The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-12-04

I from eacn other.
''The articles Of capitulation OF the
city OF Manila on the 18th of August,
1893. concluded with these words:
This city. its inhabitants, it's church.
es and religious worship, its educational
establishments, and its private property
/ of all descriptions, are placed under the
/ special safeguard Of the faith and honor
, of the American Army
II believe that this pledge has been
faithfully kept. As high and sacred an
obligation rests upon the Government of
the United States to give protection for
property and life. civil and religious free
dom, and wise, firm. and unselhsb guild
ance in the paths OF peace and prosperity
to all the people of the Philippine Is
lands. / charge this Commission to la
Dor for the full performance of this 0bli-
CATION, which concerns the honor and
conscience OF their country, in the firm
hope that through their labors all the in
I habitants of the Philippine Islands may
, come to look back with gratitude to the
day when God gave victory to American
arms at Manila and set their land under
/ the sovereignty and the protection of the
! people of the United States
Coincidently with the entrance Of the
! Commission upon its labors l caused TO
I
Military Governor of the Philippines. on
June 81, 1900, proclamation of amnesty
in generous terms, of which many OF the
insurgents took advantage, among them
a number of important leaders.
! This Commission, composed OF eminent
I 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 ju-
dicial careers, made great progress from
= the outset. As early as August 81, 1900,
| IL submitted 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, 10 i'm
proving as peace extends; that larger
area Is under sugar cultivation than ever
before: that the customs revenues are
greater than at any time during the
Spanish rule: that economy and efficiency
in the military administration have ere
ated a surplus fund of $6.000,000, avail
1 able for needed public improvements;
! that stringent civil-service law is in
preparation: that railroad eommunica-
tons are expanding, opening up rich dis
tricts. and that a comprehensive scheme
, of education Is being organized.
Later reports from the Commission
show yet more encouraging advance to-
ward insuring the benefits Of liberty and
good government to the Filipinos, In the
interest of humanity and with the aim OF
building up an enduring. seif-supporting,
and self-administering community in
those far eastern seas. / 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 war has
thrown upon this nation an unsought
trust which should be unselishiy dis
charged, and devolved upon this Govern
ment a moral as well as material respon-
sibility 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: it must not be otherwise than
honestly fulfilled aiming first of all TO
: benefit those who have come under our
fostering care. II 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 develop
ment.
The Filipinos are race quick to learn
and to profit by knowledge. He would be
rash who, with the teachings OF contem-
poraneous history in view, would hx
limit to the degree of culture and adj
vancement yet within the reach of these
people If our duty toward them be faith
fully performed.
The civil government Of Porto Rico
h. NrE,aF Hsclgfa
approved April u. 1900. is in successful
operation. The courts have been estab-
lished. The Governor and his associates,
working intelligentIy and tremendously,
are meeting with commendable success.
On the 9th of November a general cleo
tion was held in the island for members
of fbe Legislature, and the body elected
has been called TO convene on the first
Monday of December.
recommend that legislation be enact
ed by the Congress comforting upon the
Secretary 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
remained 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, l directed
that a call be issued for an election in
Cuba for members of a constitutional
convention to frame a constitution as a
basis for stable and Independent gov
eminent in the island. In pursuance
thereof the Military Governor issued the
following instructions:
| "Whereas the Congress Of the United
States by its joint resolution of April 20.
1898, declared
! THAT the people of the island of Cuba
are. and of right ought to be, free and M
dependent.
) THAT the United States hereby dis
claims any disposition or intention to ex-
ercise sovereignty, jurisdiction. or con-
troll over said island except for the paeiti-
. cation thereof, and asserts its determina-
ton, when that is accomplished, to leave
1 the government and control Of the island