The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-04

been assisting its people in the success
sive steps necessary to the establish
ment OF a free and independent gov
eminent prepared to assume and per
form the obligations of international
law which now rest upon the United
States under the treaty of Paris The
convention elected by, the people to
frame a constitution is approaching the
completion of its labors- The transfer
Of American control to the new govern
ment is of such great Importance IN
volving an obligation resulting from our
Intervention and the treaty of peace that
I am glad to be advised by the recent
act of congress of the policy which the
legislative branch of the government
deems essential to the best interests OF
Cuba and the United States.
The principles which led to our inter-
ventfon require that the fundamental
law upon which the new government
rests should be adopted to secure
government capable Of performing the
duties and discharging the functions OF
a separate nation, of observing It's IN
formation obligations of protecting life
and property inSuring order, safety
and liberty and conforming to the eS-
tabIished and historical policy of the
United States in its relation to Cuba
The peace which we are pledged to leave
to the Cuban people must carry with II
the guarantees of permanence- we be
came sponsors for the pacification OF
the island, and we remain accountable
to the CubanS, no less than to our own
country and people, for the reconstIue-
ton of Cuba as a free commonwealth
on abiding foundations Of right, justice,
liberty and assured order. Our e1S-
Reimbursement of the people will not be
completed until free Cuba shall be
reality. not name; perfect Entity.
not a hasty experiment bearing within
itself the elements of failure.
While the treaty of peace with Spain
was ratified on the 9Th of February,
1899, and Publications were exchanged
hos
indicated no form of government for the
Philippine islands. 1t has. however,
provided an army to enable the execu-
tive to suppress insurTect1on, restore
peace, give security to the Inhabitants,
and establish the authority of the Uni
ted States throughout the archipelago.
It has authorized the organization Of
native troops as auxiliary to the regu-
lar force. 1t has been advised from
time to time of the acts of the military
and naval officers in the islands, of my
action in appointing civil commissions,
of the instructions With which they
were charged of their duties and pow
ers, Of their recommendations and Of
the several acts under executive COM
mission, together with the very COM
plete general information they have sun
mitted- These reports fully set forth
the conditions, past and present, in the
islands, and the Instructions clearly
show the principles which will guide
the executive until the congress shall as
ternine the civil rights and political
status of the native inhabitants"
The congress having added the sane
ton of its authority to the powers al
ready. possessed and exercised by the ex-
ecutive under the constitutional
leaving with the executive the RESPONSE
bflity for the government OF the Philip
pines I shall continue the efforts already
begun until order shall be restored
the islands, and as fast as
conditions permit will establish local
governments, in the formation of which
the full cooperation of the people has
been already invited, and when estab-
Iished will encourage the people to adj
minister them. The settled purpose,
long ago prevailed, to afford the inhabit-
ants Of the islands government as
fast as they were ready for it. will be
pursued with earnestness and fidelity.
Already something has been accomplish
ed in this direction. The governments
representatives, civil and military, are
doing faithful and noble work in their
mission Of emancipation and merit the
approval and support of their country
men. The most liberal terms OF amnesty
have already been communicated to the
insurgents and the way is still open for
those who have raised their arms
against the government for honorable
to its authority Our eoun-