Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-12-14
THE. PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Cuba, however, must be a reality, no
a name. A loosely-framed common
wealth is not to be turned adrift tt
face the vicissitudes of weaker states
but wise preparation must be made
for eventual self-government of re.
sponsible character
In the Turkish empire the situation
of our citizens remains unsatisfactory
and claims of many years standing
have not yet been collected, though
our government is hopeful in this re.
gard
Attention is called to the arrange.
ments made for collecting official and
economic data under the international
union of American republics and also
to the commercial museum of Phila-
delphia in furtherance of this idea and
the Pan-American exposition of 1901
on the Niagara frontier.
The president gives a resume OF the
Hague conference and its results in
the amelioration of the laws and Gus
toms of war and says that the historic
position of the United States as to en-
tanglements with foreign nations was
duly observed.
In regard to the army, especially in
the Philippines, the message gives fig
ures and facts showing the actual
number returned. etc. Mr.. Mckinley
recommends special medal of honor
for volunteers, regulars, sailors and
marines on duty in the Philippines
who remained in service after their
terms of enlistment expired. The total
number of troops now in the Philip
pines and those on the way comprise
2,O51 officers and 63,483 men. The de-
velopment of the Postal system in
Porto Rico and the Philippines is stat
ed to have been rapid and successful
and to be growing with extraordinary
popularity in the domestic service or
in the United States proper. AS to the
navy high praise is given it for its
efficiency and recommendations are
made for necessary legislation and aid
in the matter of naval construction as
suggested by the secretary of the navy.
The statements of the message as to
the future of the Philippines are clear
and unequivocal. The rebellion must
be put down and civil government re-
stored. Free public schools must be
established and the burden of gov
eminent equally distributed. Already
hundreds of schools are open and
| filled with children. Religious free
dom is sacredly assured and enjoyed
The courts are dispensing justice and
business is beginning to circulate in
it's accustomed channels. The future
government of the islands rests with
the congress of the United States. and
the president adds that a few graver
responsibilities have ever been confided
to us. If we accept them in a spirit
worthy our race and traditions a great
opportunity comes with them. The
islands lie under our flag. They are
ours by every title of law and equity.
They cannot be abandoned. If we de-
sert them we leave them at once to
anarchy and finally to barbarism. No
specific or final form of government
! for the islands is recommended. When
! peace Is restored it will be the duty
of congress to construct plan of gov
eminent which shall establish free
dom and order in the Philippines. I'm
til congress makes known the final eX-
preston Of it's will the president must
use the authority vested in him to up
hold the sovereignty of the United
States in the islands. When the in
surrection ends it will be, the hour Of
peace and clemency.
The text of the message, referring to
the Philippines, is in full:
On Dec. 10. 1898. the treaty of peace be-
! tween the United States and Spain was
| signed. 1t provided. among other things.
| that Spain should cede to the United
States the archipelago known as the Phil
| ippine islands, that the United States
should pay to Spain the sum of $780,
OoC,0O0. 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 9Th of February 1899,
and by the government of Spain on
| March 10 following. The Publications
were exchanged on April II. and the
treaty publicly proclaimed. On March 2
the congress voted the sum contemplated
| by the treaty and the amount was paid
over to the Spanish government on May
LIST.
In this manner the Philippines came to
| the United States. The islands were ced-
ed by the government of Spain. which
had been in undisputed possession of them
| for centuries. They were accepted not
merely by our authorized commissioners
in Paris, under the direction of the ex-
| ecutive, but by the constitutional and
| well-considered action Of the representa-
tives of the people of the United States
in both houses Of congress. had every
reason to believe. and | still believe, that
| this transfer of sovereignty was in ac-
cordance with the wishes and the aspir-
| atoms 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 possible to
advance their interests. In my order of
the 18th of May. 1885, the commander
of the military expedition dispatched to
the Philippines was instructed to declare
that we came not to make war upon the
people of that country. nor upon any
party or faction among them, but to pro-
tect them in their homes, in their en-
Payments and in their personal and re-
ligious rights" That there should be
no doubt as to the paramount authority
there. on the 18th OF August 1t was d.
rected that there must be no joint oc-
cupation with the Insurgents" that the
United States must preserve the peace
and protect persons and property within
the territory occupied by their military
and naval forces: that the insurgents
and all others must recognize the mill
tary occupation and authority of the
United States. AS early as December 4.
before the cesslon, and in anticipation
| of that event the commander in Manila