Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-14

had remained In Manffs, o. which Gen Otis
Justly observes that FOR barbarous intent
it IL unequaled In modern times" 1t d.
rects that at o'clock the night OF the 18th
or February the territorial militia shall
come together In the streets OF San Pedro,
armed with their bolos, with guns and am
munltion where convenient; that Filipino
families only shall be respected but that
all other individuals, of whatever race they
may be, shall be exterminated without any
compassion, after the determination OF the
army or occupation. copy OF this fell by
good fortune into the hands Of our officers
and they were able to take measures to con-
troll the rising. which was actually attempt
ed the night OF Feb %, a week later than
was originally contemplated.
Rebellion Must BE Put Down.
This was the unhappy condition of affairs
which confronted our commissioners on
their arrival I'm Manila. What they found
can best be set forth In their own words:
.DeDlorabe as war Is. the one which we
are now engaged was unavoidable by us.
We were attacked by bold, adventurous
and enthusiastic army. No alternative was
left to us except ignominious retreat. What
ever the future OF the philippines may be,
there Is no course open TO US now except
the prosecution OF the war until the insur-
gents are reduced to submission. The COM
mission Is of the opinion that there mas
been no time since the destruction Of the
Spanish squadron by Admiral Dewey when
II was possible to withdraw our forces from
the Islands, either with honor to ourselves
or with safety to the Inhabitants"
The course thus clearly Indicated has been
nnninchingly pursued. The rebellion must
be put down. Civil government cannot be
thoroughly established until order is re-
stored.
With devotion and gallantry worthy. Of
it's most brilliant history, the army, ably
| and loyalty assisted by the navy, has car
rled on this unwecome, but most righteous
campaign with richly deserved success. Al
though their operations have been some
what interrupted and checked by rainy
season OF unusual violence and duration,
they have gained ground steadily In every
torecsno to SPEEDY sne COMPLETION n ton of their task
The unfavorable circumstances connected
with an active campaign have not been per-
mitted to Interfere with the equally impor-
| tant work OF reconstruction.
American Rule in Sulu.
The authorities of the Sulu Islands have
accepted the succession of the United States
to the rights OF SPAIN and our nag noats
over that territory. The 10th Of August
1890, Brig Gen. j. G. Bates, U. ). Volun-
teers, negotiated an agreement with the
Sultan and his principal chiefs, which l
| ereignty of the United States over the whole
archipelago of Sulu and Its dependencies Is
declared and acknowledged. The United
/ States will give full protection to the Sultan
! In case any foreign nation should attempt 70
/ impose upon him. The United States Will
not sell any island OF the Sulu archipelago
! TO any foreign nation without the consent OF
| the Sultan. Any slave In the archipelago or
! Suu shall have the right to purchase free
made subject to confirmation by the Presi-
! dent and TO future notifications. This
/ agreement Is not TO he deemed In anyway
! to authorize or give the consent OF the Uni
/ ted States to the existence of slavery In the
| Sulu archipelago. | communicate these facts
TO the Congress for its information and ac-
4 ton.
! Everything indicates that with the speedy
suppressi' of the Tagalo rebellion life In
! the archipelago VIII soon resume Its ordin-
AIRY course under the protection OF our SOW
/ ereiguty, and the people of those favored
| islands will enjoy n prosperity and free
! dom which they have never before known.
Now Rests with Congress.
| The future government of the Philippines
! rests with the Congress Of the United States.
| 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 thvm at once TO an
archy and finally to barbarism. We 1ing
| them, golden apple 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 boodshed.
The suggestion has been made that we
could renounce our authority over the ISL
ands and. giving them independence. could
osition will not be found, am sure, worthy
OF your serious attention. Such an arrange
ment would involve at the outset cruel
breach of faith. 1t would place the peace
able and loyal majority, who ask nothing
better than to accept our authority, at the
mercy =. the minority OF armed insurgents.
of the insurgent leaders and give us no pow
er to control them. IL would charge us with
the task OF protecting them against each
other and defending them against any for
eign power with which they chose to quar-
rel. In short. It would take from the Con-
gress of the United States the power OF de-
clarlng war and vest that tremendous pre-
rogative In the Tagalan leader of the hour
III does not seem desirable that l should
recommend at this time specific and final
form or government for these Islands. When
peace shall be restored IL will he the duty of
Congress TO construct q plan of government
which shall establish and maintain freedom
and order and peace in the Philippines I'm
I'll Congress shall have made known the
formal expression of its WILL shall use the
authority vested In me by, the Constitution
and the statutes to uphold the sovereignty
of the United States in those distant islands
as In all other places where our flag right
fully floats.
Status of Hawaii.
Some embarrassment in administr ration
has occurred by reason OF the peculiar
status which the Hawaiian Islands at pres
ent occupy under the joint resolution OF an
nexation approved July T. 1898. While BY
that resolution the Republic OF Hawaii as
an independent nation was extinguished its
separate sovereignty destroyed. and its
property and possessions vested In the Unit
ed States, yet a complete establishment for
Its government under our system was not
effected The people of these Islands are
entitled to the benefits and privileges of our
Constitution Ii is manifesty important,
therefore. that an act shall be passed as
speedily as possible erecting these Islands
into a judicial district, providing for the
appointment Of judge and other proper
officers, and mthods of procedure In appel
late proceedings and that the government |
OF this newly acquired territory under the
federal Constitution shall be fully defined |
and provided for.
Alaska Needs Legislation.
A necessity for immediate legislative re- |
lief exists I'm the Territory OF Alaska. Sub
stantially the only law providing q civil /
government for this territory is the act OF |
sions and Is fitted only for the administra-
tion OF affairs In a country sparsely inhab- /
tied by civilized people. and unimportant |
trade and production, as was Alaska at the
time this act was passed. There Is practic-
ally no organized form of government and |
no reason why more complete form of L
territorial organization should not be pro-
vided.
Government of Porto Rico.
I recommend that legislation to the same
end be had with reference to the government
OF Porto Rico. The time is ripe for the L
adoption of a temporary form Of government
for this island. IL Is desirable that the gov
crnment of the island under the law OF bel
ligerent right now maintained through the
Executive Department should be superseded
by an administration entirely civil in Its ma
tlire. For present purposes ! recommend
that Congress pass a law for the organiza-
tion of temporary government, which shall |
provide for the appointment by the Presi-
dent, subject to confirmation by the Senate, |
of governor and such other officers as the
general administration Of the island may |
require. and that for legislative purposes on |
subjects OF local nature not partaking of |
u federal character legislative council, |
composed partly of Porto Ricans and partly |
of citizens OF the United States, shall be |