New-York tribune., 1900-09-10

are rapidly diminishing and age ana innfrhltS
are increasing their dependence. These with
the soldiers OF the Spanish war. viii not be
neglected by their grateful countrymen. The
pension laws have been liberal They should be
Justly administered, and will be. Preference
should be given to the soldiers. sailors and ma
rines, their widows and orphans, with respect
TO employment in the public service.
ORDER RESTORED IN CUBA.
We have been in possession of Cuba since the
first of January 1899 We have restored order
and established domestic tranquility. We have
fed the starving, clothed the naked and min
istered to the sick We have improved the
sanitary condition of the island. We have stim-
ulated industry introduced public education,
and taken a full and comprehensive enumera-
ton of the inhabitants. The qualification Of
electors has been settled and under it officers
have been chosen for all the municipalities Of
Cuba These local governments now in
operation. administered by the people. Our mill
tary establishment has been reduced from forty
three thousand men to less than six thousand.
An election has been ordered. to be held on
September Is, under fair election law already
tried in the municipal elections. to choose mem
bers Of a constitutional convention, and the
convention. by the same order is to assemble
on the first Monday of November to frame con-
stitution upon which an independent govern
ment for the island will rest All this is a long
step in the fulflnlent of our sacred guarantees
to the people of Cuba.
THE RULE OF PORTO RICO
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 10 this island a government in which
the inhabitants participate elect their own
I.pRiSlaf Iav nrOVidp
their own system of taxation, and in these re-
spects have the same power and privileges en-
toyed by other territories belonging to the
United States. and a much larger measure of
self-government than was given to the inhab-
itants Of Louisiana under Jefferson. A District
Court of the United States for Porto Rico has
been established and local courts have been In
augurated, all Of which are in operation. The
generous treatment OF the Porto Ricans
cords with the most liberal thought of own
country and encourages the best aspirations of
the people of the island. While they do not
have instant free commercial intercourse with
the United States, Congress complied with my
recommendation by removing, on the first day of
May last. s. per cent of the duties and provd-
ing for the removal of the remaining Is per
cent on March 1, 1902, earlier IL the Legis-
lature of Porto Rico shall provide local rev.
enues for the expenses Of conducting the Gov
ernment. During this intermediate period
Porto Rican products coming into the United
States pay a tariff of - per cent Of the rates
under the Dingley act and our goods going 10
Porto Rico pay a like rate. The duties thus
paid and collected both in Porto Rico and the
United States paid to the Government of
Porto Rico, and no part thereof is taken by
the National Government. All Of the duties
from November /, 1898. to June 80 1900 ag-
% s1En SE1O %
custom houses in the United States upon Porto
Rican products under the laws existing prior
to the above mentioned 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 improvement Of roads
the sum of S1,013OS4 95. The United States
military force in the island has been reduced
from 1000 to 1900, and native Porto Ricans
constitute for the most part the local con-
Under the new law and the inauguration of
civil government there has been a gratifying re-
vlval of business. The manufactures OF Porto
Rico are developing; her imports are Increasing;
her tariff is yielding increased returns; her
fields are being cultivated; free schools are be-
ing established. Notwithstanding the many
incident to change of Ma
tional conditions, she is rapidly showing the
good effects Of her new relations to this Nation
THE STATUS OF THE PHILIPPINES.
For the sake Of full and intelligent under
standing of the Philippine question, and to give
to the people authentic information Of the acts
and aims of the Administration, I present at
some length the events Of Importance leading
up 20 the present situation. The purposes Of
the Executive are best revealed and can best
be judged by what he has done and is doing
1t will be seen that the power Of the Govern
nent 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, 1895 Congress de-
clared that state of war existed between
Spain and the United States On Nav / 1903
Admiral Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet in
Manila Bay. On May 10, 1898. Mator-G General
Merritt, u. 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 faction among them. but
to protect them in their homes in their emplov
ments and in their personal. and religious rights
All persons who. either by active aid or bv
honest SUBMISSION cooperate with the United
States in its efforts to give effect to this benef
cent purpose will receive the reward of it's SUD-
port and protection"
On July B. 1893. the Spanish fleet in ATTEMPT
ing to escape from Santiago Harbor was de-
stroyed by the American fleet, and on July II
1898, the Spanish garrison in the city of San
tiago surrendered to the commander of the
American forces.
Following these brilliant victories, on the 18th
day of August. 1893, upon the initiative of
Spain. hostilities were suspended and a protocol
was signed, with view to arranging terms OF