Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-12-03

should ss nearly as possible be modelled
on our homestead system. Il Is O
pleasure TO say that 1t is hardly more
neces .ary to report 50 to Porto Rico
than as to any State or Territory with
in our continental limits. The island
is thriving as never before, and IL is
being administered efficiently aod
honestly. Ite people are now enjoying
liberty and order under the protection
OF the Uoited States and upon this fact
We congratulate them aud ourselves.
Their material welfare must be ss care
fully and jealousy considered ss the
welfare OF any other portion OF our
country. We have given them the
great gift OF free access for their pro-
ducts to the markets of the United
States. / ask the attention OF the Con.
gress 10 the need OF Legislation concern.
ing the public lands Of Porto Rico.
In Cuba such progress has been made toward
putting the independent government Of the
island upon 3 firm footing that before the
present session of the Congress closes this will
be an accomplished fact. Cubo will then
start ss her own mistress; and to the beautiful
Queen OF the Antilles, IN she unfolds this new
page Of her destiny, We extend oar heartlest
greeting and good wishes. In the case OF
Cuba, there are weighty reasons Of morality
and OF national interest why the reci-
procIty policy should be held to have q pecu'
liar application. and most earnestly ssk your
attention to the wisdom, indeed to the vital
need, OF providing for Q substantial re-
duction in the tariff duties on Cuban
imports into the United States.
Our attitude toward Cuba is . sufficient guar.
anty Of our own good faith. We have not
the slightest desire to secure any territory at
the expense OF our neighbors. In the Philip
pines our problem Is larger. They are very
rich tropical islands, inhabited by many vary.
ing tribes, representing widely different
stages Of progress toward civilization. Our
earnest effort is to help these people upward
along the stony and difficult path that leads
to self-goyernment. We hope to make our
administration Of the islands honorable 70
our nation by making it Of the highest bone.
it to the Filipinos themselves and IS an
earnest Of what we intend 10 do, We point to
what we have done. Already Q greater aess-
ure OF material prosperity and of govern
mental honesty and efficiency has been st
tained in the Philippines than ever before
in their history. In dealing with
the Philippine people We must show both
patience and strength, forbearance and stead.
fast resolution. Our aim 10 high. We do
not desire to do for the islanders merely what
has ell swhere been dcle for tropic peoples
by even the best foreign governments. We
hope to do for them what has never before
been done for people Of the tropics-to make
them 1T for Eelf.gOvernmeut after the fashion
Of the really free nations. History may safe
ly be challenged to show q single instance in
which masieriul race such O. ours, having
been forced by the eTigencieJ Of war to take
possession OF an alien land, has behaved to
its inhabitants with the disinterested zeal
for their progress that our people have shown
in the Philippines. To leave the islands at
this time would mean that they would fall
INTO . welter of murderous anarchy. such
desertion Of duty on our part would be q
crime against humanity. There
ne not be the slightess fear Of our not con-
linuing TO give them all the liberty for which
they are lE." The President further recon-
mends certain legislation which no believes
will be beneficial TO the islands, As vol Is in
dustrisl movements among the Inhabitants.
The President urges the necessity for c.
bic to Hawaii and the Philippines and set.
forth the advantages Of an isthmisn canal, re-
viewing close y oil the Issues in connection
with the proposed waterway.
The Monroe doctrine, which he, Of course
upholds, he regards as 8 safeguard, like iDde-
pendenee, by which he believes like perm
nence for the lesser among the New Wor. d
nations will be scored. "0ur people," he
says "intend to abide BY the doctrine and to
insist upon 1t ss the one sure means OF secur-
ing the peace Of the Western Hemisphere"
In speaking Of the navy the President
says: The work OF upbuilding the navy
must be steadily continued. No one point OF
our policy, foreign or domestic, is more i'm
portant III An this to the honor and material
welfare, and above all to the peace, of our
nation in the future. Whether we destre II
or not, we must hencefoIth recognize that
we have international duties no less than In
transitional rights. Even il onr flag were
hauled down in the Philippines and
Porto Rico, even If we decided not To
build the isthmiau canal, We should
need thoroughly trained navy oil
adequate size, or else be prepared definitely
and for sill time TO abandon the idea thst our
nation is mong those whose sons 20 down to
the sea in ships. Unless our commerce Is al.
ways to be carried in foreign bottoms, we
must have war craft to protect it."
In regard to the army he says
1T Is not necessary to increase our army DO.
yOnu lb3 pAcoohs oinc ~ b&kio bAhaCs Dnh ~ 40
necessary to keep 1t at the highe,t point Of
efficiency. He fsvors the creation Of 3 gen.
al staff.
He pays tribnte to the men Of the army
and navy, and thinks means should be manga
rated in order that they may reach the high
est points Of efficiency.
In his reference to the militia Mr.. Roose-
velt says: action should BIO taken in refer.
enee to the militia and 10 the raising Of vol
unteer foreea Our militia lsw is obsolete
and worthless. The organization and srmA
ment OF the National Guard OF the several
States, which are treated Is militia In the ap-
propdstions by the Congress, shoald be made
identical with those provided for the regular
forces"
He calls attention to veterans who served
ia the federal army during the war between
the States, a. well rs those who fought In the
United States army during the reoeHt war
with Spain.
The President upholds the merit system In
making appointments, sndlsays ut is In its
essence IS democratic and American 90 the
common school system itself It simply
means that In clerical and other positions
where the duties are entirely non-political,
all applicants should have fair field and no
favor, each standing on bis merits as he is
able to show them by practical test. Written
competitive eKsmiL atoms offer the only
available means in many cases for applying
this system. recommend the
passage OF law which will extend the CLASH.
fed service to the District of Columbis, or
will at east enable the President thus 80 en-
tend 1t. In my judgment ali laws providing
for the temporary employment Of clerks
should hereafter contain q provision that
they be selected under the Civil Service Law.
Il is important to shave this system obtain at
home, but 1t is even more important TO have
It applied rigidly In our insular possession"
The President deyotes . small space to the
indians, In which he says the time Is come
when the red man should be recognized as an
individual snd not as q member of q tribe
and he thinks the time has also come when
the Indian should be msde to work. and with