Gilpin observer., 1901-12-05


| their products to the markets of the Unitet
| States 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 o
| the island upon firm footing that before tn,
present session of the Congress closes thi,
| will be an accomplished fact. Cuba will ther
start as her own mistress; and to tho beauti
| full Queen of the Antilles. she unfolds this
| new page of her destiny. extend oul
| heartiest greetings and good wishes. Else
where have discussed the question of reel.
| procity. In the case OF Cuba, however, there
are weighty reasons Of morality and Of ma.
| tional interest why the policy should be held
to have peculiar application, and ! mos
earnestly ask your attention to the wisdom
indeed TO the vital need, OF providing for q
substantial reduction In the tariff duties on
Cuban imports into the United States. Cuba
has In her constitution affirmed what we de-
sired. that she should stand, in international
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-beng.
The Philippine Problem.
"In the Philippines our problem is 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
ficult path that leads to self-government. We
hope to make our administration OF the is
lands honorable to nation by making II
Of the highest benefit to the Flipinos them
selves: and earnest Of what we intend
to do. we point to what we have done. AL
ready greater measure of material prosper
ity and of governmental honesty and ef1ci-
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, for
bearance and steadfast resolution. Our aim
is high. We do not desire to do for the is
h..o a1u rlnra ham dp1a
for tropic peoples by even the best foreign
governments. w hope to do for them what
has never before been done for any people
of the tropics-to make them ft 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 welter of
murderous anarchy. Such desertion of duty
our part would be a crime against hu-
OF his associates and subordinates is proof.
II such be needed. OF the sincerity of our ef-
fort to give the islanders a constantly in
creasing measure of self-government, exactly
as fast as they show themselves Ht to exer-
else IT. Since the civil government was es-
tabiished not an appointment has been made
in the Islands with any reference to consider
atoms 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 insurrecton has become an affair
Of local banditti and marauders, who deserve
no higher regard than the brigands Of por-
rect or Indirect, to these insurrectos stands
on the same footing 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.
The time has come when there should be
additional Legislation for the Philippines.
Nothing better can-be done for the islands
Nothing would benefit them SO much as
throwing. them open to industrial develop
ment. 1t is therefore necessary that the
Congress should pass laws by which the re-
sources of the islands can be developed; SO
that franchises (for limited terms OF years.
in them. and every encouragement be given
kind.
IT call your attention most earnestly to the
crying need of cable to Hawaii and the
Philippines. to be continued from. the Phil
ppines to points in Asia. We should not
defer a day longer than necessary the con-
struction of such cable. 1t is demanded
not merely for commercial but for political
and military considerations.
Either the Congress should Immediately
provide for the construction of govern
ment cable, else an arrangement should
be made by which like ADVANTAGES to those
accruing from a government cable may be
secured to the government by contract with
a private cable company.
Recommends Nicaraguan Canal
mo single great material work which re-
mains to be undertaken on this continent is
of such consequence to the American people
the building of canal across the Isthmus
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. it would also
greatly benefit other sections. 1t is en-
phatically work which it is for the interest
of the entire country to begin and complete
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
-t,Av. A@a. not nn1V ant 20
in the nations material interests, but stand
ing monuments to its constructive ability.
Il am glad to be able to announce to you
that our negotiations on this subject with
Great Britain. conducted on both sides in a
spirit of friendliness and mutual good will
and respect. have resulted in my being able
to lay before the Senate a treaty which II
ratified will enable us to begin preparations
for an Isthmian canal at any time, and which
guarantees to this nation every right that
IL has ever asked in connection with the
canal. In this treaty. the old Clayton Bull
wer treaty, so long recognized as inadequate
to supply the base for the construction and
maintenance of q necessarily American ship
canal, is abrogated. 1t specifically provides
that the United States alone shall do the
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 effect to
tne advantages IL SECURES US py pToNiulus loE
the building of the canal.
1.-THE true end of every great and free peo-
pie should be self-respectng 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 n 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 IL: but more and more the civilized
peoples are realizing the wicked folly OF war
and are attaining that condition Of Just and
Intelligent regard for the rights Of others
which will in the end. as we hope and be-
leve. make worldwide peace possible. The
peace conference at The Hague gave definite
expression to this hope and belief and mark
ed u stride toward their attainment
Tho Monroe Doctrine.
.This same peace conference acquiesced in
our statement OF the Monroe doctrine as