The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-12-08

undutiable. The United States will give
full protection to the sultan in case any
foreign nation should attempt to impose
upon him. The United States will not
sell the island of Jolo or any other island
OF the Jolo archipelago to any foreign ma
ton without the consent of the sultan.
Salaries for the sultan and his associates
In the administration of the islands have
been agreed upon to the amount of $3.50
monthly.
Article x provides that any slave in the
archipelago of Jolo shall have the right to
purchase freedom by paying to the mas
ter the usual market value. The agree
ment by General Bates was made subject
to confirmation by the president and 20
the future notifications by the consent of
the parties in interest. I have confirmed
said agreement, subject to the action of
the congress, and with the reservation,
which have directed shall be commune
Gated to the sultan of Jolo, that this
agreement is not to be deemed in any way
to authorize or give the consent of the
United States to the existence of slavery
In the Sulu archipelago. l communicate
these facts to the congress for its informa-
ton and action. Everything indicates
that with the speedy suppression of the
Tagalo rebellion life in the archipelago
will soon resume it's ordinary course
under the protection of our sovereignty
and the people Of those favored is
lands will enjoy prosperity and u free
dom which they have never before known.
Already hundreds of schools are open and
filled with children. Religious freedom
is sacredly secured and enjoyed. The
courts are dispensing justice. Business
channels. Manila, whose inhabitants
were fleeing to the country few months
ago, is now populous and thriving mart
of commerce. The earnest and unremit-
ting endeavors of the commission and the
admiral and major general commanding
the department of the Pacific to assure
the people of the beneficent intentions of
this government have had their legitimate
effect in convincing the great mass of
them that peace and safety and prosper
ity and stable government can only be
loyal acceptance of the authority Of the
United States.
Future of the FillpinOs,
The future of the Philippines rests with
the congress of the United States Few
graver responsibilities have ever been
conf1ded to US. If we accept them in a
tions, a great opportunity comes with
them. The islands lie under the shelter
of our flag. They are ours by title of law
and equity. They cannot be abandoned
If we desert them, we leave them at once
to anarchy and finally to barbarism. We
fling them, "a golden apple Of discorG
among the rival powers, no one of which
could permit another to seize them I'M
moi, ,,;.1, ~ !
would be the scene of endless strife and
bloodshed The advent Of Dewey's fleet
in Manila bay, instead of being, as we
hope, the dawn of u new day of freedom
and progress. will have been the begin
ming of an era of misery and violence
worse than any which has darlSened their
unhappy past. The suggestion nas beer
made that we could renounce 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 at the outset a cruel breach of
faith. 1t would place the peaceable and
loyal majority, who ask nothing better
than to accept our authority, at the mercy
Of the minority of armed insurgents. It
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 the congress of the United
States the power Of declaring war and
vest that tremendous prerogatiye in the
Tagalo leader of the hour.
1t does not seem desirable that should
recommend at this time specific and
final form of government for these isl
ands. When peace shall be re tored it
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 insured
ton is still existing, and when 1t terml'
mates further information will be required
rs to the actual condition Of affairs before
establishinga permanent scheme OF civil
government. The full report of the com
mission, now in preparation, will contain
information and suggestions which vii
be Of value to congress and which 1 vii
transmit as soon as it is completed. Al
long as the insufrection continues tht
military arm must necessarily be supreme
But there is no reason why steps should
not be taken from time to time to inau
gurate governments essentially popula
in their form as fast as territory i
held Or controlled by our troops. To thi
end am considering the ACCESSIBILITY .
the return of the commission, or such o
the members thereof as can be secured, t.
aid the existing authorities and faoilitat
this work throughout the islands hav
believed that reconstruction should no
begin by the establishment Of one centra
government for all the islands, with it
seat at Manila, but rather that the wor
should be commenced by building III
from the bottom, first establishing mt
nicipal government and then provincial
governments, q central government a
last to follow.
Rebellion Mu>t BE Crushed.
Until the congress shall have mad
known the formal expression of its will
shall use the authority vested in me b
the constitution and the statutes to up
hold the sovereignty of the United State
In those distant islands, as in all othe
places where our flag rightfully floats.
shall put at the DISPOSAL Of the army an