The Holly chieftain., 1900-12-07

stut- VI ouI - anu
Foreign ships should carry, at least.
not tie greatest part of American
trade. The remarkable growth OF our
steel industries. the progress OF ship
building for domestic trade. and our
steadily maintained expenditures for
the navy have created an opportunity
TO place the United States in the first
rank of commercial maritime I,Owers-"
The Philippine question occupies
considerable space in the Presidents
mtssa se. and orders to the Philippine
tcommonly known as the Taft COM
mission are embodied in the MESA sc.
al of which have been published
The President feels that the opposi-
tior to this government is in scattering
districts. although ii is still such as TO
caule a feeling of insecurity among the
pop ulation of the islands. The Presi-
dent concludes:
Later reports from the commission
show yet more encouraging advance
toward insuring the benefits of liber
ty and good government to Filipines
in the interest of humanity and with
the aim of building up an enduring.
self-supporting and self-administering
community in these far eastern seas.
1 Ntull llDpitSS ulpu
that whatever legislation may be en-
acted in respect to the Philippine is
lands should be along these generous
lines. The fortune of war has thrown
upon this nation an unsought trust.
which should be unselfishly dis
charged. and devolved upon this gov
responsibility toward these, millions
hrr x,-e,
siye yoke.
Il have on another occasion called
the Filipinos the wards of the na-
ton Our obligation as guardian was
not lightly assumed. 1t must not be
otherwise than honestly fulfilled. aim
ing first of all TO benefit those who
have come under our fostering care.
1t IL our duty SO 10 treat them that
our flag may be no less beloved in the
mountains of LuZon and by the sons
of Minlanao and Negros than it is at
home. that there, as here, II shall be
revered as the symbol of liberty. en-
ltghtenment and progress in every ave
nue. of development.
THE Filipin6s are race quick 10
learn aud to profit by knowledge. He
would be rash who, with the teachings
of contemporaneous history in view.
would fix limit to the degree of cnl-
ture and advancement yet within reach
of these people, if our duty toward
them be faithfully performed.
1T must be apparent that we will
require an army of about GO,0OO. and
that during present conditions in Cuba
and the Philippines the President
should have authority to increase the
force 10 the present number of 1O0,-
O0O. Included in this number. author
ity should be given to raise native
troops in the Philippines up to 1000,
which the Taft Commission believes
will be more effective in detecting and
suppressing guerrillas, assassins and
ladrones than our own soldiers.
Il renew the recommendation made
in my last annual message that Con-
gress provide special medal Of honor
for the volunteers, regulars. sailors and
marines on duty in the Philippines who
voluntarily remained in the service af-
ter their terms of enlistment had eN-
pired
THE full discussion Of this subject
by the secretary of war in his annual
report Is called to your earnest atten-
ton.
TeHeW tHe Recommendation LAdie
in my. special message of February 10.
1899, as to the necessity Of cable CON-
between the United States
and Hawaii. with extension to Manila.
Since then circumstances have strik-
ingly emphasized this need. Surveys
have shown the entire feasibility of a
chain of cables which at each stopping
place shall touch on American terri
fsnr fhnt rl,, ..
der our own control. Manila. once
within telegraphic reach, connection
with the systems of the Asiatic coast
would open increased and profitable
opportunities for more direct cable
route from our shores to the Orient
than is now afforded by the trans-
Atlantic, continental and trans-Asia
lines. l urge attention to this impor-
tant matter.
In our great prosperity we must
guard against the danger 1t invites of
extravaganza in government expendi-
lures and appropriations and the chos-
en- representatives of the people will.
doubt not. furnish an example In
their legislation of that wise economy
which In season of plenty husbands
for the future. In this era of great
business activity and opportunity eau
tion is not untimely. 1t will not abate.
but strengthen, our confidence. 1t will
not retard, but promote, legitimate in
d,istrial and commercial expansion.
Our growing power brings with It
temptations and perils requiring con
etant vigilance to avoid. 1t must not
be used to invite conflicts, not for op-
preston. but for the more effective
of those principles of
equality and justice upon which our
Institutions and happiness depend. Let
us keep always in mind that the foun.
dation OF our government is liberty, It's