Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-12-07


mas realized the entire amount less
about s6,OOO,000 within period of two
years.
At the present time we have a total
OF SO forest reservations, embracing
an estimated area of &c, 021 ,S99 acres.
The additions during the past year
amount to over 5000, 900 acres. Forest
protection is encourag ed, the work of
the agricultural department is COM
mended, the introduction of tea Gull
ture to the south is spoken of, and a
good word is spoken for improved
! highways.
The Philippines.
! Dec. 10, 1898, the treaty of peace be-
| tween the United States and Spain was
signed and in this way the Philippines
came to the United States. The islands
were coded by the government of
Spain. They were accepted not merely
| by our authorized commissioners in
Paris, but by the constitutional and
well considered action of the repre-
sentatives of the people of the United
States in both houses of congress. 4
had every reason to believe, and l still
believe, that this transfer of sover-
eighty was in accordance with the
wishes and the aspirations of the great
mass of the Filipino people, declares
the president. The steps taken to win
the confidence and good will of the
natives are set forth in detail But"
says the president, the sinister ambi-
ton of few leaders of the Filipinos
created a situation full of embarrass-
ments for us and most grievous in its
consequences to themselves. The claim
of the rebel leader that he was promis-
ed independence by any officer of the
United States in return for his ssist-
ance has no foundation in fact and is
categorically denied by the very wit
nesses who were called to prove it.
The most the insurgent leader hoped
for when he came back to Manila was
the liberation of the islands from the
Spanish control, which they had been
labOring for years without success to
tnrow off. The prompt accomplish
ment of this work by the American
: army and navy gave him other ideas
and ambitions, and insidious sugges-
tions from various quarters perverted
the purposes and intentions with which
he had taken up arms. No sooner
had our army captured Manila than
the Filipino forces began to assume an
; attitude of suspicion and hostility
which the utmost efforts of our officers
and troops were unable to disarm or
modify. Their kindness and forbear-
ance were taken as a proof of coward
ice. The aggressions of the Filipinos
continually increased until finally, just
before the time set by the senate of
: the United States for vote upon the
treaty, an attack, evidently prepared in
advance, was made all along the
American lines, which resulted in a
terribly destructive and sanguinary
: repulse of the insurgents.
The president says: The rebellion
must be put down. Civil government
cannot be thoroughly established I'M
til order is restored. With a devo-
ton and gallantry worthy of it's most
, brilliant history, the army, ably and
loyalty assisted by the navy, has car
ried on this unwelcome, but most
righteous campaign with richly de-
served success. Self-governing munic-
, ipal life has been started in many por-
lions of the archipelago. A notable
beginning has been made in the estab-
lisEment of a government in the isl
! and of Negroes. This was the first ISL
, and to accept American sovereignty.
, It's people unreservedly proclaimed Al
legiance to the United States and
, adopted constitution looking to the
establishment of popular govern
: ment. 1t was impossible to guarantee
to the people of Negroes that the con-
> stitution so adopted should be the I'LL
innate form of government. Such a
, question, under the treaty with Spain,
= and in accordance with our own con-
f stitution and laws, came exclusively
: within the jurisdiction of congress.
| The government actually set up by the
l inhabitants of Negroes eventually
: proved unsatisfactory to the natives
| themselves. A new system was put
| into force with military governor at
, the head.
The judicial power is vested in three
. judges, who are to be appointed by the
military governor of the island. In
ferior courts are to be established
Free public schools are to be eStab-
lished throughout the populous dis
tricts of the island, in which the Eng
lish language shall be taught.
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.
The United States agrees not to sell
the island of Jolo or any other island
of the Jolo archipelago to any foreign
nation without the consent of the sui
tan Salaries for the sultan and his
associates in the administrator Of the
islands have been agreed upon to the
amount of $3.50 monthly. one article
provides that any slave in the archi-
freedom by paying to the master the
usual market value. The agreement
by General Bates was made subject to
confirmation by the president and to
future notifications by the consent OF
the parties in interest. | have con-
firmed said agreement, subject to the
action of the congress, and with the
reservation, which / have directed
shall be communicated to the sultan
Of Jolo, that this agreement is not to
| be deemed in any way to authorize or
| give the consent of the TTDTtpd States