The Washington weekly post., 1900-04-03

the formal and solemn method for COM
uunicating with Congress sanctioned by
the Constitution and usage. that our
plain duty is to abolish the customs tarin
between the United States and Porto
Rice
The people know that sentence by
heart Mr. President and they will repeat
Ii millions Cf times within the year from
its deiiverarCs unless We perform what
the President says is our plain duty
The people believe that this Is a question
OF princfpie and not OF mere policy. as the
Secretary of War evidently did when ne
said in his annual report, The highest
considerations OF justice and good faith
demand that we should not disappotnt the
confident expectation OF sharing IN our
prosperity with which the people OF Porto
Rico so gladly transferred their allegiance
10 the United States.
Are the highest considerations OF jus
tice and good faith matters OF principle,
or simply OF policyR II we fail 10 do 50,
the people will answer this question cor
rectly Have these. our highest officials
in charge OF our administration OF the
affairs OF this island. changed their minds
Certainly not, BY any information OF
which We can take coSnizancs-
The Constitution says that the PrcSi-
dent SElll from time To time recommend
to the consideration Of Congress such
n saslIres as he shall judge necessary and
expedient' He has told US in this con-
duty.' and. Mr.. President. while that
statement stands a. his solemn judgment.
officially made known TO US. l propose 10
do my plain duty as he stated IL and as
see II.
Gen. Miles Proclamation.
Upon the question OF good faith. ask
the Secretary to read the proclamation OF
Gen. Miles to the inhabitants OF Porto
Rico when he landed on that Island"
The Secretary read as follows:
Headquarters Of the Army.
Pouce. Porto Rico July s 1885
To the Inhabitants Of Porto Rico.
In the prosecution OF the var against tae ling
dom OF Spain BY the people OF the United States iE
the cause OF liberty justice, and humanity It's Mill
tary forces have come occupy the island o' Porto
Rico. They cone bearing the banner OF freSdOn
inspired BY a noble purpose TO seek the enemies Of
orr coIntry and yours and TO destroy or capture
all who are in armed resistance.
They bring YOU the fostering arm OF a nation Of
free people whose greatest power is in is justice
and humanity TO all those living within its fold.
Hence the first effect Of this occupation will be the
immediate release from your former political rsla-
tions and it is hoped cheerful acceptance Of the
government OF the United States The chief object
OF the American military forces will be 20 over
throw the armed authority Of Spain and 10 give
measure OF Iibe.ty consistent with this military
occupation.
We have not come 10 make upon the people
u country that for centuries has beer oppressed
but. OF the contrary. 20 bring you protection. not
only yourselves but 20 y0ur property. 10 promote
your prosperity and bestOw upon YOU the immuni-
ties and blessings Of the liberal Institutions of
government 1t is not purpose to interfere With
any existing laws and customs that are Wholesome
ard beneficial to your people long they con-
form to the rules OF military administration OF or
der and justice. This is rot war OF devastation.
tut 10 give to all within the control Of its
military and naval forces the advantages and bItss
ings Of enlightened civilization.
NELSON A. MILES,
Major General. Commanding United States Army.
when they are taxed this Is per cent
on their trade with us. will they not ap-
rreciate at its proper value our promise 20
bestow upon them the immunities and
blessings of the liberal institutions of our
government?
II also ask the Secretary to read the
letter OF President Schurman, who has had
rare opportunity as a member of the late
and president of the new Philippine COM
mission 10 Judge of the effect of such leg
lslduOn. He writes to a personal friend.
Letter of President Schurman.
Dear Sir: agree with you that the United States
island Of Porto Rico But cannot accept your con
tcnton that this obligation is derived from the Con
stitutiOn which. in my Judgment. does not OF its
own force apply to aunexed territories The Obga-
ton is moral, not constitutional As the President
said, with equal truth and felicity, IL is "our plain
duty
We are bound to this course By solemn promises
The supreme and irresistible reason for removing all
customs barriers between the United States and
Porto Rico is the promise made by Gen. Miles. When
first landing American forces on the island that tho
Porto Ricans should enjoy the same rights privi-
leges, and immunities the people OF the United
States. On this understanding the Porto Ricans sc
cepted American sovereignty. not only without op-
position. but with joyful trust and confidence.
The present Issue is simply this: Shall We repu-
date. shall fuInl the national engagements?
Shall this republic break faith with the little
island Of Porto Rico? Having secured the fruits Of
Gen Miles promise. shall We now renOunce the
promise?
The American people will not tolerate any falte--
ing with solemn obligations Recognizing the na-
tonal good faith the nations chiefest sood they
will condemn any violation Of II as the blsckest
crime.
All over the country this Porto Rican question has
stirred to the deepest the national heart and con
science; legislation. Inspired by breach Of good
faith. will bring terrible Nemesis II is sild that
tariff is needed between Porto Rico and the United
States to provide for the courts to determine
the extent Of our jurisdiction over the new depend
encies, especially che Philippines l answer that
no convenience. expediency. no other obligation
ever justifes breach Of the national good faith.
Let me add, too that this Porto Rlcan legislation
is testing US before the eyes OF the Filipinos who
keep well informed Of all our doings. They will
Judge BY this legislation OF the value Of American
promises When the ablest and most statesnanlike
Of Aguinaldos emissaries to the Philippine Com
mission once expressed the fear that the American
government might not keep the promises II was
m1king-''for SPAIN" said he made promises and
broke them silsnced him with the reply; ',Sig-
nor. the United States is not Spain"
Is he now 10 learn all the Fflisnos now 70
learn. that in the first legislation for our rev de
pendencies We prove faithiess to our pledges AMI
recreant 70 obligations? Such an exhibition OF
ourselves will strengthen the hands o. AguinaIdo
and the insurgents, because unhappily IL can be
used TO support their persistent statement that the
Americans are no more trustworthy than the Span
isrds
At the very moment when We need 10 iasDire con-
fdence in the minds Of the conquered FTlipinoz
shall commit an act which will confirm their dis
trust Of quicken their suspicious and breed new
and perhaps. ineradicable snupathiss? God for
bid,
Senator Fs'---nds = mo '--'eIg,inn
-F.pos'13 any and or reyt..., Dido. -
benSi. on the people OF Porto Rico that
Is not common TO the whole people ot
the United States will initiate and parallel
tie acts Of the British Parliament which
forced our fathers to Just resistance and
revolution. and led them 10 establish 4
constitution which in studied and ex-
plicit terms forbids any such discrimina-
ton
Difference in Favor Of Kins George.
'In this connection I submit. In parallel
columns, the statement OF the purpose Of
the measure taxing the colonies and the
disposition OF the proceeds, and that Of
our bills in regard TO Porto Rico The
statement Of the act OF King George IS
an extract from Lord John RusselTs
Life Of Fox first volume. page Is as
follows:
Tie bill imposing dg- Under c1r rrea.urs,
'iss certain kids % Porto Rico Il 10 tH rs.sA
-H- ~ 4 t. a-N -.