The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-05

MS marched on and on. and its every
step has exalted freedom and Human
lty. We are undergoing the same or
zeal as did our predecessors nearly
century ago We are following the
course they blazed. They
triumphed. VIII their successors fall
ter and plead organic impotency in
the nation2 Surely after one hun
dred and twenty-five years of achieve
mcnt for mankind we Will not now
surrender our equality with other
powers on matters fundamental and
essential to nationality. With no such
purpose was the nation created. In
no such spirit has ii developed its full
and independent sovereignty We adj
here to the principle of equality among
ourselves, and by no act of ours Will
we assign to ourselves a subordinate
rank in the family of nations.
My fellow-citiZenS, the public events
of the past four years have gone into
history. They are too near to justify
recital Some of them We're unfore seen;
many of them momentous and far
reaching in their consequences to our
selves and our relations with the rest
of the world. The part which the
United States bore so honorably In the
thrilling scenes in China, while new TO
American life, has been in harmony
with its true spirit and best traditions.
and in dealing with the results its pol
icy will be that of moderation and
fairness.
We face at this moment a most i'm
portant question-that of the future
relations of the United States and Gu
ba. 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 practicable speed
has been assisting its people in the
successive steps necessary to the es-
Establishment of free and Independent
government prepared to assume and
perform the obligations of internal
tional law which now rest 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 its labors.
The transfer of American control to
the new government is of such great
Importance, involving an obligation re-
sulting 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 es-
sential to the best interests Of Cuba
and the United States. The principles
which led to our Intervention require
that the fundamental law upon which
the new government rests should be
adapted to secure a government cap
able of performing the duties and dis
charging the functions of a separate
nation, of observing its international
obligations. of protecting life and prop
erty, insuring order. safety. and iiber-
ty, and conforming to the established
and historical policy of the United
States in its relation to Cuba.
The peace which we are pledged to
leave to the Cuban people must carry
with 1t the guarantees OF permanence.
We became sponsors for the pacifica-
ton of the island. and we remain ac-
countable to the Cubans. no less than
to our own country and people. for the
reconstruction of Cuba as a free COM
monwealth on abiding foundations of
right, justice. liberty. and assured or
der. Our enfranchisement of the peo-
rle will not be completed until free
Cuba shall .be a reality not a name:
a perfect entity. not a hasty expert
ment bearing within itself the ele-
ments of failure"
While the Treaty of Peace with
Spain was ratified on the 9Th of Feb
ruary, 1922 and Publications were ex-
changed nearly two years ago, the
Congress has indicated no form of
government for the Philippine Islands
1t has, however, provided an army to
enable the Executive to suppress in
surrection. restore peace. give secur-
ity to the inhabitants. and establish
the authority of the United States
throughout the archipelago. 1t has
authorized the organization OF native
troops as auxiliary to the regular
force. 1t has been advised from time
to time of the acts of the military and
naval officers in the islands. of my ac-
ton in appointing civil commissions,
of the instructions with which they
were charged, of their duties and pow
ers. of their recommendations. and of
their several acts under Executive
commission. together with the very
complete general information they
have submitted.
These reports fully set forth the
conditions, past and present, in the
islands, and the instructions clearly
show the principles which will guide
the Executive until the Congress shall,
as it is required to do by the treaty. b.
determine the civil rights and po-
litical status of the native inhabi-
tants." The Congress having added
the sanction of its authority to the
powers already possessed and exercis-
ed by the Executive under the Consti-
tuition, thereby leaving with the Ex-
ecutive the responsibility for the gov
eminent of the Philippines. l shall
continue the efforts already begun I'M
til order shall be restored throughout
the islands and as fast as conditions
permit will establish local govern
ments, in the formation OF which the
full cooperation of the people has
been already invited, and when estab-
iished will encourage the people to adj
minister them. The settled purpose,
long ago proclaimed, to afford the
inhabitants OF the islands Seif-gOV-
eminent as fast as they were ready
for il will be pursued with earnestness
and fidelity. Already something has
been accomplished in this direction.
The Government 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 communicated to the in
surgents, 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 de-
ceived We are not waging war
against the inhabitants of the Phil
ippine Islands. a portion of them are
making war against the United States.
By far the greater pa's of the inhabi-
tants recognize American sovereignty
and welcome it as a guaranty of or
der and of security for life. property,
pursuit Of happiness. To them 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 disloysl thousands who
are in rebellion against the United
States. Oruer under civil institutions
will come as soon as those who now
break the peace shall keep il. Force
will not he needed or used when those
who make war against us shall make
il no more. May il end without
further Dloodshcd. and there be
ushered in the reign of peace to be
made permanent by government of
liberty under law