The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-12-06

formal expression of its will, to use tho
authority vested in me by the constitu-
tion and the statutes to uphold the SOW
ereignty of the United States in those
distant islands ns in all other places
where our flag rghtfully floats, placing
to that end at the disposal of the army
and navy all the means which the lib
erality of congress and the people have
provided. No contrary expression Of the
will of the congress having been made
have steadfastly pursued the purpose so
| declared, employing the civil arm as well
| toward the accomplishment of pacifca-
| tion and the institution of local govern
ments within the lines of authority and
| law.
Progress in the hoped for direction
| has been favorable. Our forces have
successfully controlled the greater part of
| the islands. overcoming the organized
| forces of insurgents and carrying order
| and administrative regularity to all quar-
| tiers. What opposition remains is for the
| most part scattered, obeying no concerted
| plan of strategic action, operating only
| by methods common to thcStraditions of
guerrilla warfare which, while ineifect-
| i've to alter the general control now cs-
tablished, are still sufficient to bcget in
| security among the populations that have
| felt the good results Of our control and
! thus delay the Coufcrmcnt upon them of
| the fuller measures OF local self govern
mcnt, of education and of industrial and
| agricultural development which we stand
| ready to give to them.
by the spring OF this year the eff
| fective opposition of the dissatisfied Ia
| gals to the authority of the United States
! was virtually ended. thus opening the
| door for the extension of IL stable admin
| istration over much of the territory of
| the archipelago"
The president then speaks of the APP
| pointment of and instructions to the
Philippine commission and the proclama-
| tion of amnesty and says:
Later reports from the commission
show vet 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 support
| ing and self administering community in
| those far eastern seas. | would impress
upon the congress that whatever legisla-
ton may be enacted in respect to the
| Philippine Islands should be along these
| generous lines. The fortune of war has
| thrown upon this nation an unsought
trust which should be unselfshly dis
charged and develvcd upon this govern
ment n moral as well as material respon-
| sibilty toward these millions whom we
| have freed from an oppressive yoke.
| II have on another occasion called the
! Eilpinos the wards of the nation Our
obligation as guardian was not lightly as
! sumed. Ii must not be otherwise than
honestly fulfilled aiming first of all to
| benefit those who have come under our
fostering care. Ii 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 reyered symbol of liberty, enlighten-
ment and progress in every avenue of
development"
The situation in Porto Rico and Cuba
receives extended treatment, and the
president renews the recommendation
made in a special message of Feb. 10,
1899. as to the necessity for cable COM
munication between the United States
and Hawaii, with extension to Manila.
THE ARMY.
"The present strength of the army is
100000 men-G5, 600 regulars and $4,000
volunteers. Under the act of March .,
1899, on the 30th of June next the pres
ent volunteer force will be discharged,
and the regular army will be reduced TO
2,447 officers and 29,O25 enlisted men.
1--WE have in Cuba between 5000 and
| 5000 troops. For the present our troops
in that island cannot be withdrawn or
materially diminished and certainly not
until the conclusion of the labors of the
constitutional convention now in session
and Il government provided by the new
constitution shall have been established
and its stability assured
"In Porto Rico we have reduced the
gaIrisons to 1896 which includes S7G
native troops There is no room for fur.
ther redaction here.
at must be apparent that we will re-
quire an army of about 6O,O0O and that
during present conditionS in Cuba and
the Philippines the president should have
authority To increase the force to thC
present number Of 100000. Included in
this number authority should be given tC
raise native troops in the Philippines VI
to $4,000, which the Taft commission be
lieves will be more effective in detecting
and suppressing guerrillas, assassns anC
ladrones than our own soldiers.
Il favor the recommendation of the
secretary of war for the detail of officer:
from the line of the army when vacancies
occur in the adjutant generals depart
ment, inspector generals department
quartermaster's department, subsistence
department, pay department, ordnanc,
department and signal corps.
The rapid growth of the postal service
is next touched upon and extension of ru
raj free delivery urged. The efficiency o
the navy is briefly spoken of, and the re
cent armor plate settlement receives fa
vorabe comment. Pensions, territories
the twelfth census and agriculture eacl
receives consideration. Reapportionmen
OF representation according 10 the censu
> returns is recommended. In closing tn
president says:
in our great prosperity we mus
guard against the danger it invites of eX
trayagance in government expenditure
and appropriations, and the chosen repre-
,, sentatives of the people will, | doubt not
: furnish an example in their legislation o
, that wise economy which in season O
. plenty husbands for the future. In thi
era of great business activity and oppor
tunity caution is not untimely. It Wi
| NOT nbotp but strengthen. cOntidC ucp: