The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-12-14


the purpose, thus declared. Our forces
have successfully controlled the great
er part Of the islands, overcoming the
orga nized forces Of the insurgents and
carrying order and administrat i've reg
ularity to all quarters. What opposi.
ton remains is, for the most part, scat
tered. Desiring to bring about q stable
administration 81 affairs as early as
pointed for that purpose the commits
sion headed by Judge Taft. This CONF
mission" says the president, "is COM
posed Of eminent citizens. representing
the diverse geographical and political
interests Of the country and bringing: to
its task the ripe fruits of long and In
tellieent service in educational, admin
istrative and judicial careers. has made
great progress form the outset. AS
early as Aug. 81. 1900. 1t submitted q
preliminary report; which. will be laid.
before congress, and from which 1t APP
pears that already the. good.effects OF
returning order are felt; that business,
Interrupted by hostilities. is improving
as peace extends; that a larger are.
is under sugar cultivation than ever
before; that the customs receipts are
greater than at any time during Span
ish rule; that economy and efficiency
in the military administration have
created a surplus fund lot s6,000000,
available for needed public improve
ments;, that stringent civil service
law is in preparation; that railroad
communications are expanding, open
ing up ITCH districts, and that CONF
prehensive system of education is be-
ing evolved. Later reports from the
commission show a yet more encour-
aging advance toward insuring the
benefits of liberty and good govern
ment to the Filipinos, in the interests
of humanity and with the aim of build
ing up an enduring, self-supportins
and self-administering community In
those Far Eastern seas"
IT have, upon another occasion"
continues the president. "called the
Filipinos the wards of the nation Our
obligation as guardian was not lightly
assumed: it must not be otherwise
than honestly fulfilled, aiming. first Of
ALL to benefit those who have come I'M
der 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 Mindan-
40 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 develop
ment."
"1%he civil government for Porto
gress approved April ~. 1900. is in sue
eel +o
president. The courts have been es-
tablished. The governor and his asso-
ciates. working intelligent]y and har-
moniously, are meeting with commend
able success. On the 9Th of November
a general election was held in the is
land for members of the legislature,
and the BODY elected has been called to
convene on the first Monday in Decem-
Der. He recommends that Legislation:
be enacted by the congress comforting
upon the secretary of the interior SUI
pervision over the public lands III Port
Rico"
1.-THE president renews his recon-
mendation rs to the necessity for cable
communication with Hawaii. with an
extension to Manila. The territorial
government Of Hawaii is in full onera-
ton. and conditions on the island are
highly satisfactory.
On the 25th day Of J-ly. 1900. the
president says, he directed that a call
be. issued for an election in Cuba for
members Of constitutional convention
to frame a constitution. as a basis for
stable and Independent government
in the island. The, election was held
on the 18th of September. and the con-
vention assembled on the 18th of No
vember. 1900, and is now in session.
When. the session concludes Its labors
the preside mt says ne. will transmit to
the congress the constitution as framed
by the convention, for its considera-
ton and for such action as 1t may
deem advisable. .. ~
The president next takes up the ques-
ton of an increase in the. army. On
this subject he says: 1.-THE present
strength Of the army ia 100000 mem
81. 1000 regulars and $4,000 volunteers.
Under the act OF March 2, 1899. on the
30th of June next, the present voluf-
teer force will be discharged. and the
regular army will be reduced to 2,4447
officers and 2Q.025 enlisted men. In
Porto Rico we have reduced the gar,
risons to 1886. which includes 1896 native
troops. There is no room for furthe!
reduction there We will be required to
keep considerable force in the Philip
pine islands for some time to. come
From the best information obtainable
we shall need there for the Immediate
future from $4,000 to $4,000 men,. am
sure the number may be reduced as the
insurgents shall come to acknowledge
fxt,.. ,,,tt,orSf1, NJ <ho United States. of
which there are assuring indications
II. must, be apparent that we will re-
quire an army OF about 1000. and that
during the. present conditions in Cuba
and. the philippines the president
should have authority TO increase the
force to the present number OF 100, 900
THE continued and rapid growth Of
the postal service" the presiden. says