Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-12-08

is Of the opinion that there has been no
time since the destruction of the Spanish
squadron by Admiral Dewey when it was
possible 70 withdraw our forces from the
islands either with honor to ourselves or
with safety to the inhabitants"
Rebellion Must lie Tut Down.
The course thus clearly indicated has
been unflinchingly pursued The rebellion
must be put down. Civil government
cannot be thoroughly established until
order is restored. With Il devotion and
gallantry worthy of its most brilliant his
tory the army, ably and loyalty assisted
by the navy, has carried ON this unwel-
come but most righteous campaign which
richly deserve success The noble self
sacrifice with which our soldiers and
sailors whose term of service had expired
refused to avail themselves of their right
to return home 80 long as they were
needed at the front, forms one of the
brightest pages in our annals. Although
their operations have been somewhat in
terrupted and checked byn rainy season
of unusual violence and duration, they
have gained ground steadily in every
direction and now look forward conf
IDENTIFY to q speedy completion Of their
| tASk.
"oS0EA"O"t AoE ENokFons
| The unfavorable circumstances con-
nected with an active campaign have not
been permitted to interfere with the
equally important work Of construction.
Again invite your attention of the report
of tho commissioners, interesting and en-
couraginy details of the work already uc-
complishcd in the establishment of peace
and order and the inauguration of self
governing municipal life in many por-
tions of tho archipelago A notable be-
ginning has been made in tho establish
ment of IL government in the island Of
Negros, which is deserving Of special con-
| sideration. This was the first island
to accept American sovereignty.
Its people unreservedly proclaimed alle-
giancc to tho United States and adopted a
constitution looking to the establishment
of q popular government. 1t was impossi-
bic to guarantee to the people of Negros
that the constitution so adopted should
be the ultimate form of government
Such u question under the treaty with
Spain and in accordance with our own
constitution and laws came exclusively
within the jurisdiction of congress. The
government actually set up by the inhab
itants of Negros eventually proved un
satisfactory to the natives themselves. A
new system was put into force by order
of the major general commanding tho
department., which is partly military and
partly civil.
Executive Officer the Military Governor.
The civil governor advises tho military
governor ON all public civil questions and
presides over the advisory council. He,
In general, performs the duties which are
performed by secretaries of state in our
own system of government
The advisory council consists of eight
members elected by the people within tho
territorial limits which are defined in the
order of the commanding general.
The authorities OF the Sulu islands
have accepted the succession OF the United
States to the rights of Spain and our flag
floats over that territory. On tho 10th of
August, 1899, Brigader General j. G.
Bates, U. S. n, negotiated an agreement
with the Sulu chief and with his chiefs,
which transmit herewith But by the
article A the sovereignty of the United
States over the whole archipelago of Jolo
and it's dependencies is declared and &C.
knowledged
| Tasal Rebellion Noar an End.
Everything indicates that with the
speedy suppression of the Tayalo rebellion
the archipelago will soon resume it's Or
dinary course under the protection of our
sovereignty, and the people of those ia
vored islands will enjoy prosperity and
q freedom which they have never known
before.
The future government of the Philip
pines rests with the congress of the United
States. Few graver responsibilities have
ever been confided to us. If we accept
them in spirit worthy Of our race and
our traditions, Il great opportunity comes
with them. The islands lie under the
shelter of our flag. They are ours by
every title Of law and equity. They can
not be abandoned. If we desert them we
leave them at once to anarchy and finally
to barbarism. We fling them, a golden
apple of discord, among the rival powers,
no ono of which could permit another to
seize thon unquestioncd Their rich plains
and valleys would be the scene of endless
strife and bloodshed. The advent IF
Dewey's fleet in Manila bay, instead Of
being, us hoped, the dawn of u new day Of
freedom and progress will have been to
begin an era of misery and violence worse
than any which has darkened their un-
happy past. The suggestion has been
made that we could renounce our author
ity over the islands and giving them in
dependence could retain u protectorate
over them. This proposition will not be
found, am sure, worthy of your serious
attention. Such an arran cement would
involve ut the outset
Cruel Brench of Faith
1t would place tho .pcaceable and loyal
majority, who ask nothing better than
to accept our authority, at the mercy of
the minority of armed insurgents 1t
would make us responsible for the acts of
the insurgent leaders. and give Us no
power to control them. 1t would CHARGE
us with the task of protecting them
against each other and defending ',,enl
against any foreign power with w.i,h
they chose to quarrel. In shGrr, it would
take from the congress Of the Uni,tl
States the power of declaring war, ;:ad
vest that tremendous prcrogative in the
Tagal leader of the hour.
1t does not seem desirable that should
recommend at this time Il specific and
final form of government for these islands.
When peace shall be restored it will be the
duty of congress to construct plan o.
| government which shall establish and
|