The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-12-11


the United States in the Philippines
as in all other places where our flag
rightfully floats, but advocates fair
dealing. 1.-THE fortune of war has
thrown upon this nation an unsought
trust which should be unselfshly
discharged, and devolved upon this
government a moral as we'll as ma
terial responsibility toward these
millions whom we haze freed from
an oppressive yoke.
Il have on another occasion
called the Filipinos the wards of the
nation Our obligation as guardian
was not lightly assumed; it must
not be otherwise than honestly FIJI
filed. Aiming first of all to benefit
those who have come under our fos-
tering care, it 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 Mindanao
and Negros than it is at home, that
there as here it shall be the revered
symbol of liberty, enlightenment,
and progress in every avenue of de
velopment.
The Filipinos T d race quick to
learn and to profit by knowledge.
would be rash who, with the
teachings of contemporaneous his
tory in view would fix a limit to
the degree of culture and advance
ment yet within the reach of these
people if our duty toward them be
faithfully performed"
AN ARMY OF 1OO,O G0 MEN Urged.
The present strength of the army
is 100, 900 men-65,O 900 regulars and
35, 900 volunteers. Under the act of
March 2, 1899, on the 3Oth of June
next the present volunteer force
will be discharged and the regular
army will be reduced to 2,447 off
GERS and 90, OPS enlisted men.
There ale fifty eight or more mil
1OdIJ pOSGS III UuO OAlCCu OGdtOo
other than the eoast-defense fortif-
cations.
'FThe number of these posts Is being
constantly increased by the Congress.
More than $22, 900, 600 have been ex
pended 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
&c, 900 troops. Many of these posts
are along our frontier OF at impor-
strategic points, the occupation
Of which is necessary.
1--WE have in Cuba between 5000
and 5000 troops. For the present
our troops in that. island cannot be
or materially diminished,
and certainly not until the conclu-
sion of the labOrs of the cOnstitu-
convention now in session and
L government provided by the new
constitution shall have been estab-
ished and it's stability assured.
I'm Porto Rico we have reduced
he garrisons to 1885, which in
,ludes 879 native troops. There l.
10 room for further reduction here
1--WE will be required to keep d
considerable force in the Philippines
or some time to come. From the
,est information obtainable we will
iced there for the immediate future
rom As, 900 to 10000 men. l am
the number may be reduced as
he insurgents shall come to acknowl-
the authority of the United
states, of which there are assuring
ut must be apparent that we will
an army of about 6 $1,000. anu
hat during present conditions in
cuba and the Philippines the Presi
lent should have authority TO in
;rease the force to the present mum
,er of 100, 900. Included in this mum
,er authority should be given to
,aise native troops in the Philip
zines up to $4,000, which the TAFT
commission believe will be more
in detecting and suppress
guerrillas, assassins, andladrOnes
han our own soldiers.
HE SUCCESS OF RURAL FREE DELIVERY.
The continued5and rapid growth
f the postal service is a sur index
f the great and increasing business
ctivity of the country. Its most
triking new development is the ex