The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1899-12-13


the first time since it's creation in 1890,
all the republics of South and Central
America are now, represented in it.
Thus interpreted the convention at The
Hague for the pasifc settlement of inter-
national conflicts, may be regarded as re-
bers of American citizens, whose deep
sense of Judgment expressed in numer-
Gus resolutions and memorials, has urged
them to labor for this noble achievement.
The general character of this convention,
already signed by the delegates of more
than twenty sovereign states, further
commends it to the favorable action Of
the Senate of the United States, whose
ratification it still awaits.
The Army and Navy.
The President reviews the deeds of the
army and recommends that the Congress
provide a special medal Of honor for the
volunteers, regulars, sailors and marines
on duty in the Philippines, who volun-
tarily remained in the service after their
terms of enlistment had expired.
The navy has maintained the spirit
and high efficiency which have always
characterized that service and has lost
none Of the gallantry in heroic action
which has signalized it's brilliant and glo
rious past. The nation has equal pride
in it's early and later achievements. It's
habituai readiness for every emergency
has won the confidence and admiration
of the country.
Pensions of Widows.
In the matter of pensions, the Presi-
dent heartily recommends the policy Of
the commissioner Of pensions that the
amount of income allowed to widows Of
soldiers independent of the proceeds of
her daily labor, should be not less than
$3.50 per annum, and urges that the Con-
gress shall so amend the act as to permit
the pension office to grant pensionable
status to widows under the terms of
the third section of the act of June u,
1890, whose income aside from the pro
ceedS of daily labor is not IN excess OF
$3.50 per annum.
Our Duty in the Phi ;1ippines.
A large portion of the message is taken
up with the Philippine question. After
reciting all the events leading up to the
revolt by Aguinaldo, the President says:
The rebellion must be put down. Civil
government cannot be thoroughly estab-
lished until order is restored. With devo-
tion and gallantry worthy of its most bril-
sisted by the navy, has carried on this I'M
welcome, but most righteous campaign
with richly deserved success. The noble
self-sacrifce with which soldiers and
sailors whose terms Of service had expired
refused to avail themselves of their right
to return home as long as they We're needed
pages in our annals. Although their opera
lions have been somewhat interrupted and
checked by a rainy season of unusual vio-
lence and duration, they have gained ground
steadily in every direction and now look
forward confidently to speedy completion
of their task.
Everything indicates that with the speedy
suppression of the Tagalo rebellion life in
the archipelago will soon resume its Ordi
nary course under the protection of our
sovereignty and the ,people of those favored
scya xr,tG ,jAry npyfxy md frn
dom which they have never before known.
The future government OF the Philippines
rests with the Congress of the United
ever been e confded s to us. If we accept
them in a spirit worthy Of our race and our
traditions, government opportunity comes
ter 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 bar.
discord, among the rival powers, no one OF
which could permit another to seize them
unauestionsd Their rich plains, and val
and bloodshed. The advent of Dewey's
fleet in Manila bay instead of being as we
hope, the dawn of new day of freedom
and progress will have been the beginning
of an era OF misery and violence worse
than any which has darkened their unhappy
past The suggestion has been made that
we could renounce our authority over the
islands and giving them independence, could
retain a protectorate over them. This prop
position will not be found, am sure,
worthy Of your serious attention. Such an
arrangement would involve at the outset
a cruel breach of faith. It would place the
peaceable and loyal majority, who ask
nothing better than to accept our arthoTity
SurgentS. 1t would make us 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 foreign power with which they
chose to quarrel. In short, it would take
power Of declaring war and vest that ire
mendous prerogative in the Tagal leader Of
the hour.
It does not seem desirable that should
recommend at this time a specific and Anal
form Of government for these islands.
When peace shall be restored it will be the
eminent which shall establish and maintain
freedom and order and peace in the Philip
pines.
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 statutes to uphold the sovereignty
of the United States in those distant is
lands as in all other 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 cause this unprOvOked and
wasteful insurrection to cease. II any or
ders of mine were required to insure the
merciful conduct of military and naval OPP
erations they would not be lacking; but ev-
cry step of the progress Of our troops has
been marked by a humanity which has sur
prised even the misguided 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.
The Hawaiian Situation.
Some embarrassment in administration
has occurred by reason Of the peculiar
status which the Hawaiian islands at
present occupy under the joint resolution
of annexation approved July Z, 1898.
The people Of these islands are entitled
to the benefits and privileges of our con-
stitution, but in the absence of any act Of
Congress, providing for federal courts in
the islands, and for procedure by which
appeals, writs of error and other judicial
proceedings necessary for the enforce
ment of civil rights may be prosecuted,
they are powerless to secure their en-
forcement by the judgment Of the courts
of the United States. 1t is manifestly
important therefore, that an act be
passed as speedily as possible erecting
these islands into judicial district, pro-
viding for the appointment of a judge
and other proper officers and methods of
procedure in appellate proceedings and