Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-12-14

territory. The isfand Is thriving as never
before, administered efficiently and hon.
estly. It's people enjoy liberty and order.
Their material welfare must be carefully
and jealously considered. We have given
them free access 20 the markets Of the
United States. / ask attention TO legis-
lation concerning the public lands of Por-
to Rico.
In Cuba such progress has been made
island that before the present session OF
congress closes this viii be accomplished,
Cuba Will then start as her own mistress.
Elsewhere l have discussed the question
of reciprocity. In the case Of Cuba, how
ever. there are weighty reasons why the
policy should have a peculiar application,
and l ask attention TO the wisdom, the
vital need, of a substantial reduction In
the duties on Cuban imports into the
United States. Cuba has In her constitu-
ton affirmed that she should stand, IN In
ternational matters. closest to US n we
are bound by honor and expediency TO
pass commercial measures In her interest.
A Larger Problem.
In the Philippines our problem Is larger.
They are very rich tropical islands, in
habited by varying tribes OF widely diff
these people upward. We hope to make
our administration honorable by making
It benefit the Filiplnos themselves; ana
as an earnest OF what we intend to 40,
we point TO what we have done. Already
a greater measure Of prosperity, OF gov
ernmental honesty n efficiency, has
been attained In the Philippines than ever
before.
1t Is no light task for a nation to achieve
the temperamental qualities without
which free government Is but a mockery,
our people are successfully governing
themselves, because for more than a thou
sand years they have been fitting them
selves. What has taken US thirty genera
tons we cannot expect TO see another
race accomplish out OF hand. We must
show patience and strength, fOrpearancs
and resolution. We hope to GO what mas
never before been done for aly people OF
the tropics-to make them mt Tor sen
government after the fashion of the reahy
free nations. To leave the Islands a. THIS
time would mean that they would lall
into q weller Of murderous anarchy.
Such desertion would be a crime. The
character OF Governor Taft and his as
sociates ls a proof OK the sincerity or our
effort 10 give the islanders "A constantly
increasing measurs Of self government,
exactly as fast as they show themselves
fit TO exercise It. Stree the civil govern
ment was established not an appoint
ment has been made with reference TO po-
In our anxiety for the welfare and prog
ress OF the Philippines II may be that
In giving them local self government.
There need not be fear Of our not contln-
uing TO give them all the liberty for which
they are ht. There Is not a locality lifted
for self government which has not re-
ceived It. But II may well be that IN GER
tain cases 1T viii 10 be Withdrawn
becapse the inhabitants show themselves
unfit to exercise 1t; such instances nave
already occurred.
No Real Rebellion Now.
The insurrection has become an affair
Of local banditti and marauders, who de-
serve no higher regard than b~riganls.
encouragement to these stands on the
footing OF encouragement to hostile IN.
dams. We must make II evident that
while we do everything In our power tor
the Filipino who is peaceful, we Will take
the sternest measures with the Filipino
who follows the path Of the insurrecto
and the ladrone.
numbers Of natives for their loyalty. The
Macabebes have been conspicuous for
their courage and devotion TO the nag. /
recommend aiding those crippled I'm the
service and the families OF those killed.
There fhOuld be additional legislation
for the Philippines. Nothing better can
be done for the islands tina 90 Introduce
Industrial enterprise. Nothing would
benefit them SO much as throwing them
open to Industrial development, OF course
no business man Will go into the Philip
pines unless II is TO his interest; ard II is
10 the interest OF the islands tina he go
I'm. It Is necessary that the congress pass
laws by which the resources OF the Islands
can be developed; so that franchises Cfor
limited terms) can be granted, and every
encouragement given to business men.
The franchises must be granted only un-
der regulations against improper eNpiOlta-
ton. But the lSlhlluS must De uc\tlbleil,
and capita must be given the opportunity.
1t is urgently necessary TO enact suitable
laws dealing with general transportation
mining, banking, currency, homesteads
and the use and ownership Of the lands
u timber.
! call attention TO the need Of a cable TO
Hawaii and the Philippines, 10 be con-
tinued from the philippines 70 points In
OF such n cable. Congress Ehould Iroviaa
for construction OF a government cable,
or else an arrangement should be made by
which the advantage may be secured by
CONTRACT with q pIiNnIn cOmnAnN