The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-03-29

ington, both before hostiIities occurred.
during the Spanish war. and since; and
have never founG any people whether
. savage, semi civilized. or civilized who
were not benefited by candid. frank, and
honest consultation and council
His Plan IN Detail.
In view OF the above considerations. 1
make the request that be authorized to
! proceed TO the Philippine Islands. taking
with me ten men whom / may select from
Cuba and Porto Rico. whose assistance
has been found useful in promoting
friendly relations between the people of
those islands and the United States. and
who could properly explain to the Fill
plnos the benefits their people have de-
rived through friendly relations wIJh this
country, and while there 70 give such di-
rections as ! may deem advisable and
JudiclOus for the best disposition Of the
United States military forces. to the end
that they may occupy the most healthful
and strategic positions. with due regard
10 economy. and be afforded the greatest
comfort and benefit; also TO take such
measures as will tend 10 restore. as far
as possible. confidence to the people Of
those islands, and demonstrate that the
purpose OF our Government IS prompted
by the highest sense Of justice; and that
on returning I be authorized TO bring 20
the Capital such number Of reE resenta-
tive Filipinos as I may think advisable.
in order that they may see and know the
advantages Of cur civilization and realize
the disposition OF our Government to-
ward them, at the same time -1ording
an opportunity for a full consultation
whereby intelligent and definite action
may be taken concerning their future des-
tiny II is confidently believed that such
measures could then be taken as would
be satisfactory and beneficial to the ten
millions Of inhabitants Of the Philippine
Islands and highly creditabIe to our
Government.
His Belief as to Results
BY this means we would be fully in
formed Of the condition and wants of the
people Of those islands, and they. on the
other hand, would become fully apprized
OF the purpose and final disposition Of our
Government toward them This need not
reflect in the slightest degree upon the
services Of the military. nor interfere
with the civil governments that have been
or may be established
Should this request be approved 7 am
confident Il would result in a better con
dition Of our military forces in that di-
VISION, IN the cessation Of hOstiIities
within a reasonable time. thereby permit
ting the return of a large number Of our
troops from those remote and unhealrbful
stations. and, I should hope in a..
amicable adjustment OF affairs in those
islands which would be satisfactory to the
Inhabitants thereof as well as to tbe
people Of the United States. Very re-
specuully, NELSON A. MILES
Lieutenant General, commanding United
States Army.
Secretary Roots Comment.
Secretary Root forwarded the gener-
ais proposition to the President. disap-
proved, and in the course Of his comment
upon it, after referring to the frequent
and extended conference between the
Government and the friendly FiIfDiuos
and the friendly feeling existing. said:
IL is not perceived that any additional
benent would be obtained by taking dele
cations OF Cubans and Porto Ricaus 10 the
Philippines, or by bringing DELEGATIONS
from the Philippines TO the United states.
IN advance OF the choice Of official dele
gates provided for by the bill now pend
ing in Congress. On the other hand. II
would be very difficult 10 keep such a pro-
ceeding free from spectacular and sensa-
tional features, which would be injurious.
Il IS not the fact that the warfare in
the Philippines has been conducted with
marked severity; on the contrary. the
warfare has been conducted with marked
humanity and magnanimity on the part Of
the United States Army.
General Miles Reply.
On March a General Miles took I'D
the matter again and defended his propo-
sition in another communication to the
Secretary Of War, in the course Of which
he said that his comment that the war