The sun., 1900-12-04
PRESIDENTS message
Continued From Page Three.

tablished, are still sufficient to beget in
security among the populations that have
felt the good results Of our control and
thus delay the conferment upon them of
the fuller measures of local self govern
ment, of education and of industrial and
agricultural development which we stand
ready to give to them.
BY the spring of this year the effective
opposition of the dissatisfied Tagals to
the authority of the United States was
virtually ended, thus opening the door
for the extension of stable administra-
tion over much Of the territory of the
archipelago.
The president then speaks Of the ap-
Dointment of the Philippine commission,
and his instructions to that body. He
continues:
Coineidently with the entrance of the
commission upon it's labors I caused to
be issued by General Macarthur. the
military governor Of the Philippines, on
June p, 1900, a proclamation of amnesty
in generous terms, of which many of the
insurgents took advantage. among them
a number of important leaders.
The Commission's Reports.
This commission, composed of eminent
citizens representing the diverse geo
country and bringing to their task the
ripe fruits of long and intelligent service
in educational. administrative and judi
cial careers, made great progress from
the outset. AS early as Aug. 81, 1900. it
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, is i'm
proving as peace extends; that a larger
area is under sugar cultivation than ever
before, that the customs lkvenues are
greater than at any time during the Span
ish rule, that economy and efficiency in
the military administration have created
a surplus fund OF $6,000,000 available
for needed public improvements, that a
stringent civil service law is in prepara-
t;On, that railroad communications are
expanding, opening up rich districts. and
that a comprehensive scheme of educa-
tion is being organized.
Z 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, self supporting
and self administering community in
those far eastern seas. / would impress
upon the congress that whatever legisla-
tion may be enacted in respect to the
Philippine Islands should he along these
generous lines. The fortune of war has
thrown upon this nation an unsought
trust which should be unselfshly dis
charged and devOlYed upon this govern
ment 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 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-
tempOrane0us 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 Cubn.
The civil government Of Porto Rico
provided for by the act Of ia congress
approved April ~, 1900, is iT successful
operation. The courts have been estab.
iished. The governor and his associates
working intelligently and tremendously
are meeting with commendable success.
On the 9th of November general elec
tion was held in the island for member.
of the legislature, and the body elected
has been called to convene on the frs
Monday of December.
| recommend that legislation be enact
ed by the congress conferHng upon thu
secretary of the interior supervision Owe
the public lands in Porto Rico, and tina
he be directed to ascertain the location
and quantity of lands the title to whicl
remained in the crown of Spain at thu
date of cession Of Porto Rico to the Unit
ed States, and that appropriations neces
sary for surveys be made and that tn
methods of the disposition of such land
be prescribed by law.
On the 25th of July, 1900, / drecte-
that cnll be issued for an election il
Cuba for members of constitutions
convention to frame constitution as
basis for stable and independent gov
ernment in the island The election wa
held on the 18th OF September, and tn
convention assembled on the 9th of Nc
vember, 1900 and is now in session.
When the convention concludes its Ia
bors, will transmit to the congress til
constitution as framed by the conyentio
for it's consideration and for such actio
AS II may deem advisable.
1 renew the recommendation made |
my special message of Feb. 10. 1899 u
to the necessity for cable communicate
between the United States and Hawai-
with extension to Manila.
Z The Army.
The present strength of the army
100000 men-65000 regulars and $500
volunteers. Under the act of March
1899, on the Both Of June next the pre-
ent volunteer force will be discharges
and the regular army will be reduced
2,447 officers and 29,025 enlisted men.
We have in Cuba between 5000 an
6,0O0 troops. For the present our trooI
in that island cannot be withdrawn {
materially diminished and certainly NJ
until the conclusion of tho labors OF Il
constitutional convention now in sessio
and government provided by the ne