The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1899-12-13


firmed said agreement. subject to the ac-
,tlon of the congress. and with the reser-
vation. which / have directed shall be
communicated to tho 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. Il communicate
these facts to the congress for its informA-
tlon and action.
OPPOSES T. PRoTEcToRATE
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
islands VIII enjoy a prosperity and a free
dom which they have never before known.
Already hundreds of schools are open and
filled with children. Religious freedom is
sacredly assured and enjoyed. The courts
are dispensing Justice. Business iS begin
ming to circulate In it's accustomed chan
nels. Manila. whose inhabitants were Nee
ing to the country few months ago. Is now
a populous and thriving mart of COM
merce. Tho earnest and unremltting en-
deRvors of the commission and the admiral
and major general commanding the depart
ment of the Pacific to assure the people OF
the beneficent Intentions of this govern
ment have had their legitimate efTect in
convincing the great mass of them that
peace and safety and prosperity and stable
government can only be found In a loyal
States.
The future government 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 a spirit worthy of our race ana our
traditions, n great opportunity comes with
them. The Islands lie under the shelter
of our flag. They are ours by every tue
of law and equity. They can not be aban-
doned. II We desert them we leave them
at once to anarchy and finally to barba-
rsm. We fling them golden apple of dis
cord, among the rival powers. no one o:
which could permit another to seize them
unQuestloned. 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 hope,
the dawn OF new day of freedom and pro-
gross. will have been the beginning of an
era OF misery and violence worse than any
which has darkened their u11nppy past.
The suggestion has been ma lie that we
could renounce our authority over the Is
lands and. riYlng them independence. could
retain a protectorate over them. This prop
osition Will not be found. l am sure. wor-
thy OF your serious attention. Such an
arrangement would Involve at the outset
a cruel breach OF faith. II would place the
peaceable and loyal majority. who ask
nothing better than to accept our authority,
at the mercy of the minority of armed in
surgents. 1t would make us responsible
for the acts of the insurgent leaders and
would charge us with the task of protecting
them against each other and defending
them against any foreign power with
which they chose to quarrel. In short II
would take from the congress of the Uni
ted States the power of declaring war and
vest that tremendous prcrogatiVe in tho
Tagal leader of the hour.
FUTURE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT.
1t does not seem desirable that I should
recommend Mt this time specific and final
form of government for these islands.
When peace shall be restored IL will be the
duty OF congress TO construct plan OF
government which shall establish and
maintain freedom and order and peace In
the Philippines. The insurrection is still
existing and whom IL terminates further In
formation Will be required as to the actual
condition of affairs before Inaugurating n
permanent scheme of civil government.
The full report of the commission. now in
preparation. Will contain information and
suggestions which will be of value to con-
Eress, and which I will transmit as soon |
as II Is completed. AS long as the in
Surrection continues the military arm
must necessarily be supreme. But there Is
no reason why steps should not be taken
from time to time to lnaugurate govern
ments essentially popular in their form as
fast as territory is held and controlled by |
our troops. To this end / am considering |
the RdVlsAbuity of the return of the csm- |
mission, of such of the members thereof as
lies and facilitate this work throughout the |
have believed that reconstruction |
should not begin by the establishment OF |
one central civil government for all the
islands, with its seat in Manila, but rather
that the work should be commenced by |
up from the bottom. hrst estab-
fishing municipal governments and then
provincial governments. and central gov
ernment at last to follow.
Until congress shall have made known
the formal expression of its will shall
use the authority vested in me by tho
and the statutes to uphold the
sovereignty of the United States in those
distant Islands as in all other places where
our flag rightfully floats. shall put at
the disposal of the army and navy all the
means which the llberallty OF congress and
the people have provided to cause this un-
and wasteful insurFection to
cease. II any orders OF mine were re-
Quired to insure the merc!ful conduct OF
and naval operations. they would
not be lacking; but every step of the pro-
gress of our troops has been marked by
which has surprised even
tho misguided insurgents. The
truest Kindness to them Will be swift and
effective defeat of their present leader.
The hour of victory will be the hour of
and reconstruction.
No effort Will be spared to build UP the
waste places desolated by war and by long
years of misgovernment. We shall not
wait for the end of strife to begin the
benefcent work We shall continue, as
we have begun, to open the schools and
The churches.to set the courts in operation,
10 foster industry and trade and agricul-
ture, and in every way in our power to
make these people whom Providence has
brought within our Jurisdiction feel that
Il is their liberty and not our power, their
welfare aud not our gain. we are seeking
10 enhance. Our flag has never waved
over any community but in blessing. be-
leYe the Filipinos VIII soon recognize the
fact that It has not lost its gift OF bene-
iictIon In its worldwide Journey to their
shores.
PROBLEMS IN HAWAII.
Some embarrassment in administration
has occurred by reason of the peculiar
status which the Hawaiian Islands at
present occupy under the Joint resolution
II annexation approved July q, 1898. While
BY that resolution the republic OF Hawaii
IS an Independent nation was extinguish-
ID, it's separate sovereignty destroyed. and
Is property and possessions vested in the