Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

adopted heretofore in Cuba by this
regenerated existence and for self-gov-
eminent within its own sphere. Free
Cuba, however. must be a reality, not
a name. A loOSely-framed common
wealth is not TO be turned adrift to
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 furtherance of this idea and
! the PanAmerican exposition of 1901
on the Niagara frontier.
The president gives a resume of the
Hague conference and its results in
the amelioration of the laws and Gus
toms of war 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 actual
number returned, &c. Mr.. Mckinley
recommends 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
2,05l officers anG 63, 4S3 men. The de-
velOpment of the rCstal system in
Porto Rico and the Philippines is stat
ed TO have been rapid and successful
and to be growing with extraordinary
popularity in the domestic service or
in the United States proper. AS 10 the
navy high praise IS given it for its
efficiency and recommendations are
made for necessary legislation and aid
| III titt Didtbt1 vi nav ttl 'OEots hN lioAA 90
suggested by the secretary OF the navy.
The statements of the message as 10
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
filled with children. Religious free
dom is sacredly assured and enjoyed.
The courts are dispensing justice and
business is beginning to circulate in
its accustomed channels. The future
government of the islands rests with
the congress of the United States, and
the president adds that few graver
responsibilities have ever been confided
to us. If we accept them in spirit
worthy our race and traditions 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. if we de-
sert them we leave them at once to
anarchy and finally to barbarism. No
| specific final form Of government
for the islands Is recommended. When
| peace is restored il viii be the duty
of congress to construct plan of gov
eminent which shall establish free
dom and order in the Philippines. Tn
I'll 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 all:
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 $40
OE.OOo. and that the civil rights and
political status OF the native inhabitants
| of tho territories thus coded to the
| United States should be determined by
the congress. The treaty was ratified by
the senate on the 9th of February 1889.
| and by the government of Spain on
| March 10 following. The ratification
| were exchanged 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
1st.
| In this manner the Philippines came TO
| the United States. The islands were ced-
| ed by the government Of Spain which
| had been in undsputed possession of them
| for centuries. They were accepted not
| merely 10y 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, that
| this transfer of sovereignty was in ac-
| cOrdance with the wishes and the aspir-
| atoms of the great mass of the Filipino
| people
From the earliest moment no oppor-
| tunty was lost of assuring the people
| of the islands of ardent desire for
their welfare and of the intention Of this
government to do everything possible to
| advance their interests. In my order OF
the 10Th of May. 1898, the commander
| of the military expedition dispatched to
| the Philippines was instructed TO declare
| that we came not to make war upon the
| people OF that country, nor upon any
| party or faction among them. but to pro-
| tect them in their homes. i'm their em-
| Payments and in their personal and re-
| ligiOuS rights" That there should be
| no doubt as to the paramount authority
there on the nth Of August 1t was d-
rected that there must be no joint oc-
| cupation with the insurgents" that the
| United states must preserve the peace
ana protect persons and property within
the territory occupied by their military