Gilpin observer., 1900-12-06

vice law is in preparation; that rail-
road communications are expanding
opening up rich districts and that a
comprehensive scheme of education
is being organized.
| Later reports from the commission
show yet more encouraging advance
| toward insuring the benefits of liber-
ty and good government to FilipinOs
in the interest of humanity and with
| the aim of building up an enduring,
| self-supporting and administering
community in these far eastern seas.
1 would impress upon the Congress
that whatever legislation may be en-
acted in respect to the Philippine is
lands should be along these generous
lines. The fortune of war has thrown
upon this nation an unsought trust,
which should be unselfishly dis
charged, and devolved upon this gov
ernment moral as well as material
responsibility toward these millions
whom we have freed from an oppres-
| sive yoke
II have on another occasion called
the Filipinos "the wards of the ma
ton" Our obligation as guardian was
not lightly assumed. 1t must not be
otherwise than honestly fulfilled, aim
ing first of all to benefit those who
have come under our fostering care.
1t is our duty so to treat them that
our flag may be no less beloved in the
mountains of LuZon and by the sons
!, of Minlanao and Negros than 1t Is at
home, that there, as here, it shall be
revered as the symbol of liberty, en-
lightenment and progress in every ave-
nue. of development.
| THE FilipinoS are n race quick to
learn and to profit by knowledge. He
would be rash who, with the teachings
of contemporaneous history in view,
would fix a limit to the degree of cul-
ture and advancement yet within reach
of these people, if our duty toward
them be faithfully performed.
PORTO RICO.
"1'he civil government of Porto Rico
provided for by the act of the Con-
gress, approved April IL, 1900, is in
successful operation. The courts have
been established. The governor and
his associates working intelligently
and harmoniously, are meeting COM
mendable success.
"On the 9th of November a general
election was held in the island for
members of the legislature, and the
body elected has been called to con-
vene OH the first Monday of December.
Il recommend that legislation be en-
acted by Congress comforting upon the
secretary 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 remained in the crown
of Spain at the date of cession of Por-
to Rico to the United States, and that
appropriations necessary for surveys
be made and that the methods of the
disposition of such lands be prescribed
by law.
CABLES RECOMMENDED.
II renew the recommendation made
in my special message of February 10,
1899, as to the necessity of cable COM
municatiOn between the United States
and Hawaii, with extension to Manila.
Since then circumstances have strik-
ingly emphasized this need. Surveys
have shown the entire feasibility of a
chain of cables which at each stopping
place shall touch on American terri
tory, so that the system shall be un-
der our own control. Manila, once
within telegraphic reach, connection
with the systems of the Asiatic coast
would open increased and profitable
opportunities for n more direct cable
route from our shores to the Orient
than is now afforded by the trans
Atlantic, continental and trans-Asia
lines. i urge attention to this impor-
tant matter.
FOR A LARGER ARMY.
1.-THE present strength of the army is
100000 men-65,OOO regulars and 3d.
900 volunteers. Under the extent of
March ., 1899, on the Both of June next
| h,. will IAa. u lie
charged and the regular army will be
reduced to 2,447 officers and 29,Os5 en-
listed men.
I'm 1856 n board of officers con-
vened by President Cleveland, adopted
n comprehensive scheme of coast de-
fense for fortifications which involved
the outlay of something over S1OO,OOO,-
600. This plan received the approval
of the Congress-, and since then regu-
lar appropriations have been made and
the work of fertilization has steadily
progressed.
More than $50, 100000 have been in
vested in n great number of forts and
guns, with all the complicated and sci
entific machinery and electrical appli-
ances necessary for their use. The
proper care of this defensive machin-
cry requires men trained in its use.
The number of men necessary to per-
form this duty alone is ascertIined by
the War Department as n minimum
allowance to be 1920.
MEN NEEDED FOR NEW POSTS.
"Therc are tifty-eight or more mill
tary posts in the United States other
than the coast defense fortiiications.
1.-The number of these posts is being
constantly increased by Congress.
More than $22,OOOOOO have been ex-
pended in building and equipment
and they can only be cared for by the
regular army. The posts now in ex-
istence and others TO be built provide
.l..ti n..D.