The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-12-05


important results not only for the United
States, but for the other participating
countries. 1t is gratifying that the Latin
American states have evinced the live
liest interest. and the fact that an In
ternational American congress will be
held in the city of Mexico while the ex.
position is in progress, encourages the
hope of larger display at Buffalo than
might otherwise be practicable. The
work of preparing an exhibit of our ma
uonal resources is making satisfactory
progress under the direction of different
officers of the federal government and
the various states of the union have
shown disposition toward the most
liberal participation in the enterprise.
In my last annual message l dwelt
at some length upon the condition of
affairs in the Philippines. While seek
Ing to impress upon you that the grave
responsibility OF the. future govern
ment of those islands rests with the
congress Of the United States, 1 abb
stained from recommending at that
time specific and final form Of gov
ernment for the territory actually held
by the United States forces and in
which as long as insurrection contin-
ues military arm must necessarily be
supreme.
Progress in the hoped for direction has
been favorable. Our forces have skill
fully controlled the greater part Of the
islands, overcoming the organized forces
of insurgents and carrying order and
administrative regularity to all quar-
ters. What opposition remains is for
the most part scattered.
The president speaks of the appoint.
ment Of the Philippine commission and
his Instructions to that body. He con-
tinues
"Coincidently with the entrance of
the commission upon it's labors I
caused to be issued by General Mac.
Arthur the military governor of the
philippines, on June 21, 1900, a procla-
nation of amnesty in generous terms.
OF which many of the insurgents took
advantage, among them a number of
important leaders.
The present strength of the army is
100000 men, $1,000 regulars and 35 600
volunteers. Under the act of March @
1899, on the SOth of June next the pres
ent volunteer force will be discharged
and the regular army will be reduced
to 2,447 officers and 29,025 enlisted men.
We have in Cuba between 5000 and g.
900 troops. For the present our troops
in that island cannot be withdrawn or
materially diminished, and certainly
not until the conclusion of the labors
or the constitutional convention now
In session and government provided
by the new constitution shall have
been established and it's stability as
sured. In Porto Rico we have reduced
the garrisons to 1886, which includes
S1S native troops. There is no room for
further reduction here. We will be re-
quired to keep a considerable force in
the Philippines for some time to come.
From the best information 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 United States. of
which there are assuring indications.
1t must be apparent that we will re-
quire an army of about $4,000 and that
during the present conditions in Cuba
and the Philippines the president
shoul9 have authority to Increase the
force to the present number of 100 900.
Included in this number authority
should be given to raise native troops
in the Philippines up to 5000, which
the Taft commission believes will be
more effective in detecting and sup
pressing guerrillas, assassins and la
drones than our own soldiers. l favor
the recommendation of the secretary of
war for the detail of officers from the
line of the army when vacancies occur
in the adjutant generals department
inspector generals department, quar-
termaster's department, subsistence
department, pay department, ordnance
department and signal corps.
The president speaks of the rapid
growth of the postal service and ap-
proves the recommendation OF the sec
retary of the navy for new vessels and
for more officers and men.
The pension roll shows a net increase
of 2,010 names.
Action is recommended in the way OF
increasing the number of schools in
Alaska. Progress is noted in the edu-
cational, agricultural and railroad de-
"
The civil service commission is great
ly embarrassed In it's work for want
Of an adequate permanent force for
clerical and other assistance. Its needs
are fully set forth in its report l in
vite attention to the report, and es-
pecially urge upon the congress that |
this important bureau Of the public |
service which passes upon the quail |
fications and character of so large a |
aumber of the officers and employees of |
the government, should be supported |
by all needed appropriations to secure |
promptness and efficiency. In our great |
prosperity we must. guard against the |
danger it invites of extravaganza in |
government expenditures and appro- |
priations, and the chosen representa-
tives of the people will, 1 doubt not. |
furnish an example in their legislation |
of that wise economy which, in a sea-
son of plenty, husbands for the future |
In this era of great business activity |
and opportunity caution is not untime-
ly. 1t will not abate, but strengthen |
confidence; 1t will not retard, but pro-
mote legitimate Industrial and COM
mercial expansion. Our growing power
brings with it temptations and perils
requiring constant vigilance to avoid. |
1t must not be used to invite conflicts
nor for oppression, but for the more
maintenance OF those princi-
pies of equality and justice upon which
our Institutions and happiness depend.
Let us keep always in mind that the
of our government is lib
erty; its superstructure. peace.