Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-03-08

Relations with Cuba.
I'VE face at this moment a most i'm
portant question-that OF the future rela-
tions OF the United States and Cuba. With
our near neighbors We must remain close
friends The declaration of the purposes
OF this government in the resolution OF
April 20, 1898, must be made good. Ever
since the evacuation of the island by the
army of Spain the executive with all prac-
ticable speed has been assisting its peo-
pie I'm the successive steps necessary TO
the establis hment OF a free and independ
ent government prepared 10 assume and
perform 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 constl-
tuition is approaching the completion OF Its
labors. The transfer OF American control
TO the new government Is OF such great I'M
portance, involving an obligation resulting
from our Intervention and the 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 essential to the best interests OF
Cuba and the United States. The princi-
ples which led to our Intervention require
that the fundamental law upon which the
new government rests should be adapted
20 secure q government capable OF per-
forming the duties and dischsrging the
functions OF . separate nation. OF observing
Its international obligations of protecting
life and property. insuring order. safety
and liberty. and conforming to the estab:
nshed and historical policy OF the United
States In Its relation to Cuba.
Free Cuba Most he . Reality.
THE peace which We are pledged to
leave TO the Cuban people must carry with
Il the guarantees Of permanence. We be-
came sponsors for the pacincation OF the
island. and we remain accountable s'ths
Cubans, no less than to our own country
and people. for the reconstruction Of Cuba
as a free commonwealth on abiding foun-
dations OF right. Justice. liberty and as
sured order. Our enfranchisement OF the
people will not be completed until free
Cuba shall be a reality. not q name; a per-
feet entity. not a hasty experiment bearing
within itself the elements OF failure.
The Philippines.
"whiis the treaty Of peace with Spain
was ratified on the sixth OF February 1899
and ratifications were exchanged nearly
two wears ago, the congress has indicated
no form OF government for the Philippine
islands 1t has, however, provided an
army 10 enable the executive TO suppress
insurrection, restore peace give security
TO the inhabitants, and establish the au-
thority OF the United States throughout
the archipelago. Ii has authorized the or
ganization of native troops as auxiliary
10 the regular force. II has been advised
from time TO time OF the acts OF the MILL
tary and naval officers In tho islands, OF my
action IN appointing civil commissions, OF
the instruction with which they Were
charged. of their duties and powers, OF
iLDir raeummD uGatI0us, and OF the several
acts under executive commission. lu-
ggll.r with The very comp. a. general li-
formation they have submitted. Ih.
p ua. fully t toIth ta. D..-.i.''s, pas.
r. Ir.-. mt. 10 tu
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