The Norfolk weekly news. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1888-1900, 1899-12-07

,aluc IN tnc formation OF rcprcsenta-
tive convention OF the people to draft .
constitution md establish general sys.
tenn Of independent government for the
island In the meantime and no long as
we exercise control over the island the
products OF Cuba should have market In
the United states on rs good terms and
with as favorable rates OF duty as are
given to the West India islands under
treaties OF reciprocity which shall be
made.
AZ to the Philippines
After reviewing the history OF the trou-
blc in the Philippines, the president says:
Tho rebellion must he put down. Civil
government cannot be thoroughly cstab-
lished until crdsr is restored. With u de-
votion and Ra'lantry worthy OF Its most
brilliant history, the army, ably and 10y
ally assisted by the navy, has carried on
this unwclcome, but most righteous cam
pnign with richly deserved success Tho
noble self fsacrincc with which our sol
dicrs and sailors, whose terms OF scr Ice
had expired, refused to avail themselves
OF their right to return home ms long rs
they were needed at tho front, forms ono
OF the brightest pages in our annals. AL
though their operations have been somo-
what interrupted and checked by n rainy
season Of unusual violence and duration,
they have gained ground steadily In every
direction and now look forward confident
ly to q speedy completion of their task.
Tho unfnvorable circumstances con
nected with an active campaign have not
been allowed to Interfere with the equally
important work Of reconstruction. 1 in
vito your attention to the report OF tho
commissioners for tho interesting and en-
cournging details OF the work In the es-
tablishmcnt of pence and Inauguration Of
self. governing municipalities In many
portions Of the archipelago. notable
beginning hds been made in tho estab-
lishment of government in tho island OF
Ncgros, which Is deserving OF special con-
sideration. This was tho first island to
accept American sovereignty. Its people
unrescrvedly proclaimed allegiance to tho
United States and adopted constitution
looking to popular government 1t was
impossible to guarantee to the people OF
Ncyros that the constitution SO adopted
should bo the ultimate form Of govern
ment. Such action under the treaty with
Spain and In accordance with our own
constitution and laws comes exclusively
within the jurisdiction Of congress.
Irenty Win sultan OF sulu.
The authorities Of tho Sulu islands have
accepted the succession OF the United
States to the right Of Spain, and our flag
floats over that territory. On the 10th Of
August 1899, Brigadier General Bates
negotiated an agreement with the sultan
and his principal chiefs, which transmit
herewith. BY article the sovereignty Of
the United States over the whole archi-
/
clared and acknowledged.
The United States flag will be used in
the archipelago and it's dependencies. on
land and sea. Piracy is to be suppressed
and the sultan agrees to cooperate heart
lily with tho United States authorities to
that end, and to make every possible
effort to arrest and bring to justice per-
sons engaged in piracy. All trade in do
nestle products of tho archipelago Of Jolo
when carried on with any part Of the
Philippine 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
foreign 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
tion without the consent of the sultan.
Salaries for the sultan and his associates
in the administration of the islands have
been agreed upon to tho amount of 500
monthly.
| Article X provides that any slave in the
archipelago of Jolo shall! have the right to
| purchase freedom by paving to the mas
ter the usual market value. The agree
ment by General Bates was made subject
| to confirmation by the president and to
| the future notifications by tho consent of
| the parties in interest. have confirmed
said agreement, subject to the action of
the congress, and with the reservation,
which have directed shall be communi-
| Gated 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 communicate
| these facts to the congress for its informa-
ton and action. Everything indicates
| that with the speedy suppression of the
| Tagalo rebellion life in the archipelago
will soon resume its ordinary course
under the protection Of our sovereignty
| and the people Of those favored Is
lands will enjoy prosperity and . free
dom which they have never before known.
| Already hundreds Of schools are open and
filled 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 few months
| ago, is now "a populous and thriving mart
of commerce. The earnest and unremit.
ting endeavors of the commission and the
admiral and major general commanding
the department of the Pacific to assure
the people of the beneficent intentions OF
this government have had their Legitimate
effect in convincing the great mass OF
them that peace and safety and prosper.
ity and stable government can only be a
loyal acceptance of the authority of the
| United States.
Future of the Filipinos.
The future of the Philippines rests with
the congress of the United States. Few
graver responsibilities have ever been
confided to us. II we accept them in q
spirit worthy of our race and our tradi
tions, a great opportunity comes with