Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1901-12-06


any other portion Of our country, We have
given them the great gift of free access for
their products to the markets Of the United
States. l ask the attention OF the Congress
to the need OF legislation concerning the pub
lie lands of Porto Rico.
Progress in Cuba.
"In Cuba such progress has been made to-
ward putting the Independent government or
the island upon Arm footing that before the
present session of the Congress closes this
will be an accomplished fact Cuba will then
start as her own mistress; and to tho beauti-
full Queen Of the Antilles. as she unfolds this
new page OF her destiny, we extend our
heartiest greetings and good wishes. Else
where i have discussed the question OF reel
procity. In the case Of Cuba, however. there
are welghty reasons Of morality and OF ma
tonal interest why the policy should be held
to have a peculiar application. and I most
earnestly ask your attention to the wisdom.
indeed to the vital need Of providing for
substantial reduction in the tariff duties on
Cuban imports into the United States. Cuba
has in her constitution afhrmed what we de-
sired, that she should stand. in international
matters, in closer and more friendly relations
with us than with any other power; and We
are bound by every consideration Of honor
and expediency to pass commercial measures
in the Interest of her material well-belng
Tho Philippine Problem.
I'm the Philippines our problem 10 larger.
They are very rich tropical islands, inhabi-
ted by many varying tribes. representing
widely different stages Of progress toward
civilization. Our earnest effort is to help
these people upward along the stony and diff
fcult path that leads to self-government. We
hope to make our administration OF the Is
lands honorable to our nation by making II
of the highest benefit to the Filipinos them
selves; and as an earnest Of what we intend
to do. we point to what we have done. Al
ready a greater measure OF material prosper
AL hAn atxr md ar
ency has been attained In the Philippines
than ever before in their history.
"In dealing with the Philippine people we
must show both patience and strength. Tor
is high. We do not desire to do for the Is
landers merely what has elsewhere been done
for tropic peoples by even the best foreign
governments. w hope to do for them what
OF the tropics-to make them At for self
government after the fashion Of the really
free nations.
ITO leave the islands at this time would
mean that they would fall into a welter OF
murderous anarchy. Such desertion Of duty
on our part would be a crime against hui
mainly. The character OF Governor Tart ana
of his associates and subordinates Is proof.
II such be needed of the sincerity OF our ef-
fort to give the Islanders constantly in
creasing measure Of self-government. exactly
as fast as they show themselves mt to exer-
else II. Since the civil government was es-
in the islands with any reference to consider
ations OF political influence. or to aught else
save the fitness Of the man and the needs
Of the service.
There are still troubles ahead in the is
lands The insurrectlon has become an affair
of local banditti and marauders, who deserve
no higher regard than the brigands OF por-
lions OF the old world. Encouragement, d.
rect or indirect, to these insurrectos STANDS
on the same footing as encouragement to hos
tile Indians in the days when we still had In
dian wars. AS we will do everything In our
power for the Filipino who is peaceful. we
will take the sternest measures with the
Filipinos who follow the path Of the insur-
recto and the ladrone.
1.-THE time has come when there should be
additional legislation for the Philippines.
than to introduce industrial enterprises.
Nothing would benefit them so much as
throwing them open to Industrial deveiop-
ment It is therefore necessary that the
Congress should pass laws by which the re-
sources Of the islands can be developed; so
that franchises flor limited terms OF years.
can be granted to companies doing business
in them, and every encouragement be given
to the incoming Of business men OF every
kind.
II call your attention most earnestly to the
crying need of a cable to Hawaii and the
Philippines, to be continued from the Phil.
defer day longer than necessary the con-
struction Of such cable. 1t is demanded
not merely for commercial but Tor political
and military considerations.
Either the Congress should Immediately
provide for the construction Of govern
ment cable, or else arrangement should
be made by which like advantages to those
accruing from a government cable may De
secured to the government by contract WIN
a private cable company.
Recommends Nicaraguan Canal
mo single great material work which re-
no nd kan m
of such consequence to the American people
as the building of canal across the lsthmus
connecting North and South America. While
its beneficial effects would perhaps be most
marked upon the Pacific coast and the gulf
and South Atlantic states. 1t would also
greatly benefit other sections. 1t Is en-
phatically a work which 1t Is for the interest
Of the entire country to begin ana conple.e
as soon as possible; 1t Is one OF those great
works which only a great nation can under
take with prospects of success. and which
when done are not only permanent assets
In the nations material interests, but stand
ing monuments to its constructive ability.
II am glad to be able to announce to you
that our negotiations on this subject with
Great Britain, conducted on both sizes IN
spirit Of friendliness and mutual gooa WI.
to lay before the Senate treaty which II
ratified will enable us to begin preparations
for an Isthmian canal at any time, ana wnicn
guarantees to this nation every right that
Il has ever asked in connection with the
canal. In this treaty, the old Clayton-Bul-
wer treaty, SO long recognized as inadequate
to supply the base for the construction ana
maintenance of necessarily American snip
canal, is abrogated. 1t specifically provides
that the United States alone shall do the
work of building and assume the response.
bility of safeguarding the canal and shall
regulate its neutral use by all nations on
terms OF equality without the guaranty or
interference of any outside nation from any
quarter. The signed treaty will at once be
laid before the Senate, and II approved the
Congress can then proceed to give enect to
the advantages II secures US by providing TOT
the building of the canal.
1.-The true end of every great and free peo-
nile should be self-respecting peace; and this
nation most earnestly desires sincere and
cordial friendship with all others. Over the
entire world, Of recent years. wars between
the great civilized powers have become less
and less frequent. Wars with barbarous or
smi- barbarous peoples come In an entirely
different category being merely most re-
grettable but necessary international police
duty which must be performed for the sake
of the welfare Of mankind. Peace can only
be kept with certainty where both sides wish
to keep IT.; but more and more the civilized
peoples are realizing the wicked folly OF war
and are attaining that condition OF Just ana
Intelligent regard for the rights OF others
which will in the end. as We hope and pc
leve, make worldwide peace possible The
neoce conference at The Hague gave definite
exnresson TO this hope and belief and mark
ed a stride toward their attainment
The Monroe Doctrine.