The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-03

Surfing the benefits Of liberty and good
est of humanity and with the aim Of
building up an enduring, sef-supporLing ~,
and self-administering community IN
upon the congress that whatever leglsla-
ton may be enacted in respect TO the
Philippine islands should be along Lnose
generous lines. The fortune of war has
thrown upon this nation an unsought
charged and devolved upon this. govern
ment a moral as well as materla1, re. re-
we have freed from oppressive YOKE;
| have upon another occasion calied the
Filipinos the wards of the nation Our
obligation as guardian was not ughtly as as
sumed; it must not be otherwise than
honestly fulfilled, aiming first of all to
benefit those who have come under our
fostering care It is our duty. so to treat
them that our flag may be no less beloved
in the mountains of I.uzon and the fertile
zones of Mindanao and Negros than it is
be the revered symbol of liberty, enlight-
eminent 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 contem-
poraneous history in view, would fix a
vancement yet within the reach of those
people, If our duty toward them De faith
PORTO RICO.
The civil government of Porto Rico pro-
vided for by the act of the congress APP
proved April II, 1900, is in successful oper-
alton. The courts have been established.
The governor and his associates, working
intelligently and tremendously, are meet
ing with commendable success
On the sixth of November a general cleo
ton was held in the island for members of
the legislature, and the body elected has
been called to convene on the frst Mon
day of December.
/ recommend that legislation be enacted
by the congress comforting upon the sec
rotary of the interior supervision over the
public lands in Porto Rico, and that he
be directed to ascertain the location and
quantity of lands the title to which re-
manned in the crown OF. Spain at the date
of cession of Porto Rico to the United
States, and that appropriations necessary
Tor surveys be made, and that the meth n
DDS of the disposition of such lands be
prescribed by law.
CUBA
On the 18th of July, 1900, directed that
a call be issued for an election in Cuba
ton to frame a constitution on basis for
a stable and independent government in
the island. In pursuance thereof the mill
tary governor issued the following 1nstruc-
Whereas, the congress of the United
States by its joint resolution OF April ~.
1898, declared
q That the people of the Island of Cuba
are, and of right ought to be free and
. that the United States hereby dis
claims any disposition or intention to ex-
erclse sovereignty, jurisdiction or control
over said island except for the pacifica-
when that is accomplished, to leave the
government and control of the island to
It's people.
And. whereas. the people of Cuba have
established municipal government, deriv-
ing their authority from the sunrages of
the people given under Just and equal laws
and are now ready, in like manner, to pro-
coed to the establishment of a general
government which shall assume and exer-
else sovereignty, jurisdiction and control
over the island:
Therefore, it is ordered that a general
election be held in the Island of Cuba on
the third Saturday of September, in the
year nineteen hundred to elect delegates
convention meet
Havana. at II O clock on the first Monday
dred, to frame and adopt a constitution
for the people of Cuba, and as part
thereof to provide for and agree with the
relations to exist between that govern
ment and the government of Cuba, and to
provide for the election by the people of
officers under such constitution and the
transfer OF government to the officers so
"The election will be held in the several
voting precincts OF the island under and
pursuant to, ting provisions of the cleo
toral law of April Is, 1900, and the amend
The election was held on the 18th of
September and the convention assembled
on the 9Th of November, 1900. and is now
in session.
In calling the convention to order, the
military governor of Cuba made the fol-
lowing statement:
AS military governor of the island, rep
resenting the president of the United
States, call this convention to order.
It will be your duty, first, to frame and
that has been done, to formulate what in
your opinion ought to be the relations be-
tween Cuba and the United States
The constitution must be adequate to
secure a stable, orderly and free govern
ment-
When you have formulated the rela-
lions which, in your opinion. ought to ex-
lst between Cuba and the United States,
the government of the United States Will
doubtless take such action on its part
as shall lead to final and authoritative
agreement between the people of the two
countries to the promotion of their COM
mon interests.
All friends of Cuba will follow your de-
liberations with the deepest interest, earn
estly desiring that you shall reach just
conclusions and that BY the dignity indi-
vidual self-restraint and wise conservat-
ism which shall characterize your pro-
ceedings the capacity of the Cuban people
signally illustrated.
The fundamental distinction between
tatorship is that in the former every rep
resentaive of the people, in whatever Of
flee, confines himself strictly within the
limits of his defined powers. Without such
restraint there can be no free conStitu-
tional government.
Under the order pursuant to which you
have been elected and convened you have
no duty and no authority to take part in
terms of that order.
When the convention concludes its la
boris | will transmit to the congress the
constitution cor as framed by the oohyention
as it may deem advisable.
PACIFIC CABLE.
renew the recommendation made in
my special message of February 10, 1899,
as to the necessity for cable communica-
ton between the United States and Ha-
wall, with extension to Manila Since then
circumstances have strikingIy emphasized
this need. Surveys have shown the en-
tire feasibility of a chain of cables which
at each stopping place shall touch on
American territory, so that the system
shall be under our own complete control.
Manila once within Geographic reach, con-
nection with the systems of the Asiatic
coast would open increased and profit
able opportunities for a more direct cable
route from our shores to the Orient than
is now afforded by the transatlantic,
continental and trans-Asian lines. 1 urge
attention to this important matter.
The personal strength of the army is
100000 men-65.00 regulars and $1,000 vol
unteers. Under the act of March 2 1899,
on the 30th of June next, the personal vol
unteer force will be discharged and the
regular army will be reduced to 2,447 Of
nd emil mo