The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-03-08

prepared to assume and perform the
obligations law @hich now rests upon
the United States under the treaty of
Paris. The convention elected by the
people to frame a constitution is ap
preaching the completion of it's labors
The transfer of American control to
the new government is of such great
Importance, involving an obligation
arising from our Intervention and
treaty of peace, that | am glad to be
advised by the recent act of congress
of the policy which the legislative
branch of the government deems es-
sential to the best interests of Cuba
and the United States. The principles
which led to our Intervention are fun
damental law upon which the new
government rests and should be adopt
ed to secure a government capable of
performing the duties and discharg
ing the functions of separate nation
of observing it's international obliga.
tions, of protecting life and property
of insuring life and order, safety and
conforming to the established and his
torical policy of the United States in
it's relations to Cuba.
Must Guarantee Permanently.
The peace which we are pledged to
leave to the Cuban people must carry
with it the guarantee of permanency.
We become sponsors for the island
and we remain accountable to the
Cubans, no less than to our country
and people for the reconstruction of
Cuba as a free commonwealth on
abiding foundations of right, Justice.
liberty and assured order. Our en-
reimbursement of the people will not
be completed until free Cuba shall be
a reality, not a name, a perfect en-
tity, not a hasty experiment bearing
within itself the elements of failure.
While the treaty Of peace with
Spain was ratified on Feb. 6, 1899,
and notifications were exchanged
nearly two years ago, the congress
has indicated no form of government
for the Philippine islands. It has,
however, provided an army to enable
the executive to suppress Instruction,
restore peace, give security to the in
habitants and establish the authority
of the United States throughout the
archipelago. 1t has authorized the
organization of native troops as aux
Hilary to the regular force. 1t has
been advised from time to time of the
acts Of the military and naval officers
in the island; of my action in appoint
ing civil commissioners, of the In
structions with which they were
charged, Of their duties and powers,
of their recommendation and of the
several acts under executive commits
sion, together with the very complete
general information they have Sc
cured. These reports fully set forth
the conditions, past and present, in
the islands, and the instructions
clearly show the principles which still
guide the executive until the congress
shall, as it is required to do by treaty,
determine the
Civil and Political Status
gress having added its, sanction of au-
thority to the powers already pos
sessed and executed by the executive
under the Constitution, thereby leav-
ing with the executive the RESPONSE
bility for the government of the Phil
ippines, shall continue the measures
already begun until order is restored
throughout the islands. AS soon as
the circumstances will permit I will
establish local governments, in the
formation of which the cooperation
Of the Philippine people has already
been invited, and which, when estab-
lished, will enable the people to ad-
minister them. The policy of the ad-
ministration to afford the inhabitants
Of the islands self-government as fast
as they are ready for it will be pur-
sued with earnestly and fidelity. AL
ready something has been accom-
plished in this direction. The gov
ernment's representatives, civil and
military, are doing faithful and noble
work in their mission of emancipation
and merit the approval and support
Of their countrymen. The most lib
eral 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
submission to it's authority. Our coun-
trymen should not be deceived. We
are not waging war against the in
habitants of the Philippine islands.
A portion of them are making war
against the United States. By far the
greater part of the inhabitants recog-
nize American sovereignty and with
it a guarantee of liberty, freedom and
the pursuit of happiness. To them
full protection will be given. They
shall not be abandoned. We will not
leave the destiny of loyal millions in
the islands to disloyal thousands who
are in rebellion against the United
States. Order under civil institutions
will come as soon as those who now
break the peace shall accept it. Force
will not be needed or used when those
who make war against us shall make
it no more. May it end without fur.
Their bloodshed and there be ushered
in the reign of peace to be made per,
manent by a government of liberty
under law.
Kleinschmidt Bros. have secured the
contractTfor uniting the new front into