The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-12-15

facilitate the most humane and effective
extension OF authority Throughout the ISL
ands and to secure with. the least possible
delay the benefits of a wise and generous:
protection OF life and property to the In
habitants."
While the treaty of peace was. under
consideration in the senate these commits
sioners set out on their mission Of good
will and liberation. Their character was
sufficient guaranty Of the beneficcnt pur-
pose OF which they went. even II they had
not borne the positive Instructions of
this government which made their errand
pre-eminently one Of peace and friend
ship
But before their arrival at Manila the
sinister ambition of few leaders Of the
Philippines had created a situation full Of
embarrassments for us and most grievous
In its consequences to themselves. The
clear and impartial preliminary report OF
the commissioners, which ] transmit
herewith, gives so lucid and comprehen-
sive history Of the present insurrection-
airy movement that the story need not be
here repeated.
1t Is enough to say that the claim Of
the rebel leader that he was promised
independence by any officer Of the United
States in relation for his assistance has
no foundation in fact and is categorically
denied by the very witnesses who were
called to prove it.
for when he came back to Manila was
the liberation of the islands from the
Spanish control, which they had been
laboriEg for years without success to
throw of. The prompt accomplishment
of this work by the American army and
navy gave him other ideas, and ambitions
and insidious suggestions from various
quarters perverted the purposes and In
tentions with which he had taken up
arms.
The rebellion must be put down, civil
government cannot be Thoroughly estab-
ished until order is restored.
With devotion and gallantry worthy
| OF its most brilliant history. the army.
ably and loyalty assisted by the navy.
has carried on this unwelcome but most
righteous campaign. which richly de-
served success. The noble self-sacrific
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 at the
front forms one of the brightest pages in
our annals. Although their operations
have been somewhat interrupted and
checked by rainy season of unusual
violence and duration, they have gained
now look forward confidently to speedy
completion of their task.
The unfavorable circumstances con.
nected with an active campaign have not
been permitted to interfere with theeauai-
ly important work of reconstruction.
Again I invite your attention of the re-
port Of the commissioners, giving interest
ing and encouraging details of the work
already accomplished in the establishment
of peace and order and the Inauguration
of self-governing municipal life in many
portions of the archipelago. A notable
| beginning has been made in the establish
ment of government in the island o.
yvh iS Of al
sideration. This was the first island to
accept American sovereignty. Its people
unreservedly proclaimed allegiance to the
United States and adopted a constitution
looking to the establishment of a popular
government.
accepted the succession of the UnS>d
States to the rights of Spain, and our flag
floats over that territory.
Concerning the future government of
the archipelago the president says:
The future government of the Philip
pines rests with the congress of the
United States. Few graver responsible
ties have ever been confided to us. If
we accept then in n spirit worthy of
our race and our traditions, a great OPP
portunity comes with them.
The islands lie under the shelter Of
our flag They are ours by every title
ot law and equity. They cannot be
abandoned. If We desert them we leave
them at once to anarchy and finally TO
barbarism. We fling them, golden apple
of discord. among the rial 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 advent of Dewey's fleet IN Manila
bay. instead of being, as we hoped, the
down of a new Gay of freedom and pro-
gross. 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 C. uld renounce our authority over the
island.
This proposition will not be found,
am sure. worthy of your serious atten-
ton. Such an ARA 7gement would involve
at the ouset cruel breach of faith.
1t would take the peacable and loyal
majority who ask nothing letter than to
accept our authority at the mercy. of the
minority of armed insurgents. 1t would
make us responsible for TIE acts of the
insurgent leaders, and give us NJ power
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 legal leader
Of the hour.
1t does not seem ,les:rob BILE that should
recommend at this time specific and
final form of government for these is
ands. When peace shall he restored it
will he the duty of congr :ss TO instruct
plan of government which shall estab-
fish and maintain freedom and order and
peace in the Philippines.
Until congress shall make known the
formal expression of it's will, 1 shall use
the authority vested in me by the con-
stitution and the statutes to uphold the
sovereignty of the United States in those
| distant islands as in al '.ther PAGES
where our flag rightfully floats
l shall put at the disposal of the army
and navy all the means which the liber.
ality of congress ard the people have
provided to cause this unprovoked and
wasteful instruction to cease. If any or
ders of mine were required to insure the
mercifu: conduct of military and naval
operations they would not be lacking; but
every step of the progress Of the troops
has been marked by humanity which
has surprised even the misguided insur-
gents The truest kindness to them will
be a swift and effective defeat of their
present leader.
The hour of victory will be the hour of
clemency and reconstruction
No effort will be spared to build I'D the
waste places desolated by war and by
long years of misgovernment We shall
l rH<k witt f~ H.