The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-12-05

! tive Inhabitants OF the tkrrit6fies thus
ceded 10 the United States should be
determined by congress.
From the earliest moment no oppor-
tunity was lost Of assuring the people
OF the Islands OF our ardent desire for
their welfare and OF the intention of
this government to do everything pos
sible to advance their interests That
there should be no doubt as to the
paramount authority there. on the 18th
OF August It was directed that there
must be no Joint occupation with the
insurgents"
Our Philippines Mission.
On Dec. 81. after the treaty was sign
ed, the commander Of the forces OF
occupation was instructed "to an
nounce and proclaim in the most pub
lie manner that we come not as In
vaders and conquerors. but as friends
TO protect the natives In their homes,
In their employment and In their per-
sonal and religious rights"
Then follows a chapter on the ap-
pointment OF the special Philippines
commission and Aguinaldo's resistance
to American authority. The president
distinctly declares that the rebel leader
was not promised independence. and
that the war with the Filipinos was
forced upon us. The message pro-
ceeds:
Whatever the future Of the Philip
pines may be there Is no course open
to us now except the prosecution Of the
war until the insurgents are reduced
to submission. The course thus clear
ly indicated has been unfiinchingly
pursued. The rebellion must be put
down. Civil government cannot be
thoroughly established until order is
restored. With a devotion and a gal
lantry worthy Of its most brilliant his
tory the army, ably and Loyalty assist
ed by the navy, has carried on this un-
welcome but most righteous campaign
with richly deserved success. The
noble self sacrifice with which our
soldiers and sailors whose terms OF
service had expired refused to avail
themselves OF their right to 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 inter
rupted and checked by a rainy season
of unusual violence and duration, they
have gained ground in every direction
and now look forward confidently to
a speedy completion OF their task.
The unfaYorable circumstances con-
nected with an active campaign have
not been permitted to interfere with
the equally important work OF recon-
struction. A notable beginning has
been made in the establishment of
government in the Island of Negros,
which is deserving Of special consid-
Grafton. This was the first island to
accept American sovereignty. Its peo-
pie unTeservedly proclaimed allegiancs
tO the United States and adopted q
constitution looking to the establish
ment of a popular government. It
was impossible to guarantee to the
people of Negros that the constitution
so adopted should be the ultimate
form of government Such a question
comes exclusively within the iurisdic-
ton of the congress.
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.
A Cheerful Prediction.
Everything indicates that, with the
speedy suppression of the Tagalo re-
bellion, life in the archipelago will
soon resume its ordinary course under
the protection of our sovereignty, and
the people of those favored islands
will enjoy prosperity and a freedom
which they have never before known
Already hundreds of schools are open
and filled with children. Religious
freedom is sacredly assured and en-
joyed. The courts are dispensing JUS
tice. Business is beginning to clrcu-
late in its accustomed channels. Man
lila, whose inhabitants were fleeing to
the country few months ago, is now
populous and thriving mart of COM
merce.
The future government of the Phil
ippines rests with the congress of the
United States. Few graver RESPONSE
bilities have ever been confided to us.
If we accept them in a spirit worthy Of
our race and our traditions, a 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 cannot 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 pow,
ers, no one of which could permit an
other to seize them unquestioned.
The suggestion has been made that
we could renounce our authority over
the islands and, giving them inde-
pendence, could retain a protectorate
over them. This proposition will not
be found, I am sure. worthy of your
serious attention. Such an arrang
ment would involve at the outset
| cruel breach of faith. It would make
us responsible for the acts OF the in
surgent leaders and give us no power
to control them.
Until congress shall have made
known the formal expression of its
will l shall use the authority vested
in me by the constitution and the
I statutes to uphold the sovereignty of
the United States in those distant ISL
ands as in all ether places where our
flag rightfully floats. Every step of
the progress of our troops has been
marked by humanity which has sur
prised even the misguided insurgents
The truest kindness to them will be
a swift and effective defeat of their
| present leader. The hour of victory