Arizona republican., 1899-11-08
ADELICATE PROBLEM
With Which fhe President Is
Now Confronted.
Regarding fhe Philip pineS-Ths
whole rfsifer 10 BIZ Determined
by CongreSS-The Prospects.

Washington, Nov. = The president
is confronted with very delicate prob
lem in writing to congress on the Phil
ippine question. The situation is such
as not to admit of his ignoring this sub
ject in his annual message to congress,
yet the work of establishing the au-
thority of this government over the
islands has not progressed far enough
to justify his making definite recon-
mendations as to the adoption of per-
manent form of government for them.
Unless very great progress is made in
the military operations during this
month, We cannot report a great ad-
vance beyond the condition existing
when congress adjourned. By reason
of the report Of the commission and of
the military authorities. much Informal
tion can, however, be supplied as to the
islands themselves, and the inhabitants
and there are liable to be develop
ments TO show the importance of our
retaining possession. In combating the
movement that viii be made TO compel
the reliquishment of authority to the
natives, it is thought that an afirma-
tive declaration CT action equivalent
to such a declaration of policy will
have to be made. Before any action is
taken on this proposition, however, the
position of the administration is likely
to be strengthened by developments n
another direction which will demon
strate the necessity of our having a
firm foothoId in the Philippines in or
der to maintain our prestige in the
orient
One embarrassment the president
viii probably have to contend with in
making recommendations to congress
grows out of the uncertainty of policy
at the time Of making the peace treaty
with Spain. The treaty left an open
link in the chain that binds the Phil
ippines to the United States. and ii viii
be necessary for this link to he welded
By congress. At the time Of making
the treaty it was not anticipated that
we would have any serious trouble with
the natives. and it was thought thai We
would have plenty OF time in which to
determine what course We should pur-
sue with respect to them. The adsa:n-
istration was reluctant to assume soy
ereignty over the islands and provision
for casting them off at will was nlede.
Sovereignty was left dangling in mi l.
air. Since then the exigenc:as OF the
case have compelled a course Of con-
Duct toward the islands Tased pon tle
assumption of sovereignty, bu: it is
doubtful whether that assumption can
b. sustained indefinitely without af-
firmative authority from congress.
During the recess Of congress 4 /: fog
the president to lee de what III Ist ne
done in the fulf!lment of his obligation
as chief executive to pres -rve the
tights Of the government. but the terms
IF the treaty MAJ be constru ID to &c
!leve him of this duty and the powers
attending it as soon as congress con-
venes. unless the authority is directly
con- erred.
The last paragraph in ar5i :'e n:ne Of
the treaty of peace in whic!. Spain re-
Iinquishes to this government her SOW
ere:gnty in the Philippines provides
flat the civil rights and political status
of the natives-which involves SOW
ercignty-shan be determined by con-
gress. Congress has not yet tax
en- any action on this ques-
ton, and the state department
has held that. because sovereignty over
the islands has not yet been accepted
by legislative act, the native Philip
ippines are not subjects or citizens of
the United States. The protection
claimed by them under the usage of in
ternational law and under a decision of
the supreme court has been denied
them on this ground in a specific case.
an Interpretation being thus officially
given to the clause of the treaty which
is said to hold sovereignty in suspense.
1t is inferred, therefore, that :he
president will in his first message 10
the Fifty-sixth congress recommend af-
firmative action confirmatory of our
sovereignty, regardless of what de-
termination may be reached by con-
gress later on as to the disposition to be
made of the islands.
SILVER FROM BOAT WRECK.