The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-12-06

American peOD:e that war ml9NI Do
averred. good Offices would kave been
gladly rendered.
The United States representatlye ao
Pretoria was cary instructed TO see tha5
all neutral American interests be re-
spected by the conbatants This has
been an easy task in view of the posi-
tive declarations of both British and
Boer authorities that the personal ana
property rights OF our citizens should
be observed.
Upon the withdrawal OF the British
agent from Pretoria, the United States
consul was authorized, upon the request
OF the British government and with the
assent Of the Soatn African ana Orange
Free State governments, TO exercise tie
customary good Offices OF neutral Ior
the care Of British interests. In TIE ais
charge of this function. an happy TO
say that abundant opportunity has oeen
afforded TO show the mpartlallty OF TINS
government toward both the combat
ants.
Cuban Administrations.
Ny annual message of last year was
necessarily devoted In great part to
consideration Of the Spanish war and
of the results it wrought and the condl-
tions it imposed for the future. am
sratifed to announce that the treaty OF
peace has restored friendly relations be-
tween the two powers. Effect has been
given to its important provisions. The
evacuation Of Porto Rico having already
been accomplished on Oct. IS. 1898,
nothing remained necessary there to
continue the provisional military con-
troll OF the island until the con-
gress should enact suitable govern
ment for the ceded territory. OF the
character and scope Of the measures to
that end l shall treat in another part Of
this message.
The Withdrawal of the authority of
Spain from the island of Cuba was ef-
fected by Jan l, so that the full re-es.
tablishment of peace found the relin-
ouished territory held by Us in trust for
the inhabitants, maintaining under the
direction of the executive such govern
menr and control therein as should con-
serve public order, restore the produc.
tive conditions of peace so long dis
turbed by the instability and disorder
which prevailed for the greater part OF
the preceding three decades, and build
up that tranquil development Of the do
mestic state whereby alone can be real
lied the high purpose as proclaimed IN
the joint resolution adopted By TIE con-
gress on a April 19. 1898, by which the
United States disc?aimed any dlsposl-
ton or intention to exercise sovereignty,
Jurisdiction or control over Cuba, ex-
cepr for the pacification thereof. and as
serted its determination when that was
ACCOMPLISHED to leave the government
and control of the island to its people.
The pledge contained IL this resolu-
ton is OF the highest honorable ob!iga-
ton and must be sacredly kept. be-
lieve that substantial progress has been
made in this direction. All the admin.
istrative measures adopted in Cuba have
aimed to fit for regenerated existence
by enforcing the supremacy OF law and
insrice; by placing wherever practicable
the machinery of administration IN the
hands of the inhabitants; by instltutlng
needed sanitary reforms; by spreading
education; by fostering industry and
trade; by intoxicating public morality,
and, in short, by taking every rational
step to aid the Cuban people to attain
to that plane Of self conscious respect
and self reliant unity which fits an en-
lightened community for self govern
menr within It's own sphere, while en-.
ablirg it to fulfill al outward obliga-
tions.
philippines Problem
On the lo,h G: December, 1899, the
treaty OF peace between the United
States aud Spain was signed. L pro-
viGed, among other things, 1haS Spain
should cede 10 the United States the
archipelago known as The Philippine
Islands; that the United States should
nav to Spain the sum OF twenty millions
of dollars. and that the civil rights and
political status Of the native inhabitants
Of the territories thus ceded to the
United States should be determined by
the congress. The treaty was ratified
by the senate on the 611 of February,
1899. and by the government Of Spain
on the 10th OF March following. The
ratifcations were exchanged on the llth
of April, and the treaty publicly pro-
claimed. On the IND Of March the con-
gress voted the sum contem plated by
the treaty and the amount was paid
over to the Spanish government on the
1st of May.
In this manner the Philippines came
to the United States. The islands were
ceded by the government of Spain,
which had been in undisputed posses
sion of them for centuries. They were
accepted. not merely by our authorized
agents in Paris under the direction of
the executive, but by the constitutional
and we'll considered action of the repre-
sentatives of the people in both houses
of congress. I had every reason to be-
lieve, and still believe, that this trans
fer of sovereignty was in accordance
with the wishes and the aspirations 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 for
their welfare, and OF the intention of
this government TO do everything pos
sible 10 advance their interests.
.Agui::aldo's Claim.
The claim of the rebel leader that he
was promised independence by any Off
Ger OF the United States III return for
his assistance has no foundation in fact