The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1899-12-09


equity. They cannot be abandoned
If we desert them we leave them AZ
once to anarchy and finally to barbAr-
ism. We fling them, a golden apple Of
discord, among the rival powers, no one
Of which would permit another to seize
them unquestioned. Their rich plains
and valleys would be the scene OF strife
and bloodshed.
The advent OF Dewey's fleet in Ma.
Mia bay, instead Of being, as We hope,
the dawn Of a new day Of freedom and
progress. win have been tn beginning
of an era of misery and violSace worse
than any which has darkened their I'M
happy past.
The suggestion has been made that
we could renounce our authority over
the islands, and, giving them independ-
ence, could retain a protectorate over
them. This proposition will not be
found, ! am sure, worthy of your seri-
Gus attention. Such an arrangement
would involve at the outset a cruel
breach of faith. 1t would place the
peaceable and loyal majority, whS ask
nothing better than to accept our au-
thority, at the mercy of armed insuR.
gents. 1t would make as responsible
for the acts of the insurgent leaders,
and give us no power to control them.
It would charge us with the task of
protecting them against each other
and defending them against any for
eign power with which they choose to
quarrel. In short, it would take from
the Congress Of the United States the
power of declaring war aud vest that
tremendous peTogatiYe with the Tagalo
leaders Of the hour.
It does not seem desirable that
should recommend at this time a speci-
fic and final form of government for
these islands. When peace shall be re-
stored it will be the duty Of Congress
to construct plan of government
which shall establish and maintain
freedom and order and peace in the
Philippines. The instruction is still
existing, and when it terminates fur.
Their information will be acquired as to
the actual condition Of affairs before
inaugurating a permanent scheme of
civil government.
The full report OF the commission,
now in preparation, will contain in
formation and suggestions which will
be of value to Congress. and which !
will transmit as soon as it is completed.
AS long as the lnsurrectiOn continues
the military arm must necessarily be
supreme. But there is no reason why
steps should not be takeu from time to
time to inaugurate governments essen
TALLY popular in their form as fast as
territory is held or controlled 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
existing authorities and facilitate this
work throughout the island.
l have believed that reconstruction
should not begin by the establishment
of one central government for all the
islands, with its seat at Manila, but
rather that the work should be COM
menced by building up from the bot
tom, first establishing municipal gov
ernments and then provincial govern
ments, central government at last to
follow.
Until Congress shall have made
known the formal expression of It's will
| shall use the authority vested in me
by the Constitution and the statues to
uphold the sovereignty of the United
States in those distant islands, and in
all other places where the flag right
fully floats. l shall put at thei disposal
Of the army and navy all the means
which the llberallty Of Congress and
the people have provided to cause this
and wasteful insurreetion
to cease.
If any orders Of mine were required
10 insure the merciful conduct OF the
and naval operations they
would not be lacking, but every step Of
the progress Of our troops has been
marked bV humanity which has sur.
prised even the misguided insurgents
The truest kindness to them will be .
swift and effective defeat of their pres.
ent leader.
The hour Of victory will be the hour
Of clemency and reconstruction. No
effort will be spared to build up the
waste places desolatsd by war and by
long years of misgovernment. We
shall not wait for the end of the strife !
TO begin the benefeent work. Wesban |
as we have begun to open the |
schools and churches, to set the courts
"a operation, to foster industry, trade.
md agriculture aud in every way in
'ur power to make these people whom
II u