The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-12-08

pines rests with the congress Of the United
States. Few graver responsibilities have
ever been confided to us. II we accept
them In q spirit worthy of our race and
our traditions, a great opportunity comes
with them. The islands lie under the
shelter of our flag. They age ours by
svery title Of law and equity, They can
not be abandoned. Ii we desert them we
leave them Mt once to anarchy and finally
to barbarism. We fling them, u golden
apple of discord, among the rival powers,
nc one of which could permit another to
seize them unquestioned. Their rich plains
and valleys would DO the scene Of endless
strife and bloodshed. The advent of
Dewey's fleet In Manila bay, instead Of
being, as 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 ren0unce 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 arrangement would
involve ut the outset
A Cruel Breach of Faith.
1t would place the peaceable and loyal
majority, who ask nothing better than
to accept u 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 them
against any foreign power with which
they chose to quarrel. In short, it would
| take from tho Nnnuvnco ~ tho TTv,ito1
States the power Of declaring war, and
vest that tremendous ~prerogative in the
Tagal leader of the hour.
1t does not seem desirable that I should
recommend at this time u specific and
final form of government for these islands.
When peace shall be restored 1t will be the
duty of congress to construct q plan OF
government which shall establish and
maintain freedom and order and peace in
the Philippines. The instruction Ia still
existing and when 1t terminates further
information will be required as to the
actual condition Of affairs before inaugu-
rating u permanent scheme of civil govern.
ment. The full report Of the commission
now in preparation will contain informa-
tion n suggestions which will be Of
value to congress, and which I will trans
nit as soon as 1t is completed. As long
as the insurrection continues the mill
tary arm must necessarily be su-
preme. But there is no reason why
steps should not be taken from time
to time to inaugurate governments essen
TALLY popular III their forms as fast a.
they are held or controlled by our troops.
To this end l I'm considering the advisa-
bility Of the return Of the commission or
such Of the members thereof us can be 90
cured, to aid the existing authorities and
facilitate this work throughout the ISL
ands have believed that reconstruction
should not begin by the establishment Of
one central civil government for the
island with Its seat at Mnaila, but rather
that the work should be commenced W
building from the bottom and municipal
governments and then provincial govern
ments, a central government to last fol-
low. Until congress shall have maze
known the formal expression of its will, I
shall use the authority vested in me by
the constitution and the statutes to up
hold the sovereignty Of the United States
In those distant islands as In all ether
places where our flag rightfully floats. l
shall put at the disposal Of the army and
navy all the means which the liberality of
congress and the people have provided to
oaus this unprovoked and wasteful in
surrection to cease. II any orders of mine
were required to insure the merciful CON-
duct Of military and naval operations
they would not be lacking; but every step
Of the progress of the troops has been
marked by a humanity which has
Surprised Even the MISC uidsd 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 clemency and reconstruction.
No effort will be spared to build up tho
waste places desolated by wa and by long
years Of misgovernment. We shall not
walt for the end Of strife to begin the
beneficent work. We shall continue, az
we have begun, to open the schools and
the churches, to set the courts In opera
ton, to foster industry and trade and
agriculture, and In every way in
our power to make these peo-
pie whom providence has brought within
our jurisdiction feel that 1t 10 their liberty
and not II power, their welfare and not
our gain, we are seeking to enhance. Our
flag has never waved over any community
but in blessing. ! believe the PHILIPPINES
will soon recognize the fact that 1t has not
lost it's gift of benediction in It's world
wide journey to their shores.
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