River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-12-07

under construction. / heartily concur in
the recommendations for the increase of
the navy, as suggested by the secretary.
Our future progress and prosperity de-
pend upon our ability to equal if not sur
pass other nations in the enlargement and
advance Of science. industry and COM
re invention we must turn as one
Of the most powerful aids TO the accom-
pliShment of such a result. The attention
Of the congress is directed to the report
viii be found valuable suggestions and
recommendations.
The subject of Pensions.
on the subject of pensions he gives the
present ruling OF the commissioner Of PEN
sions regarding the pensions of widows,
recites the desires expressed by the grand
lrmy at its recent encampment, and says:
With the approval Of the secretary Of the
Interior. the commissioned OF pensions
recommends that. in order to make the
practice at all times uniform and TO do
to the dependent widow. the amount
OF income allowed Independent of the
proceeds OF her daily labor should be not
than $3.50 per annum, and he urges that
the congress shall so amend the act as
to permit the pension office to grant pen
sionable status TO widows under the terms
Of the third section of June q, 1890, whose
income aside from the proceeds OF daily
believe this to be a simple act Of justice
and heartily recommend it.
On the subject of forest reservations he
all AIEAGdEG III lAG dIIIODA d
lions for this work Of the interior depart
ment.
Department of Agriculture.
Regarding the work of the department Of
estimable value Of the department TO our
agricultural interests, and says of IL:
Markets are being sought and opened up
for surplus farm and factory products In
Of the young farmer through
agricultural college and experiment sta
with opportunity given to specialize
in the department of agriculture, is very
promising, The people of Hawaii, Porto
Rico, and the Philippine Islands, should be
helped, by the establishment of experiment
stations, to a more scientific knowledge OF
the production of coffee, india rubber and
other tropical products, for which there is
demand in the United States.
There Is widespread interest in the i'm
Of our public highways at the
present time, and the department Of agri-
is cooperating with the people in
each locality in making the best possible
roads from local material n in expert
menting with steel tracks. A more intelli-
gent system of managing the forests Of the
is being put In operation, and a
careful study Of the whole forestry prob
lem is being conducted throughout the
States. A very extensive and com
plete exhibit of the agricultural and horti-
cultural products of the United States is
being prepared for the Paris exposition.
The Philippines.
OF all the subjects treated the Philip
mines receive pfODdDly the STtdteSA diHOuHl
Of attention. lie reviews the connection of
this government with the Islands since the
signing of the peace treaty with Spain, tells
Of the attempt of the administrator TO as
sure the people of the Islands of the good
will and friendly intentions of this gov
eminent, and of this avs
From the earliest moment no opportuni-
tv was lost of assuring the people Of the
Islands of our ardent desire for their well
and of the intention of this govern
ment to do everything possible TO advance
4baf. fptar6Sfg In nv order of the lAth
az May, 1898, the commander Of the mill
tary expedition dispatched to the Philip
was instructed to declare that we
not to make war upon the people
Of that country, NOR upon any party or
faction among them, but to protect them
in their homes, in their employments and
That there should be no doubt as to the
authority there, on the 18th
Of August it was directed that there
be no joint occupation with the in
that the United States must
the peace ana protect persons
and property within the territory occupied
by their military and naval forces: that
the insurgents and all others must rec
ognize the military occupation and au-
thority of the United States. As early as
December A., before the c%ession, and in
anticipation of thai event, the commander
in Manila was urged to restore peace and
tranquility and to undertake the estab-
lishment of a beneficent government.
which should afford the fullest security for
life and property.
The Philippine Commission.
He reviews the ~organizatl j of the Phil
commission and its purpose, and
that before their arrival at Manila
the insurrection had broken out. OF this
commission and the outbreak OF the insur-
rection he says:
But before their arrival at Manila the
sinister ambition of a few leaders of the
Filipinos had created a situation full Of
m-barrassments for us and most grieyous
in it's consequences to themselves. The
49,. md I'm tao rfiol nralffpfD a ~ rpy.nvt Af
the commissioners, which | transmit here
with, gives so lucid and comprehensive a
history of the present insurrectionary
movement that the story need not be here
claim of the rebel leader that he was prom
ised independence by any officer of the
United States in return for his assistance
has no foundation in fact and is categor-
ically denied by the very witnesses who
were called to prove it.. The most the in
surgent leader hoped for when he came
back TO Manila was the liberation of the
islands from the Spanish control, which
they had been laboring for years without
success to throw off.
AguinaIdo's Ambition.
The prompt accomplishment of this work
by the American army and navy gave him
other ideas and ambitions, and insidious
suggestions from various quarters pervert-
ed the purposes and intentions with which
he had taken up arms. No sooner had our
army captured Manila than the Filipino
forces began to assume an attitude of sus-
picion ana hostility which the utmost eff
forts of our officers and troops were unable
forbearance were taken as a proof OF
cowardice. The aggressions of the Fiji
pinos continually increased until finally,
just before the time set for the senate OF
the United States for a vote upon the
treaty, an attack, evidently prepared in
advance, was made all along the Amer
lean lines, which resulted in a terribly de-
structive and s~anguinary repulse of the
insurgents.
government was issued to its adherents
who had remained in Manila, of which Gen.
Otis justly observes that "for barbarous in
tent it is u~nequaled in modern times" It
directs that at eight o'clock on the night
of the 18th of February, the territorial
militia" shall come together in the streets
of San Pedro, armed with their bolos, with
guns and ammunition where convenient;
that Filipino families only shall be re-
spected that all other individuals, of what
ever race they may be, shall be eXter-
determination of the army of occupation,
and adds: Brothers. we must avenge our
selves on the Americans and e~xterminate
them, that we may take our revenge for
The iafamies and treacheries which they
have committed upon us. Have no com
passion upon them; attack with
Vigor." A copy of this fell, by good for
into the hands of our officers, and
they were able to take measures to con-
troll the rising, which was actually at
tempted on the night of February %, a
week later than was originally cortem-
plated. Considerable number of armed
insurgents entered the city by waterways
crates inside. attempted to destroy Manila
by fire. They were kept in check during
the night, and the next day driven out of
TIE city with heavy loss.
Rebellion Must BE Put Down.
of the course to be pursued and the work
of reconstruction that is going on he says:
The course thus clearly Indicated has
been unfiinchingly pursued. The rebellion
must be put down. civil government can
not be thoroughly established until order is
restored. With a devotion and gallantry
worthy of its most brilliant history, the
army. ably and Loyalty assisted by the
navy, has carried on this unwelcome, but
most righteous, campaign with richly de-
served success. The noble se~lf-sacrifice
with which our soldiers and sailors whose
terms of service had expired refused to
themselves of their right to return
home as long as they We're needed at the
front forms one Of the brightest pages in
our annals. Although their operations
have been somewhat interrupted and
checked by a rainy season of %unusual vio-
ground steadily in every direction, and
now look forward confidently to a speedy
completion of their task.
Work of Reconstruction.
The ~unfavorable circumstances connect
ed with an active campaign have not been
permitted to interfere with the equally inn
portant work of reconstruction. AGAIN J
invite your attention to the report of the
commissioners for the interesting ard en-
couraging details of the work already ac-
complished IN the establishment Of peace
and order and the inauguration of self
governing municipal life in many portions
of the archipelago. A notable beginning
has been made in the establishment OF a
government in the island of Negroes, which
is deserving of special consideration. rms
was the first island TO accept American
sovereignty. It's people unreservedly pro-
allegiance to the United states and
adopted a Constitution looking to the eS-
adjustment of a popular government. II