The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-06

that the future Of Cuba is full of bright
promise and rich reward for them. The
President in some detail enters into ex-
| plantations of what has been done in
Cuba, what relief has been given to the
suffering. the state of the revenues of
the island, the disarmament of the
Cuban volunteer army, etc.
Considerable attention is given to OUR
issue with Turkey regarding recogni-
| ton of American naturalization. the
payment of just claims we have pre-
ferred against the Porte, and touch
ing Turkish discrimination against
American products. The Presidents
| tone in reference to Turkey is one of
| annoyance, and indicates a desire that
issues with that country be brought to
a head.
In treating the Philippine question
the President gives us the history of
the war in the archipelago in nut
shell, and exposes certain facts which
nave not before been understood, one
| of which is the monstrous massacre
and determination of foreigners along
with Americans, plotted by the rebels
and to be carried out on a given date
last spring. He disposes with empha-
sis and in language susceptible of no
Misrepresentation, of the story that
Aguina1do was ever promised independ-
| ence or recognition, and declares that
the alleged pledge and promise were
disproved before the Philippine Com
mission, by the very witnesses called
to establish it.
He gives in short. sharp sentences,
the history of the war with the in
surgents and Of our acquisition of the
islands, and AYERS that the establish
ment of our sovereignty there was in
accordance with the wishes of the
great mass of the Filipino people.
Every possible precaution was taken
to prevent friction and conflict with the
that effect the President recites, like
wise the proclamations to the people
setting forth why we had entered the
islands and for what purpose, namely,
| broaden liberty and better every inter-
est of the people, affording them free
dom and benefits such as they had
| never known.
The President quotes literally from
the report Of the Philippine Commission,
several columns of which report ap-
peared in these columns on the Sd of
| November. Upon the evidence before
of the nation in acquiring the Philip
pines, in holding them and in crushing
| the insurrection, now on it's last legs.
| He points out that reconstruction has
as, for instance, in Negroes, the form of
temporary government there being
rather minutely described and at length.
1t is gathered that the President is of
the opinion that this same form is suit,
able for the most. if not all. the other
I9islands of the group
! He explains that in the Sulus we
have succeeded to whatever rights
the islands have acceded to the change.
! By this means we secure the allegiance
and allyship of the Sultan of Sulu in
l'suppressing piracy, advancing trade
has been made in the freeing of Sulu
slaves by a provision that any slave
may purchase his freedom by paying
| the market value, but it is specified
that the Government of the United
States in no way recognizes the right
.of slavery or of its continuance. The
agreement is temporary, and is sub
mitted to Congress for it's action
The President scouts the idea of
abandoning the Philippines. He vigor-
ously declares that they are ours in JUS
tice. by every title of law and equity,
and must not be yielded to another.
If we leave them we abandon them to
anarchy and finally to barbarism. They
must not be made an apple of discord
for the striving of other nations, no one
of which could permit another to seize
them unquestioned.
| The President disposes of the sugges-
ton OF protectorate over the islands
with independence to their people, as
unworthy consideration, as it would in
volve a cruel breach of faith, make us
responsible for the acts Of the insur-
gent leaders and give US no control over
them. 1t would place the peaceabIe
and loyal majority at the mercy Of
armed rebels, and would charge US with
the task of protecting the Insurgents
against each other and defending them
in any quarrel they might choose to
have with any foreign power.
The President calls upon Congress to
construct plan of government for the
Philippines to become effective as soon
as peace is restored, in the meanwhile
the military arm must remain supreme.
In language at once eloquent and con-
vincing the President justifies the
course of the Government towards the
Philippines generally and sets forth it's
merciful, kindly and civilizing pur-
poses. .
or the Hawaiian Islands and needed
laws relating to that possession; of
Alaska and legislation essential for it's
welfare, and of Porto Rico and her
needs the message is clear and refers
/