Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-06
FUTURE GOVERNMENT OF ISLANDS
Rests with Congress, but the President
Opposes Granting Independence.

|
THE future government of the Phil
ippines rests with the congress of the
, United State. Few graVer RESPONSE
/ bilities have ever been cOnfded to US.
/ If we accept them in spirit worthy or
our race and our traditions great OPP
portunity comes with them. The ISL
ands lie under the shelter of our flag:
They are ours by every title of law ard
equity. They cannot be abandoned. II
we desert them we leave them at once
, to anarchy and finally to barbarlsm.
We fling them-a golden apple OF DIS
cord-among the rival powers, no one
of which could permit another to seize
them unquestioned. Their rich plains
and valleys would be the scene of end
less strife and bloodshed. The advent
of Deweys fleet in Manila bay, instead
of being-as we hoped-the dawn of
new day of freedom and progress, VIII
have been the beginning of an era of
misery and violence, worse than any
which has darkned their unhappy past.
The sugS eStion has been made that
we could renounce our authority over
the islands. and giving them inGepend-
ence could retain a protectorate over
them. This proposition VIII TOT be found,
| am sure, worthy OF your serious at
tention. Such an arrangement would
involve al the outset cruel preach %
faith. 1t would place the peaceable and
loyal majority-who ask nothing better
than to accept our authority-at the
mercy of the minority of armed lnsur-
gents. 1t would make US responsible
give us no power to control them. II
would charge us with the task of pro-
tecting them against each other and de-
Tending them against any foreign pow
er with which they chose to quarrel.
In short, il would take from the con-
gress of the United States the power OF
declaring war and vest that tremen-
dous prerogative in the Tagal leader
of the hour.
1T does not seem desirable that I
should recommend at this time Spe-
-r,,,% 60
these islands. When peace shall be re-
stored il will be the duty of congress
to construct a plan of government
which shall establish ard maintain free
dom and order and peace in the Phil
ippines. The insurrectfon is stin exist
ing. and when 1t terminates further in
formation will be required as to the
actual condition of affairs before in
augurating permanent scheme of civil
government. The full report of the COM
mission. EOw in preparation. VIII con-
tain information and suggestions which
will be of value to congress and which
7 will transmit as soon as it is COM
pleted. AS long as the insurrection
continues the military arm must nee
essarily be supreme. But there is no
reason why steps should not be taken
from time to time to inaugurate gov
ernments popular in their form as fast
as territory is held or controlled by
our troops. To this end I am consider
ing the advisability Of the return of the
commissioner of such members there
of as can be SecureO-tO alC the existing
authorities and facilitate this work
Throughout the islands. l have believed
that reconstruction should not begin by
the establishment of one civil govern
ment for all the islands. with its seat
at Manila. but rather that the work
should be commenced by building up
municipal governments and then pro-
vircial governments. central govern
ment at last to follow.
Until congress shall have made
known the formal expression of its will
I shall use the authority vested in me
by the constitution and the statutes to
uphold the sovereignty of the United
States in those distant islands, as in all
other places where our flag rightfully
floats I shall put at the disposal of the
army and navy all the means which the
liberaIity of congress and the people
have provided to cause this unprovoked
and wasteful insurrection to cease. If
any orders Of mine were required TO in
sure the merciful corduct of military
and naval operations they would not be
lacking; but every step of the progress
Of our troops has been marked by a
humanity which has surprised even the
misguided insurgents The truest
Kindness to them will be a swift and
The hour Of victory viii be the hour
OF clemecy and reconstruction.
NO effort will be spared to build up
the waste places desoIated by war and
by long years of misgovernment We
shall not wait for the end of strife tn
begin the benefcient work. We shall
continue. as we have begun, TO open the
schools ard the churches. TO set courts
in operation. to foster industry and
way in our power to make these people
whom Providence has brought within
our Jurisdiction feel that # is their lib
erty and out our power. their welfare
and out our gain. we are seeking TO en-
hance. Our flag has never waved over
any community but IN blessing. ] be
lieve the F'iliripos Will soon recognize
the fact that II has not lost its gift of |
benediction in its worldwide journey to |
their shores"
The Sulu islands are referred to as |
having accepted our authority The
provision in the agreement with TIE
sultan permitting the existence of slay- |
cry in those islands, as well. in fact, as |