Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-06

ynllpu 1nDIc Oh tiStOru. among lut NV al
nowcrs no one of which could permit an
nther TO seize them unquestioned. Their
rich plains and valleys would be the
scene of endless strife ana bloodshea.
The advent Of Dewey's fleet in Manila
hav instead of being. as we hope. the
dawn of a new day of freedom and prog
ress, will have been the beginning OF an
any which has darkened their unhappy
past .. 49,, ,, ,,,,,. A..
md reuounce, our authority over the
;sl.nds and giving them independence
could retain protectorate over them.
This proposition Will not be found l am
sure worthy of your serious attention.
S,uch an arrangement would involve at
The outset cruel breach of faith. 1t
would place the peaceable and loyal ma
jnritv who ask nothing better than to
accept our authority, at the mercy of the
minority of armed insurgents. 1t would
make us responsible for the acts of the
insiIrgent leaders and give us no power
10 control them. 1t would charge us
With The task Of protecting them against
each other and defending them agains
10 quarrel. In short it would take from
The Congress of The United States the
mower "f declaring war and vest that
tremendous provocative in the Tagai
leader of the hour.
/, does not seem desirable that should
recommend ut this time a specific and
final iorin Of government for these is
lands. When l,eace shall be restored it
will be the duty of Congress to construc.
Il plan of government which shall estab-
lish and m ma, hi, frGedom and order and
ton is still existing. and when il termi-
mates further information will be re-
uuired as TO the actual condition of aft
fairs before inaugurating d permanent
scheme of civil government. The full re-
port Of the commission, now in prepara-
ton. will contain information and sug
gross. ard which | will transmit as soon
as il is completed. As long as the insur-
rrction continues the military arm mus;
necessarily be supreme. But there is n"
reason why steps should not be take
from time to time to inaugurate govern
mcnts essentially popular in their form
trolled by our troops. To this end l am
considering the advisa bility of the return
OF the commission, "r such of the MEM
hers thereof can be secured. to aid
the existing authorities and facilitate
this work throughout the islands.
haze believed that reconstruction should
not begin by the establishment of ono
central civil government for all the IS
lands. with its seat at Manila. but rather
'h;, the work should he commenced by
building un from the bottom, first estab-
nsnmg municipal governments and then
provincial governments. Il central gov
crnmcnt at last 10 follow.
Until Congress shall have made known
the formal expression Of its will shall
use the authority vested in me by IN.
constitution and the statutes to uphold
the sovereignty of the United States ~
thosc distant islands as in all other
places wnere our flag rishtfully floats
shall Put ut the disposal OF the army AM
navy all the means which the libcfaItl
of Congress and the people have provided
to cause this unprovoked and wastcful
instruction to cease. If any orders o.
mine were required To insure the merciful
conduct of military and naval operations.
they would not he lacking; but every step
Of the progress of our troops has been
marked by Il humanity which has sur
prised even the misguided insurgents.
ba trnnst Kindness To them Will ne u
swift and effective defeat of their pres
rnt leader. The hour of victory viii DE
the hour Of clemency ana reconStructio.i'
No effort will he spared to build up thc
waste places desolated by war and ny
long years OF mSSovernment. We ShaH
not wait for the end Of Of strife t. b BEL;
as we have begun. to open the schools
and the churches. 70 set The courts ~
operation, to foster industry ana trade
and agriculture. and in every way III our
mower to make these people whom prov
dence has brought within our jurisdiction
feel that il is their i,.Ierty ana not "ut
mower their welfare and not our Sali
we are seeking to enhance. Our nag hae
never waved over any community put III
blessing. | believe the Filipanos VIII sool
recognize the fact that it has not lost it,
s.ift of benediction in its world wide jour
ney to their shores.
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
Some embarrassment in administration
has occurred by reason Of The peculiar
status which the Hawaiian islands al
present occupy under the Jolnt reSOlutlo :
of annexation approved July :; 1873
While. bv that resolution the republic ri
Hawaii as an independent nation wds cx-
tincuished, its separate sovereignty De
stroyed. and its property and possessionS
vested in the United States, yet com
plcte establishment for its government
under our system was not effected Nhii,
the municipal laws of the ISLANDS n't
enacted for the fuifillment of treaties ana
NOT Inconsistent with the joint resolution.
or contrary to the constitution Of the
United states or any OF ITS treaties re
main in force yet these laws relate only
to the social and Internal affairs OF me
If Importance which are. of il broader NJ
tiopai character. For example the IL
waiiap republic was divested oil all tlti'
to The puUlic lands in the islands ana u
not only unable to dispose OF ianus ;
sitrs. biIi il without power TO give com
pls.tc title in cases where lands nave De-
,inns winch carry with them the right 20
he ,nirchaser. lessee or settler to have =
mn title granted to him upon cpmplahct
with the conditions prescribed pH Ia" VI
i,v his particular agreement OF ehtfy'
w o,,nstinns of doubt and difficulty have
,,sn risen with reference to the coilectloll
ri tonnage tax on vessels coming ifopi
Hawaiian norts: with reference, I" ~.
stains of Chinese i'll the Islands, thTl
,ntr.ncc and exit thcrefrom: as to pa
tents and copyrights; as to the resis'er
of vessels under the naNlsatloii laws a.,
IN ,ne necessity OF holding elections il,
nccord.,n nee with the provisions OF ui'
Uawaiian statutes for the cnoice ot VAR
ol1s officers. and as 10 several othtr 'ihitt
tcrs of del all touching the interests botl
III. the island and of the federal govern
mcnt. ,h
IN The resolution of annexation the
trnsiient was directed to appoint five
commissioners to recommend to Congress
such legislation concerning the lSlildS "
tDcy should deem necessary OF Ptop''
These commissioners were ouiI appoin'''
and attcr Il careful Investigation am
study of the system of laws ana govern
,ncni prevailing in the isiands. ana "'
inc conditions existing there. they pr
pared "A bin to provide a government , IlLi
lev The, title of THE Territory OF Ha-
wyii The report of the commission
with s,ne bin which they prepared, va
transmitted by me Ia Congress on re
rnurber i, i>9S. but the bill stlll awaits
iirai action. ,.,,;tr. .
The people of these islands ar" entiti''
To The bcnciits and provisions OF ON
constitution. but in the absence 81 any
,,,t ,f Congress providing for fedora
courts in The islands. and tor Il procedur'
l,y which appeals. writS OF error an
other judicial proceedings necessary II"
the enforcement of civil rights may -
prosecuted. they are poWeriesS 10 se'ut
,h,ir' enforcement by the luuEhen, "
;ne courts of the United states IL :.
Ihplt .fult, that ~