The evening times., 1899-12-05

than any which has darkened their nm.
happy past The suggestion has been made
fnat we could renounce our authority over
the Islands. and. giving them indepeadencs.
could retain protectorate over them,
This proposition will not be found, am
cure, worthy Of your serious attention. Such
an arrangement would involve ct the outset
cruel breach Of faith. It would place
the peaceful and loyal majority, who SIX
nothing better than to accept our author.
ity. at the mercy Of the minority of armed
insurgents. 1t would make US responsible
Tor the acts OF the insurgents leaders and
| give IN NO power to control them. Ie
would charge US with the task Of pro-
ecting them against each other and de-
Tending them against any foreign power
with which they chose to quarrel. In
short, 1t would take from the Congress
OF the United States the power Of declar-
| ing war and vest that tremendous preroga-
tive in the Tagal leader of the hour.
1t does not seem desirable that should
recommend at this time specific and final
form Of government for these islands.
When peace shall be restored It will be
the duty Of Congress to construct a plan
Of government which shall establish and
maintain freedom and order and peace In
the Philippines. The insurreciion Is still
existing, and when 1t terminates further
information will be required as to the
actual condition Of affairs before inaug-
uratfng permanent scheme OF civil gov
ernment The full report OF the Commits
sion now In preparation will contain in
formation and suggestions which will be Of
value to Congress. and which / will trans
NIT as soon as 1t is completed. As long
as the insurrection continues the military
arm must necessarily be supreme. But
there is no reason why steps should not be
taken from time to time to inaugurate
governments essentially popular in their
form as fast as territory Is held and con-
troiled by our troops. To this end / am
considering the advisability of the return
Of the Commission, or such Of the members
thereof as can be secured, to aid the ex-
listing authorities and facilitate this work
throughout the Islands. / have believed
that reconstruction should net begin by the
establishment OF one central civil govern
ment for all the islands, with its seat ae
Manila, but rather that the work should
be commenced by building up from the
bottom, first establishing municipal gov
ernments and then provincial governments.
central government at last 10 follow
Until Congress shall have made known
the formal expression of its 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 places
where cur flag rightfuiiy floats | shall
put at the disposal Of the Army and Navy
all the means which the liberaiity of Con-
gress and the people have provided to
cause this unprovoked and wasteful insur-
rection to cease. IL any orders Of mine
were required to ensure the merciful con-
duct of military and naval operations they
would not be lacking; but every step OF
the progress Of our troops has been marked
by a humanity which has surprised even
the misguided insurgents. The truest kind
ness to them will be a swift and effective
defeat of their present leader. The hour
of victory will be the hour of clemency
and reconstruction
No effort will be spared to build up the
waste places deso!ated 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 opera
ton, to foster industry and trade and ag-
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 and not our gain. We are
seeking TO enhance. Our flag has never
waved over any community but in bless-
ing. / believe the Filipinos will soon rec
ognize the fact that it has rot lost its gift
Of benediction in its worldwide journey to
their shores