Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-03-08
THE PHILIPPINES.

While the treaty Of peace with Spain
was ratified on Feb. .. 1899, ana ratitica-
lions were exchanged nearly two years
ago, the congress has indicated no form
OF government Tor the Philippine Islands
1t has, however provided an army To
enable the executive to suppress insur-
rection, restore peace, give security to the
inhabitants and establish the authority
of the United States throughout the archi-
pelago. 1t has authorized the urgauiza-
ton of the native troops as auxiliary To
the regular force. it has been advised
from time to time of the acts of the mill
tary and naval officers in the islands, OF
all action in appointing civil commissions.
of the instructions with which they were
charged, of their duties and powers. of
their recommendations and of their scN-
eral acts under executive commission. to-
gether with the general information they
have submitted. These reports fully set
forth the conditions, past and present,
in the islands and the instructions clearly
show that the principles which will guide
the executive until the congress shall, as
ii is required to do Uy the treaty, deter
mine the civil rights and political status
OF the native inhabitants"
The congress having added the sane
ton of its authority to the powers al
ready possessed and exercised by the
executive under the constitution, thereby
leaving the executive the responsibility
for the government of the Philippines,
| shall continue the efforts already begun
until oredr shall be restored throughout
the islands, and as fast as conditions per-
nit will establish local governments, in
the formation of which the full co-opera-
ton of the people has been already in
vited, and when established will encour-
age the people to administer them. The
settled purpose, long ago proclaimed, to
AFFORD the Inhabitants Of the islands self
government as fast as they were ready
for il, will be pursued with earnestness
and fidelity. Already something has
been accomplished in this direction.
The governments 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 liberal
terms of amnesty have already been COM
municated to the insurgents, and the
way is still open for those who have
raised their arms against the government
for honorable submission to its authority.
Our countrymen should not be deceived.
We are not waging war against the in
habtants of the Philippine islands \
portion of them are waging war against
the United States. BY far the greater
part of the inhabitants recognize Ameri-
can sovereignty and welcome it as a
guaranty of order and security for life,
property, liberty, freedom of conscience
and the pursuit of happiness To them
the full protection will be given They
shall not be abandoned. We will not
leave the destiny of the loyal millions in
the islands to the 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 keep it, Force
will not be needed or useu when those
who make war against us shall make it
no more May it end without further
blood-shed and there be ushered in the
reign of peace to be made permannt by a
government of liberty under law