The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-03-30
White House, March %, 1902.
Miles Advises Council.

Headquarters of the Army, Washing
ton, FEB II, 1902 The Honorable, the
Secretary of War-Dear sir: | have the
honor to invite attention to subject
that I.have had under consideration tor
several months, and to request that this
letter be laid before the president.
1t is now three years since the opening
of hOstiities between the United states
forces and those in the Philippine islands
and this warfare has been c0nducte1
with marked severity. More than &C.,
600 United States troops have been at
different times sent or are now under
orders to go to the Philippines and 1lole
than 10000 still remain on duty there
which service, with the assistance IF the
penditure of public money as well as the
loss of many valuable lives.
During the past century thousands of
Indians have been called to the capital
tor consultation and counsel and I ave,
under authority, sent to Washington
many red-handed representatives of diff
ferent tribes of Indians, the result of
which has been a reconciliation, Il restor-
alton of confidence, the prevention of
war and the establishment and c0ntin-
uance of peace within the states and
territories.
Our friendly relations with the people
of Cuba and Porto Rico have been largely
promoted by consultation with the rep
TeSentatiVeS of those islands here In
Washington, both before hostilitics &C.
Cured, during the Spanish war, and
since, and I have never found any people
whether savage, semi-ciViliZed or civil
lied, who were not benefited by candid,
frank and honest consultation and cOun-
ell.
Asks Authority to Act.
In view of the above considerations,
make the request that L be authorized
to proceed to the Philippine islands, TAX
ing with me ten men whom 1 may select
from Cuba and Porto Rico whose as
sistance has been found useful in pro-
f,sfo hnfV on hn
people Of those islands and the United
States and those who could properly eX-
plain to the Filipinos the benefits their
people have derived through friendly re-
lations with this country, and While
there to give such directions as l may
deem advisable and judicious for the best
disposition of the United States military
forces to the end that they may occupy
the most healthful and strategic posi-
tons with due regard to economy and
be afforded the greatest comfort and
berefit also to take such measures as
will tend to restore as far as possible
confidence to the people of those islands
and demonstrate that the purpose Of
our government is promised by the
highest sense of justice; and that on
returning [ be authorized to bring to
the capital such number of representa-
tive FflipinOs as l may think advisable
in order that they may see and know the
advantages of our civilization and realize
the disposition of our government to-
ward them, a the same time affording
an opportunity for full consultation
whereby intelligent and definite action
may. be taken concerning their future
destiny.
1t is confidently believed that such
measures could then be taken as would
be satisfactory and beneficial to the
1O,O00090 of inhabitants of the Philippine
islands and highly creditable to our
government.
Root DisapprOves the Plan.
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 appraised
of the purpose and final disposition of
our government toward them. This need
not reflect in the slightest degree on the
services of the military, nor will it affect
the civil government that has been or
may be established
Should this request be granted, I am
confident it would result in a better con-
dlton of our military forces in that divt-
sion, In the cessation of hostiities with
IN reasonable time, thereby permitting
the return of a large number of our
troops from those remote and unheaIth-
ful stations, and l hope in an amicable
adjustment of affairs in those islands
which would be satisfactory to the in
habitants thereof as well as to the PEG