The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-02
First Annual Report Of Secretary
Root Made Public.
Contains Much Interesting Matter Upon
Subjects Connected With His Office.
Deals Largely With Questions Of
Insu1ar Policy, of Army Reor-
ganization, the Future of Cuba
Conducted in the Philippine ISL
ands.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-Dealing as
it does with large questions of insular
policy, of army reorganizations, of the
future of Cuba and of the campaign in
the Philippines, the first annual report
of Secretary Root, just made public,
is of exceptional interest.
Frequent reference is made to the re-
port of General Otis, to show the mag
nitude of the task set for him in the
Philippines, with the inadequate forces
at his command when the outbreak
came, and high tribute is paid to the
courage of the troops who, in the face
Of great hardships, voluntarily con-
scented to forego an immediate return
to their homes upon the expiration OIL
their terms of service. The history OF
the operations of the past season is re-
counted, and the Secretary outlines the
plan of the present campaign, Whlch
began in October. This involved the
movement of three separate forces. one
was to proceed up the Rio Grande along
the northeastern borders of the plains
and strike across to the Gulf OF Lin
gayen Another was to land on the
Gulf shores by transports and proceed
along the coast road to unite with the
first force. A third column was TO
strike straight along the railroad to
Dagupan. The Secretary says these
movements were executed with energy,
rapidity and success, notwithstanding
deluges of rain.
A chapter tells of what has been done
in Cuba by the army during the past
wear. Order has been maintained, So
cial distress has been alleviated, sanl-
tation has been instituted, and IN all
respects satisfactory progress has been
made, and the part played by our troops
now is but the restraining infiuence OF
their presence As order has been re-
stored. the force of troops has been re-
dl;ced. and orders have recently heen
given for the withdrawal of eight COM
NAMES of infanry and eight troops OF
cavalry.
In Porto Rico the year has beeIs de-
voted to administering and improving
the civil governments of the island ana
instructing the people in the rudlments
Of self-goyernment at every step III
conference with leading citizens
A compliment is paid to General
Iudington's administration OF the
Ouartermasters Department, anu IL -
said that owing to the experience ac-
ouired. the entire movement lnVoiVeu
in the transportation of a large army
TO the Philippines has been accom-
plished practically without loss Oh me-
disease or injury to health. me cloth-
ing of the army, too, was satislae eci >
and the food of good quality ana iul-
nished promptly.
The health of the army has peeh re-
markably good, and the report SNOW
that the death rate among soluieis III
the Philippines from disease Is onis
II 81 considerably less than IN w ASH
ington. Boston. San Francisco New
york and Baltimore. The soldiers hiiieu
in battle and dying of WOUNDS nuilipel
cd All and the entire mortallly was
S43 for the past ten months
Tho Secretary deals at great lensen
Nth the problem of insular Govern
,a,+ He recalls the fact that the
+raa+v of Paris places in Congress alohe
the determination of the civil represeh-
+ativas and political status-of the native
,bab;tants of the territories coded 70
the Tinted States. He argues thal lnis
,ioitation completely deprives these
,eonle of the right to have the lslanos
treated as States or as trrrl,orS pre-
viously acquired has been treated oi
even to assert a legal right under the
nrovision of the Constitution whlcn was
established for the people OF the UNIT
ed States Nevertheless, ne assumes
that the intention is to give TO them, 10
the greatest possible extent. lnolVioua
freedom. self government, in accord
anca with their capacity, just and fqual
laws. an opportunity for educatlon' Ioi
,,rof+ahIa industry and for develop
,,ao+ aud civilization. He takes up
porto Rico first. as presenting the
simplest problem, and after dlscussihs
the present conditions there, emphaslz-
ing the ignorance of the people Oh any
modern system of government, ne holds
that they should be provided with the
kind of administration to winch we
have been accustomed, with just as
much participation on their part as Is
possible without enabling their mex
perience to make it ineffective, and with
opportunities for them to increase thelr
capacity for government.
The Secretary lays stress upon past
failures because of the refusal of a
defeated minority to participate further
cisely the cause of the continual revo-
buttons in the West Indies and Central
America, and marks a rudimentary
stage of political development.
To meet the case, he suggests that a
statutory declaration as to what laws
shall be extended to the Porto Ricans
with provision for Federal officers to
execute them, and for Federal judic-
larry with appeal to the United States
Supreme Court. There should be a
form of local. insular Government SUBJ
ject to Congressional limitation, a Gov
ernor appointed by the President. and
confirmed by the Senate, the chic Off
GERS appointed in like manner, and a
legislative council, composed OF the
chief officers of the State and minor
ity selected by the President by the
citizens of the island. The municipali-
ties are to be governed by Mayors and
Councils elected by them, with officers
subject to removal by the Governor. II
would be better to wait for a time be-
fore an elective Legislature is permit
ted. Suffrage should be limited to
those who read and write, or own a