The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-10
TEE COLONIAL POLICY.
Hr. Mckinley Discusses the Philip
pine Situation at Length.

pine Situation at Length.
We hold Porto Rico by the same title as
the Philippines. The Treaty of Peace
which ceded us the one conveyed to us
the other. Congress has given to this ISL
and a government in which the inhabi-
tants participate, elect their own legisla-
ture. enact their own local laws, provide
their own system of taxation. and in these
respects have the same power and privi-
legcs enjoyed by other Territories belong
ing to the United States, and a much
larger measure of self-government than
was given to the inhabitants of Louisiana
under Jefferson. A District Court of the
United States for Porto Rico has been es-
tablished, and local courts have been in
augurated, all of which are in operation.
The generous treatment of the Porto
Ricans accords with the most liberal
thought Of cur own country and eEcour-
ages the best aspirations of the people OF
the island. While they do not have in
stant free commercial intercourse with
the United States. Congress complied
with my recommendation by removing, on
the lst day of May last, IS per cent OF
the duties and providing for the removal
OF the remaining Is per cent on the 1st
OF March. 1902 or earlier, If the Legisla-
ture of Porto Rico shall provide local
revenues for the expenses of conducting
the Government. During this intermediate
period Porto Rican products coming into
the United States pay tariff of 10 per
cent of the rates under tie Dirgley act,
and our goods going to Porto Rico pay
like rate. The duties thus paid and col
lected, both in Porto Rico and the United
States, are paid to the Government Of
Porto Rico. and no part thereof is taken
by the National Government. All of the
duties from November l. 1898. to June 30,
1900 aggregating the sum Of S2.250. .523.21
paid al the custom houses in the United
States upon Porto Rican products, under
the laws existing prior to the aboye-men-
toned act Of Congress. have gone into
the Treasury OF Porto Rico to relieve the
destitute and for schools and other public
purposes In addition TO this we have
expended for relief, education. and i'm
provement of reads the sum OF 81 513. 0S4.95.
The United States military force in the
island has been reduced from II GOO 10
]. 500, and native Porto Ricans constitute
for the most part the local constabuiary.
Under the new law and the inauguration
of civil government there has been
gratifyin, revival OF business. The manu-
factures OF Porto Rico are de-
veloping; her imports are increasing;
her tariff Is yielding increased returns,
her fields are being cultivated; free
schools are being established. Notwith-
standing the many embarrassments incl
dent TO a change of national conditions
she is rapidly showing the coed effects
of her new relations 10 this nation.
The Philippine Question.
For the sake of full and intelligent un-
derstanding of the Philippine question,
and to give TO the people authentic infor-
nation of the acts and aims of the Ad-
ministration / present at some length the
events of Importance leading up 10 the
present situation. The purposes of the
Executive are best revealed and can best
he judged by what he has done and is
doing. 1t Will be seen that the power of
the Government has been used for the
liberty. the peace, and the prosperity of
the Philippine peoples, and that force has
been employed only against force which
stood in the way Of the realization of
these ends.
On the 25th day of April, 1898, Congress
declared that state of war existed be-
tween Spain and the United States. On
May l. 1893. Admiral Dewey destroyed
the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. On May
10, 1898, Major General Merritt, L. S. A..
was placed in command of the military
expedition to Manila and directed among
other things to Immediately publish a
proclamation declaring that we come not
to make war upon the people of the
Philippines nor upon any part or faction
among them. bat TO protect them in their
homes, in their einployments, and in their
personal and religious rights. All per-
sons who, either by active aid or by hon
est submission, cooperate with the
United States In its efforts to give effect
to this beneheent purpose will receive the
reward of its support and protection"
The Treaty Of Peace was concluded on
December 10, 1888. BY its terms the archi-
pelago, known as the Philippine Islands,
was ceded by Spain 10 the United States.
II was also provided that the civil rights
and political status OF the native inhabi-
tants of the territories hereby ceded TO the
United States saaH be determined 9y the
Congress" Eleven days thereafter, On De-
cember q. the following direction was
given to the commander of our forces in
the Philippines:
80 The military commander OF the
United States is enjoined to make known
to the inhabitants OF the Philippine ISL
ands that In succeeding 10 the sovereignty
OF Spain, in severing the former political
relations of the Inhabitants and in estab-
lishing a new political power. the author
ity OF the United States is to be eSerted for
the securing OF the persons and property