Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-12-14

wL~ HS acquainted With the Orient.
who' III association with Admiral Dewey
and Ma. Gen. Otis, were lnstructed -
Iacihtate the most humane ani effective
extension OF authority Throughout the ISL
aHas and 70 secure with the least possible
oeIay the benefits OF a wise and generous
pI3Isction OF life and property 10 the in
Nfnie the treaty OF peace was -,naer
CONSIDERATION m the senate these eornufs
asrm 1ner set out on their mission Of good
VIII ana liberation. Their character was
SUFFICIENT guaranty OF the henedncnt nuv-
pose OF which they went, even IL they had
~ ooFne the positive instructions OF
this government which made their errand
ship.
But before their arrival at Manila the
S.nSIsr ambition Of a few leaders OF the
Fllppinos had created a situation full OF
smDarrassments for Us and most g~rievous
IN us consequences to themselves. The
clear and impartial preliminary renort az
me commissioners, which + transmit
gives 20 lucid and comprehen-
siVe a history Of the present insurrection-
airy movement that the story need not be
here repeated,
1T Is enough TO say that the claim Of
the rebel leader that he was promised
Independence by any officer OF the United
IA ACtdS4BT LDE MS assistance mas
no foundation in fact and is categoricaIIy
denied by the very witnesses who were
called to prove it.
The most the insurxsnt leader honaS
tor Wnen he came back 60 Manila was
the liberation Of the Islands from the
Spanish control, which they had been
laooriug for years without success to
throw on, The prompt accomplishment
OF this work by the American army and
naVU Ga IN hfr. ANk1- 49, -
and insidious suggestions from various
quarters perverted the purposes and in
tentions with which he had taken up
arms.
The rebellion must be put down, civil
government cannot be Thoroughly estab-
lished until order "a restored.
With a devotion and ~gaIlantry worthy
OF its most brilliant history, the army,
ably and Loyalty assisted by the navy,
has carried on this unweIcome but most
righteous campaign. which richly de-
served success. The noble ~seIf-sacrffic
with which u soldiers and sailors whose
terms OF ser vice had expired refused 70
avail themselves Of their right 70 return
home as long as they were needed at the
front forms one Of the brightest pages In
our annals. Although their operations
have been somewhat interrupted and
checked by a rainy season Of unusual
N~A"AN HA"L NNA oNAoAAs LlACy H@f EAAAACN
ground steadily in every direction and
now look forward confidently 10 = speedy
completion Of their task.
The unfavorable circumstances con-
nected with an active campaign have not
been permitted TO interfere with Unequal
ly important work Of reconstruction.
Again 1 invite your attention Of the re-
port Of the commissioners, giving interest,"
Ing and encouraging details Of the work
aTrza3y accommodated in rhA act hliz y
OF peace and order and the inauguration
Of se~If-goveruing municipal life in many
portions Of the archipelago. A notable
beginning has been made in tie establish
ment Of q government in the Island Of
Negroes, which Is deserving or special con-
s~fderation- This was the first island to
accept American sovereignty. Its people
unreservedIy proclaimed allegiance To the
United States ind adopted a constitution
looking to the establishment Of a popular
government.
The authorities Of the Sulu islands have
accepted the succession Of the UuSed
States TO the rights Of Spain, and our flag
floats over that territory.
Concerning the future government OF
the archipelago the president says:
The future government Of the Philip
pines rests with the congress OF the
United States. Few graver responsible
ties have ever been ronided to US II
we accept them in q spirit worthy OF
our race and our traditions, q great op-
p~ortunity comes with them
The islands lie under the shelter OF
our fig. They are ours by every title
OF law and equity. They cannot be
abandoned IL we desert them we cave
them az once TO anarchy and finally 10
barbarism. We fling them, a golden apple
of discord. among the rival powers, no
one Of which could permit another 20
seize them unquestioned.
Their rich plains ms valleys would be
the scene Of endless strife and bloodshed.
The advent OF Dewey's fleet IN Manila
bay. irstead of being, as we hoped, The
down of a rev day OF freedom pro-
gress. will have been the beginning or
an era Of misery and violence worse
any which has Garkened their unhappy
past. The suggestion 4 been made that
we c, uld renOunce our authority over the
island.
This proposition viii not be found. I
am sure. worthy Of your serious atten-
ton. Such an arrangement would involve
at the ouset a cruel breach OF faith.
1t would take the peacable and loyal
majority who ask nothing better than TO
accept our authority at the mercy OF the
minority OF armed insurgents. 1t wouid
make Us responsible for the acts or the
insurgsnt leaders, and give us no power
with the task OF protecting them against
each other and defending them against
auy foreign power with which they chose
10 quarrel. In short. IL would take from
the congress OF the United States the
power OF declaring war and vest that tre-
mendous p~rerogatiye in the legal leader
OF the hour.
II does not seem desirable hat I should
recommend at this time a specific and
finsl form Of government FOR these is
ands. when peace shall be restored 10
will be the duty Of congress to construct
a plan Of government which shall estab-
fish and maintain freedom n order and
peace in the Philippines.
Until congress shall make known the
formal expression Of it's will, / shall use
the authority vested In me by the con-
stitution and the statutes TO uphold the
sovereignty Of the United States in those
distant islands as in all other PAGES
where our nag r~ightfully floats.
/ shall put at the disposal or the army
and navy all the mean which the liber-
ality OF congress ard the people have
provided 10 cause this u~nprovoked and
wasteful insurrectior TO cease. IL any or
ders OF mine were required TO insure the
msrcifui conduct OF military and naval
operations they you'd not be lacking but
every step OF the rogress OF he troops
has been marked by q humanity which
has surprised even the misguided insur-
- a. ~ Urt1t