed that reconstruction should
| not begin by the establishment of one
: central civil government for all the ISL
I ands. with its seat at Manila, but rather
that the work should be commenced by
building up from the bottom first estab-
md
= provincial governments, a central govern
= ment at last TO follow.
! Uphoidins Our Sovereignty.
n Until Congress shall have made known
n the formal expression of its will | shall
Z use the authority vested in me by the
. Constitution and the statutes to uphold
a the sovereignty of the United States In
: those distant islands in all other places
q where our flag rightfully floats. l shall
: put at the disposal of the army and navy
= all the means which the liberality of Con-
II gress and the people have provided 10
! cause this unprovOked and wasteful in
= surrection to cease If any orders of mine
were required to insure the merciful con-
. duct of military and naval operations,
: they would not be lacking; but every step
:, of the progress of our troops has been
: marked by humanity which has surpris-
= ed even the misguided insurgents. The
truest kindness of them viii be swift
y and effective defeat of their present lead
= er. The hour of victory will be the hour
( of clemency and reconstruction.
Y No effort will be spared to build up the
/ waste places desolated by war and by
e long years of msgovernment We shall
not wait for the end Of strife to begin the
e beneficent work We shall continue. as
e we have begun. to open the schools anC
VI the churches, TO set the courts in opera
ton. to foster industry and trade and
u agriculture. and In every way In our pow
ie er TO make these people whom Providence
'e has brought within our jurisdiction fee