Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-04

GU upon .tniS government moral as
we'll as material responsibility toward
these millions whom we have freed
from an oppressive yoke.
have on another occasion called the
Filipinos "the wards of the nation"
Our obligation as guardian was not
lightly assumed; 1t must not be other
wise than honestly fulfilled, aiming
first OF all to benefit those who have
come under our fostering care. It Is
our duty 50 to treat them that our flag
may be no less beloved in the noun
tains of Luzon and the fertile zones
OF Mindanao and Negroes than 1t is at
home, that there as here 1t shall be the
revered symbol of liberty. enlighten-
ment, and progress in every avenue OF
development.
The Filipinos are q race quick to
learn and to profit by knowledge. He
would be rash who. with the teachings
OF contemporaneous history in view,
would fix limit to the degree Of Gull
ture and advancement yet within the
reach of these people IL our duty to-
ward them be faithfully performed.
PORTO RICO.
The civil government OF Porto Rico
provided for by the act of the Con-
gress. approved April 20. 1900, is in sue
cessful operation. The courts have
been established. The governor and
his associates. working intellIgently
ano narmon1ouSly, are meeting WITH
commendable success.
On the 9Th of November q general
election was held In the island for
members Of the legislature, and the
body elected has been called to con-
vene on the first Monday of December.
l recommend that legislation be en-
acted by the Congress comforting upon
the Secretary of the Interior supervi-
sion over the public lands in Porto
Rico. and that he be directed to ascer-
tain the location and quantity of lands,
the title to which remained in the
crown of Spain at the date of cession
of Porto Rico to the United States,
surveys be made. and that the methods
of the disposition or such lands be
prescribed by law.
CUBA.
The President refers to Cuban affairs
briefly. After citing the fact that a
constitutional convention, elected by
the people of the island. is in session,
he concludes as follows:
When the convention concludes it's
labors I will transmit to the Congress
the constitution as framed by the con-
vention for its consideration and for
such action as 1t may deem advisable.
HAWAII.
renew the Recommendation made in
my special message of February 10,
1899. as to the necessity for cable COM
munication between the United States
and Hawaii, with extension to Manila.
Since then circumstances have strik
ingly emphasized this need. Surveys
have shown the entire feasibility of n
chain of cables which at each stopping
place shall touch on American terri
tory, so that the system shall be under
our own complete control. Manila,
once within Geographic reach, connec
tion with the systems of the Asiatic
coast would open increased and profit
able opportunities for n more direct
cable route from our shores to the
Orient than is now afforded by the
transatlantic and trans-Asian lines. 1
urge attention to this important mat
ter.
A STANDING ARMY.
The present strength OF the army is
900 men--65.o00 regulars and $4,000
volunteers. Under the act of March Q.
1899, on the Goth of June next the pres
ent volunteer force Will be discharged
and the regular army will be reduced
to 2.447 officers and 29.o25 enlisted men.
We have in Cuba between 5000 and
5000 troops. For the present our troops
in that island cannot be withdrawn or
materially diminished, and certainly
not until the conclusion of the labors of
the constitutional convention now in
session and a government provided by
the constitution shall have been estab-
lished and it's stability assured.
In Porto Rico we have reduced the
garrsons to 1,636, which includes S79
native troops. There is room for fur
Their reduction here.
We will be required to keep consid-
cradle force in the Philippine islands
for some time to come. From the best
information obtainable we Will need
there for the immediate future from
$4,000 to $4,000 men. am sure the num-
Der may be reduced as the insurgents
shall come to acknowledge the author
ity OF the United States, of which there
are assuring Indications.
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 the present number of 100000. In
cluded in this number authority should
be given to raise native troops in the
Philippines up to $4,000. which the Taft
commission believe will be more effec-
tive in detecting and suppressing guer-
rillas, assassins. and ladrones than our
own soldiers.
The full discussion of this subject
by the secretary of war in his annual
report is called to your earnest atten-
ton.
LYNCHING.
In my inaugural address 1 referred
to the general subject of lynching in
these words:
Lynching must not be tolerated in a
great and civilized country like the
United States; courts, not mobS, must
execute the penalties of the law. The
preservation of public order. the right
of discussion. the integrity OF courts,
and the orderly administration of JUS
tice must continue forever the rock Of
safety upon which our government Sc
curely rests