The Washington weekly post., 1900-12-04

proving @s peace extends. fhaf a larger
area Is under sugar cultivation than
ever before. that the customs ssve-
nues are greater than at any time duTilg
the Spanish rule; that economy and eff
cheney in the military admiHistra ION
have created a surplus fund OF ss,oe1, ee
available for needed public improvements,
that stringent eivil-service law Is n
Preparation. that railroad communications
are expanding. opening up rich districts,
and that a comprehensive scheme of edu-
cation II being organized.
Later reports from the commission show
yet more encouraging advance toward ir-
suring the benefits OF liberty and coed
government TO the F1iipinos. In the inter
est Of humanity and with the aim OF
building up an enduring, self-suppOrting
and self-sdministering community IN
those far Eastern seas. would impress
upon the Congress that whatever legisla-
ton may be enacted ir respect to the
Philippine Islands should be along these
generous lines. The fortune OF war mas
thrown upon this nation an unsoGgh,
trust which should be unselhshly dis
charged, and devolyed upon this govern.
l,. Insnt ny moral as well as material resDol-
sibilty toward these millions whom We
nave freed from an oppressive yoSs.
4 nave on another occasion called the
Fllipinos THE wards OF the nation" Our
obligation as guardian was not lightly
assumed: u must not be otherwise than
honestly fulfilled. aiming first OF all 70
benefit those who have come under our
fostering care. 1T Is our duty so 10 treat
them that our flag may be no less beloved
In the mountains OF Luzon and the fertile
zones OF Mindanao and NegrOs than II IS
at home; that there, as here. II shall be
70 N NJ aaff "a
ment. and progress in every avenue Of
DEVELOPMENT
The Filipinos are a race quick 10 learn
and TO profit by knowledge He would be
rash who. with the teachings Of contem-
p0raneOus history IN view. would fix a
limit 20 the degree OF culture and ad-
vancement yet within the reach OF these
people II our duty toward them be faith
fully performed.
Porto Rice.
The civil government OF Porto Rico pro-
yided for by the act Of the Congress ap-
proved April u. 1850. is in successful op-
GRAFTON. The courts have been establish
ed. The governor and his associates,
working intelligently and harmonlously,
are meeting with commendable success.
On the 9th of November a general cleo
ton was held in the island for members
Of the legislature, and the body elected
has been called to convene on the first
Monday Of December.
/ recommend that legislation be enacted
by Congress comforting upon the Secre-
tary Of the Interior supervision over the
public lands in Porto Rico. and that he
be directed TO ascertain the location and
quantity Of lands the title TO which re-
manned in the crown Of Spain at the date
a
States. and that appropriations necessary
for surveys be made. and that the meth
DDS OF the disposition of such lands be
prescribed by law.
Cuba.
On the 18th of July, 1860, directed that
a call be issued for an election in Cuba
for members of a constitutional conven-
ton TO frame a constitution as a basis for
a stable and Independent government IN
the island In>pursuance thereof the mill
tary goveror issued the following instruc-
tiOns:.
Whereas the Congress Of the United States by
its joint resolution of April 90 1895 declared
" That the people Of the Island of Caba are,
and of right ought 10 be, free and independent.
" That the United States hereby diselaims any
disposition intention 10 exercise sovereignty,
Jurisdiction control said island except for
the pacihcation thereof and asserts its determna-
tiOn, when that is accomplished. to leave the gov
ernment and control Of the island to its people,
'And whereas the people Of Cuba have estab-
lished municipal governments. deriving their su-
thOrity from the sufrages Of the people given un-
der Just and equal laws, and are inow ready, in
like manner, to proceed TO the establishment of a
general government which shall assume and exer-
else sovereignty jurisdiction and control the
island:
Therefore. II Is ordered that a general election
be held in the Island of Cuba on the third Satur.
day Of September, in the year 1900 to elect dele.
gates TO a convention to meet in the city Of Ha-
yana. at y o'clock noon, on the first Monday Of
November in the year 1900, TO frame and adopt q
constitution for the people OF Cuba, and as a part
thereof to provide for and agree with the govern
ment of the United States upon the relations to
exist between that government and the government
of Cuba, and TO provide for the election by the
people OF officers under such constitution and the
transfer Of government to the officers so elec.ed
''The election will be held in the several voting
precincts of the island under and pursuant to.
the provisions Of the electoral law OF April is,
1900. and the amendments thereof"
The election was held on the 18th of
September. and the convention assem-
bled on the 9TH OF November, 1890. and 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 con-
yention TO order,
1T 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 "a
be the relations between Cuba and the United
States.
The constitution must be adequate TO secure a
stable. orderly and free government.
when you have formulated the relations which
in your opinion, ought to exist between Cuba and
the United States the government of the United
States will doubtless take such action on its part
as shall lead 10 final and authoritative agree
ment between the people Of the two countries 10
the promotion of their common interests.
"All friends OF Cuba will follow your aelibera-
tions with the deepest interest earnestly desiring
that you shall reach Just conclusions and ;hat by
the dignity, Individual sef-restraint and wise
conservatism which shall characterize your proceed
ngs the capacity of the Cuban people for -epresen
tative government may be sgnaIly illustrated
THE fundamental distinction between true rem
resentatye government and dictatorship is ,hat in
the former every representative of the people in
whatever once, confines himself strictly within
the limits of his defined powers. without sueh re.
strant there can be free constitutional coyera-
ment.
Under the order pursuant 10 which Won have
been elected and convened yod have no duty ana
no authority 70 take part in the present govern
ment of the island Your powers are strictly linn
tied by the terms Of that order"
When the convention concludes its Ia
hOrs l will transmit TO the Congress- the
Constitution as framed by the Convention
for its consideration and for such action
as IL may deem advisable.
Cable To Hawaii
l renew the recommendation made in
my special message of February 10 lSs9
as to the necessity for cable communica.
tion between the United States and Ha-
wall, with extension TO Manila. Since
then circumstances have strikingIy en-
phasized this need. Surveys have show n
the entire feasibility of a chain Of ca
bles which at each stopping place shal.
touch on American territory, so that the
system shall be under our own complete
control. Manila once within telegraphlc
reach, connection with the systems of the
Asiatic coast would open increased ana
profitable opportunities for more direct
"a BILE FOufR from aHr Sharac 40 sha D,.fars