Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1901-03-05

| Iea TO our InUeryenuon require UnaG 5ns
| fundamental law upon which the new
| government rests should be adapted to
secure a government capable of per-
| forming the duties and discharRing the
| functions of separate nation. Of OBJ
serving it's international obligations, of
protecting life and property, insurlng
order, safety and liberty and conform
ing to the established and historical pol
icy of the United States IN its relation
to Cuba.
The peace which we are pledged to
leave TO the Cuban people must carry
with it the guarantees of permanence.
We become sponsors for the pacifcation
of the island, and we remain account
able TO the Cnbans, no less than to our
own country and people, for the recon
struction of Cuba as a free common.
wealth, on abiding foundations of right,
justice, liberty and assured order. Our
enfranchisement of the people will not
be completed until free Cuba shall 'be
reality, not name; q perfect entity,
not hasty experiment bearing within
itself the elements of failure.
The Philippine Islands.
While the treaty of peace with Spain
was ratified on Feb. 6, 1899, and ratifi-
cations were exchanged nearly two years
ago, the congress has indicated no form
of government for the Philippine is
lands. 1t has, however, provided an
army to enable the executive to Suppress
insuFrection, restore peace, give security
to the inhabitants and establish the
authority of the United States through
out the archipelago. 1t has authorized
the organization of native troops as
auxiliary to the regular force. 1t has
been advised frome time to time of the
acts of the military and naval
officers in the island, of my action in
appointing civil commissions, of the in
structions with which they were
charged, of their duties and powers, of
their recommendations, and of the sew
eral acts under executive commission,
together with the very complete general
information they have submitted.
These reports fully set forth the condi-
tions, past and present, in the islands,
and the instructions clearly show the
principles which will guide the execu-
tive until the congress shall, as 1t is re-
quired to do by the treaty, determine
''the civil rights and political status of
the native inhabitants"
Local Self Government.
The congress having added the sane.
ton of it's authority to the powers al.
ready possessed and exercised by the ex.
ecutive under the constitution, thereby
leaving wi9h the executive the response
bllity for the government Of the Philip
pines, shall continue the efforts already
begun until order shall be restored
throughout the islands, and as fast as con.
ditions permit will establish local gov
ernments, in the formation of which the
full cooperation of the people has been
already invited, and when established
will encourage the people to administer
them. The settled purpose, long ago
prevailed, to afford the inhabitants of
the islands self government as fast as
they were ready for it, will be pursued
with earnestness and fidelity.
Good Results Already.
Already something has been accom-
plished in this direction. The govern
ment's representatives, civil and mill
tary, 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 communi-
Gated 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
habitants of the Philippine islands. A
portion Of them are making war against
the United States.
By far the greater part of the inhabi-
tants recognize American sovereignty
and welcome it as guaranty of order
and of security for life, property, lib
erty, freedom of conscience end the pur-
suit of happiness. To them full protec-
ton will be given. They shall not be
abandoned. We will not leave the des-
tiny of the loyal millions of the islands
to the disloyal thousands who are in re-
bellion 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 used when those who make
war against us shall make it no
more. May it end without further
bloodshed and there be ushered in the
reign of peace to be made permanent by
a government of liberty under the law.