Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1900-12-13


charged and devolved upon this govern
ment a moral as well as material respon-
sbility toward these millions whom we
have freed from an oppressive yoke.
l 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 Mindanao 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 view, would fix
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
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 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.
I ho+ ri 10
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 10Th of July, 1900, l directed
that call be issued for an election in
Cuba for members of a constitutional
convention to frame a constitution as
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
When the convention concludes it's la
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. 10, 1899, as
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
100, 900 men-65, 600 regulars and $4,000
volunteers. Under the act of March 2,
1899, on the Both of June next the pres
ent volunteer force will be discharged,
and the regular army will be reduced to
2, AL officers and 29025 enlisted men.
We have in Cuba between 5000 and
5000 troops. Fer the present our troops
in that island cannot be withdrawn or
materially diminished and certainly not
until the conclusion of the labors of the
convention now in session
and government provided by the new
shall have been established
and it's stability assured.
In Porto Rico we have reduced the
garrisons to 1885, which includes S79
native troops. There is no room for fur
ther reduction here.
We will be required to keep eonsid-
cradle force in the Philippine Islands for
some time to come. From the best infor-
nation obtainable we will need there for
the immediate future from $4,000 to
10000 men. I am sure the number may
be reduced as the insurgents shall come
to acknowledge the authority of the Unit
ed States, of which there are assuring in
dications
1t must be apparent that we will re-
quire an army Of about 10000 aid that
during present conditions in Cuba and
the Philippines the president should have
authority to increase the force to the
present number Of 100000. Included in
this number authority should be given to
raise native troops in the Philippines up
to $4,000, which the Taft commission be-
leves will be more effective in detecting
and suppressing guerrillas, assassins and
ladrones than our own soldiers.
l favor the recommendation Of the sec
rotary of war for the detail Of officers
from the line of the army when vacancies
occur in the adjutant generals depart
ment, inspector generals department,
quartermaster's department, subsistence
department, pay department, ordnance
department and signal corps.
The president speaks of the rapid
growth of the postal service and approves
the recommendations Of the secretary of
the navy for new vessels and for more
officers and men. The pension roll shows
net increase of 2,O1O names. Action is
recommended in the way of increasing
the number of schools in Alaska. Prog.
ress is noted in the educational, agricul-
tural and railroad development of the
Hawaiian Islands. The president in
connection with labor says:
In my annual message Of Dec. 8, 1893,
called attention to the necessity for
some amendment of the alien contract
law. There still remain important fea-
lures Of the rightful application Of the
eight hour law for the benefit of labor
and of the principle Of arbitration, and 1
again commend these subjects to the
careful attention of the congress.
Civil Service.
The civil service commission is greatly
embarrassed in its work for want of an
adequate permanent force for clerical
and other assistance.
Its needs are fully set forth in it's re-
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