The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-12-04

ueQts tuefeOl.
The slactiop was held on the 18th Of
September and the convention assem-
bled on the 9TH Of November, 1000, aud
Is now In session.
In calling the convention to order, the
Military Governor Of Cuba made the fol-
lowing statement:
"As Military Governor Of the island,
representing the President of the United
States, call this convention to order.
ut will be your duty, first, to frame
and adopt a constitution for Cuba, and
when that has been done to formulate
what in your opinion ought to be the re-
lations between Cuba and the United
States.
"Thc constitution must be adequate to
secure a stable orderly, and free govern
mcnt.
IS when You have formulated the rela-
tons which in your opinion ought to ex-
list between Cuba and the United States
the Government of the United States will
doubtless take such action on its part as
shall lead to final and authoritative
agreement between the people of the two
countries to the promotion of their COM
mon interests.
"An friends Of Cuba will follow your
deliberations with the deepest interest,
earnestly desiring that you shall reach
Just conclusions, and that by the dignity,
individual self-restraint and wise con-
servntsm which shall characterize your
proceedings the capacity of the Cuban
people for representative government
may be signally illustrated.
"The fundamental distinction between
true representative government and die
tatorship is that in the former every rep
resentative of the people, in whatever Of
fee confines himself strictly within the
limits Of his defined powers Without
such restraint there can be no free CON
stitutional government.
Under the order pursuant to which
you have been elected and convened you
have no duty and no authority TO take
part in the present government of the
island. Your powers are strictly limited
by the terms Of that order"
When the convention concludes its Ia
bors will transmit TO the Congress the
constitution as framed by the convention
for its consideration and for such action
as it may deem advisable.
renew the recommendation made IN
my Special Message of February 10.
1899. as to the necessity for cable COM
munication between the United States
Since then circumstances have strikingly
or h hasized this need. Surveys have
shown the entire feasibility of a chain of
cables which at each stopping place shall
touch on American territory, so that the
system shall be under our own complete
control. Manila once within Geographic
reach. connection with the systems of the
Asintic coast would open increased and
profitable opportunities for more direct
cable route from our shores to the Orient
than is now afforded by the trans-Atlan-
tic, continental, ard trans-Asian lines.
urge attention TO this important matter.
The present strength of the Army is
100000 men-95, 900 regulars and $4,000
volunteers. Under the act of March z,
1899, on the Both of June next the pres
cnt volunteer force will be discharged
and the Regular Army will be reduced to
2,447 officers and 29,025 enlisted men.
In 1883 Board of Officers convened
by President Cleveland adopted COM
piehensiye scheme of coast-defense forth
tications, which involved the outlay of
somethiAs over one hundred million dol
lars. This plan received the approval of
the Congress, and since then regular APP
propIiations have been made and the
work of fortifcation has steadily pro-
crossed.
More than sixty millions of dollars have
been invested in a great number of forts
and guns, with all the complicated and
scientific machinery and electrical appli-
anccs necessary for their use. The prop
er care of this defensive machinery re-
uuircs men trained in its use. The num-
Der of men necessary to perform this
duty alone is ascertained by the War De
partment at minimum allowance, to be
1920.
There are fifty or more military
posts in the United States other than the
coast-dcfense Notifications.
The number Of these posts is being con-
stantly increased by the Congress. More
than 500 100000 have been expended in
building and equipment, and they can
only be cared for by the Regular Army.
The posts now in existence and others to
be built provide for accommodations for.
and if fully garrisoned require, 10000
troops. Many of these posts are along
our frontier or at important strategic
points the occupation of which is neces
sary.
We have in Cuba between 5000 and
5000 troops. For the present our troops
in that island can not be withdrawn or
materially diminished, and certainly not
until the conclusion of the labors of the
constitutional convention now in session
and government provided by the new
constitution shall have been established
and its stability assured.
In Porto Rico we have reduced the gar /
risons 20 1876. which includes $40 native |
troops There is no room for further re-
duction here,
We viii be required TO keep a consid- |
cradle force in the Philippine Islands for |
some time TO come. From the best in |
formation obtainable we will need there
for the immediate future from $4,000 to |
10000 men. l am sure the number may |
be reduced ms the insurgents shall come to |
acknowledge the authority of the United |
States, of which there are assuring indi- |
cations.
1t must be apparent that we will re-
quire an army of about 60,000. and |
that during present conditions in Cuba
and the Philippines the President should /
have authority to increase the force to
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