Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-12-06
Number 70

formai expression of its viii. to use the
/ authority vested in me by the constiau
/ ton and the statutes to uphold the SOW
ereignty of the United States in those
distant islands as in all other places
where our flag rightfully floats. placing
to that end nj 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 80
declared, employing the civil arm as well
toward the accomplishment of pacifica-
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 GUAR
| fers. What opposition remains is for the
most part scattered. Obeying no concerted
| plan of strategic action, operating only
| by methods common to the traditions of
| guerrilla warfare. which. while ineffect-
i've to alter the general control now es-
| tablished. are still sufficient to beget in
security among the populations that have
leit tue SOOu results our control ami
thus delay the conferment upon them of
the fuller measures of local self govern
ment, 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 Ta-
gals to the authority of the United States
was virtually ended. thus opening the
door for the extension of stable admin.
istration over much of the territory of
the archipelago"
The president then speaks of the ap-
pointment Of and instructions to the
Philippine commission and the proclama-
tion of amnesty and says:
Later reports from the commission
show yet more encouraging advance to-
ward msuring the benefits of liberty and
good government to the Filipinos i'm 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 tn.
Philippine Islands should be along thes.
generous lines. The fortune OF war has
thrown upon this nation an unsought
trust which should be unselfshly dis
tHtIEtu ueNtiNeu upon tulS kONtlH-
ment II moral as well as material respon-
sibilty toward these millions whom we
have freed from an oppressive yoke.
Il have on another occasion called the
Filpinos the wards OF the nation Our
obligation as guardian was not lightly as
sumed. 1t must not he otherwise than
honestly fulfilled. aiming first OF all 10
benefit those who have come under our
fostering care. Ii is our duty so to treat
them that our flag may he no less beloved
in the mountains of l.uZon aud the fertile
zones of Mindanao and Negros than il is
at home: that there. as here. ii shall he
the revered symbol of liberty. enlghten-
ment and progress in every avenue OF
development"
The situation in Porto Rico and Cuba
receives extended treatment. and tn"
president renews the recommendation
made in Il special message of Feb. 10.
1899. as to the necessity for cable com
muncation between the United States
and Hawaii, with extension TO Manila.
THE ARMY.
'.The present strength of the army is
100000 men-tio.O00 regulars and $4,000
volunteers. Under the act of March >.
1890. on the 3Oth of June next the pres.
ent volunteer force will be discharged,
and the regular army will be reduced to
LAT officers and 29,025 enlisted men.
I'VE have in Cuba between 5000 and
5000 troops. For the present our troops
in that island cannot he withdrawn ur
materially diminished and certainly moi
until the conclusion of the fabors Of the
constitutional convention now in session
and Il government provided by the new
constitution shah have been established
and its stability assured.
In h,x ratn.aA tt..
garrisons to l.ta,G. which includes $40
native troops. There is no room for fur
ther reduction here
1T must be apparent that we will re
luire an army of about i0kH and that
during present conditions in Cuba and
the Philippines the president should have
authority to increase the force to the
present number af lUWkl Included in
this number authority should be- given to
raise native troops in the Philippines up
to $1,000. which the Taft commission be-
lieves will bc more effective in detecting
aud suppressing guerrillas, assassins aud
lalrones than our own soldiers.
II favor the recommendation of the
secretary Of war for the detail of ofhcess
from the line of the army when vacancies
occur in the adjutant generals depart
ment, Inspector generals department..
anarterleastcr's department. subsistence
department. pay department.. ordnance
depart ment aud signal corps.
In our great prosperity We must
guard against the danger IL invites OF ex-
travaganee in government expenditures
and appropriations, and the chosen repre-;
sentatives of the people will. | doubt not,
furnish an example IN their legislation of
that Wise economy which Ia u season of
plenty husbands far the future. In tbs
era OF great business activity and oppor-
tunity caution is not untimely. II will
not abate, but strengthen, confidence; II
viii not retard. hut pronate. legitimate
industrial aud commercial expansion.
Our growing p"wcr brings with Il
temptations and perils requiring constant
vigilance Ia avoid. Il must not he usei
Ia invite conflicts nor for oppression. hut
far the more effective maintenance of
those principles of equality aud Justice
hu