Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-12-04
tion and tine institution or local govern
ments within the lines of authority and

ments within the lines of authority and
law.
Progress in the hoped for direction has
| been favorable. Our forces have success
fully controlled the greater part Of the
islands, overcoming the organized forces
of insurgents and carrying order and adj
illustrative regularity to all quarters.
What opposition remains is for the most
part scattered, obeying no concerted plan
OF strategic action, operating only by
methods common to the traditions of
guerrilla warfare, which, while ineffect-
i've to alter the general control now es-
| tablished, are still sufficient to beget in
security among the populations that have
felt the good results of our control and
| thus delay the conferment upon them Of
the fuller measures of local self govern
ment, of education and of industrial and
agricultural development which we stand
ready to give to them.
BY the spring of this year the effective
opposition Of the dissatisfied Tagals to
the authority of the United States was
virtually ended, thus opening the door
for the extension of a stable administra-
ton over much of the territory of the
archipelago.
The president then speaks of the ap-
pointment of the Philippine commission
and his instructions to that body. He
continues.
Coincidently with the entrance of the
commission upon its labors l caused to
be issued by General Macarthur, the
military governor of the Philippines or
June p, 1900, a proclamation of amnesty
in generous terms. of which many of the
insurgents took advantage, among them
a number of important leaders.
The Commission's Reports.
This commission, composed of eminent
citizens representing the diverse geo.
graphical and political interests of the
country and bringing to their task the
ripe fruits of long and intelligent service
in educational, administrative and judi
cial careers, made great progress from
the outset. As early as Aug. q. 1900, it
submitted a preliminary report, which
will be laid before the congress and from
which it appears that already the good
effects Of returning order are felt; that
business, interrupted by hostilities, is i'm
proving as peace extends; that. a larger
area is undex sugar cultivation than ever
before, that the customs avenues are
greater than at any time during the Span
ISL Iulc, Iuul eCOlOuuy duu CLIIlCnCy III
the military administration have created
a surplus fund of $6,OOO,00O available
for needed public improvements, that a
stringent civil service law is in prepara-
ton, that railroad communications are
expanding, opening up rich districts, and
that q comprehensive scheme of educa-
ton is being organized.
Later reports from the commission
show yet more encouraging advance to-
ward insuriny the benefits Of liberty and
good government to the Filipinos in the
interest of humanity and with the ain, of
building up an enduring, self supporting
and self administering community in
those far eastern seas. l would impress
upon the congress that whatever legisla-
ton may be enacted in respect to the
Philippine Islands should be along these
generous lines. The fortune of wal has
thrown upon this nation an unsought
trust which should be unselfishly dis
charged and devo4ved upon this govern
ment a moral as well as material respon-
sibility toward these millions whom we
have freed from an oppressive yoke.
I have on another occasion called the
Filipinos the wards of the nation" Our
obligation as guardian was not lightly as
sumed. 1t must not be otherwise than
honestly fulfilled, aiming first of all to
benefit those who have come under our
fostering care. 1t is our duty so to treat
them that our flag may be no less beloved
In the mountains of Luzon and the fertile
zones of MiLdanao and Negros than it is
at home; that there, as here, it shall be
the revered Symbol of liberty, enlighten-
ment and progress in every avenue Of
development.
The Filipinos are a race quick to learn
and to profit by knowledge. He would
be rash who, with the teachings of CON
temporaneous history in vNA, would fix
a limit to the degree of culture and ad'
vancement yet within the reach of these
people if our duty toward them be faith
fully performed.
Porto Rico and Cuba.
The civil government of Porto Rico
provided for by the act of the congress
approved April II, 1900, is in successful
operation. The courts have been estab-
lished. The governor and his associates,
working intelligently and tremendously,
are meeting with commendable success.
On the 9th of November II general cleo
ton was held in the island for members
VI Liz CbiSlululcs dAu lHC DUuS lCNlC
has been called to convene ON the first
Monday of December. .s.
l recommend that legislation be enact.
ed by the congress comforting upon the
secretary Of the interior supervision ovei
the public lands in Porto Rico, and that
he be directed to ascertain the location
apd quantity of lands the title to which
Onained in the crown of Spain at the
date Of cession of Porto Rico to the Unit
ed States, and that appropriations neces.
sary for surveys be made, and that the
methods of the disposition Of such lands
be prescribed by law.
On the 25th of July. 1900, I directed
that a call be issued for an election in
Cuba for members of a constitutional
convention to frame a constitution as q
basis for a stable and Independent gov.
eminent in the island. The election was
held on the 18th of September, and the
convention assembled on the 9th of No
vember, 1900, and is now in session.
When the convention concludes it's Ia
bors, l will transmit to the congress the
constitution as framed by the convention
for its consideration and for such action
as it may deem advisable.
l renew the recommendation made in
my special message of Feb. 1O, 1S99. us
to the necessity for cable communication
between the United States and Hawaii,
with extension to Manila.
The Army.
The present strength of the army is
100000 men-6o,O0O regulars and $4,000
volunteers. Under the act of March =.
1899, on the Both of June next the pres.
ent volunteer force will be discharged,
and the regular army will be reduced tC