Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-12-08
TIE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

regenerated existence and for self-gov.
eminent within it's own sphere. Free
Cuba, however, must be a reality, not
a name. A loosely-framed common
wealth is not to be turned adrift tc
face the vicissitudes of weaker states
but wise preparation must be made
for eventual self-government of re-
sponsible character.
In the Turkish empire the situation
Of our citizens remains unsatisfactory
and claims of many years standing
have not yet been collected, though
our government Is hopeful In this re-
gard.
Attention Is called to the arrange
ments made for collecting official and
economic data under the international
union Of American republics and also
to the commercial museum of Phila-
delphia in furthe-ance Of this idea and
the Pan-American exposition Of 1901
on the Niagara frontier.
The president gives resume OF the
Hague conference and its results in
the amelioration of the laws and GUS
toms Of wa. and says that the historic
position of the United States as to en-
tanglements with foreign nations was
duly observed.
In regard to the army, especially In
the Philippines, the message gives fig
ures and facts showing the actuag
number returned. e.c. Mr.. Mckinley
recommends a special medal Of honor
for volunteers, regulars, sailors and
marines on duty In the Philippines
who remained in service after their
terms of enlistment expired. The total
number of troops now in the Philip
pines and those on the way comprise
2,051 officers and G3.4S3 men. The de-
velopment of the postal system In
Porto Rico and the Philippines is stat
ed to have been rapid and successful
and to be growing with extraordinary
in the domestic service or
in the United States proper. AS to the
navy high praise is given it for its
efficiency and recommendations are
made for necessary legislation and aid
In the matter of naval construction as
suggested by the secretary of the navy.
The statements Of the message as to
the future of the Philippines are clear
and unequivocal. The rebellion must
be put down and civil government re-
stored. Free public schools must be
established and the burden Of gov
eminent equally distributed. Already
hundreds of schools. are open and
filled with children. Religious free
dom is sacredly assured and enjoyed.
The courts are dispensing Justice and
business is beginning to circulate in
it's accustomed channels. The future
government of the islands rests with
the congress of the United States. and
the president adds that a few graver
responsibilities have ever been conf1ded
to US. II we accept them in spirit
worthy our race and traditions a great
opportunity comes with them. The
islands lie under our flag. They are
ours by every title of law and equity.
They cannot be abandoned. II we de-
sert them we leave them at once to
anarchy and finally to barbarism. No
specific or final form Of government
for the islands Is recommended. When
81 eongfess t. construct b BIZ 81 tg
eminent which shall establish free
dom and order in the Philippines. I'm
til congress makes known the final ex-
preston of its will the president must
use the authority vested in him to up
hold the sovereignty of the United
States in the Islands. When the in
surrection ends it will be the hour Of
peace and clemency.
The text of the message, referring to
the Philippines, is in full:
On Dec. 10. 1898. the treaty Of peace be-
tween the United States and Spain was
signed. 1t provided, among other things,
that Spain should cede to the United
States the archipelago known as the Phil
ippine islands, that the United States
should pay to Spain the sum OF $780,
100000. and that the civil rights and
political status Of the native inhabitants
United States should be determined by
the congress. The treaty was ratified by
the senate on the 9Th Of February, 1899.
and by the government of Spain on
March 10 following. The notifications
were exchanged on April II. and the
treaty publicly proclaimed. On March 2
the congress voted the sum contemplated
by the treaty and the amount was paid
over to the Spanish government on May
LIST.
In this manner the Philippines came to
the United States. The islands were ced-
ed by the government OF Spain. which
had been in und:sputed possession Of them
for centuries. They were accepted no,
merely by our authorized commissioners
in Paris. under the direction Of the ex-
ecutive, but by the constitutional and
well-considered action of the representa-.
tives Of the people Of the United States
In both houses of congress. I had every
reason to believe, and I still believe. thai
this transfer of sovereignty was in &C
cordance with the wishes and the aspir
atoms of the great mass Of the Filipino
people.
From the earliest moment no oppor
tunity was lost Of assuring the people
Of the islands of our ardent desire fol
their welfare and of the intention of THU
~
advance their interests. In my order O.
the 10Th Of May. 1898. the commander
of the military expedition dispatched t.
the Philippines was instructed to declare
that we came not to make war upon tn
people of that country, nor upon an!
party or faction among them. but to pro
tect them in their homes, In their EN-
pigments and in their personal and re
lgious rights That there should b.
no doubt as to the paramount authorit!
there. on the 18th Of August 1t was di
rected that there must be no joint oc
cupation with the insurgents:" that tn
United States must preserve the peac
and protect persons and property within
the territory occupied by their milltar.
and naval forces: that the insurgent
and all others must recognize the mill
tary occupation and authority Of tn
United States. As early as December