Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1902-04-03

request of Lieut.. Gen. Nelson A. Miles.
United States army, to be assigned to duty
in the Philippine archipelago, and to be al
lowed to be put into effect there plan out
lined by him to bring about cessation
of hostilities,' I transmit herewith copies
of ali the papers upon which final action
In the matter was taken.
"Since such final action, and since the
Introduction of said resolution, further
memorandum has been added to the pa
pers by Lieut.. Gen. Miles, and ! transmit
also copy thereof together with the action
.THEoDoRER ROOSEVELT.
"White House, March q. 1902
Letter Of Gen. Miles.
Headquarters Of the Army, Washing
ton, Feb. Il, l902.-The Honorable, the Sec
rotary Of War.-Sir: / have the honor to
invite attention to a subject that have had
under consideration for several months.
and TO request that this letter be laid be-
fore the president.
1T Sis now three years since the opening
OF hosttlities between the United States
forces and those in the Philippine islands,
and this warfare has been conducted with
marked severity. More than 10000 United
States troops have been at different times
sent or are now under orders to go to the
Philippines, and more than 10000 still re-
main on duty there, which service, with
the assistance of the naval forces, involves
an enormous expenditure of public money
as well as the loss of many valuable lives.
During the past century thousands of
4 Indians have been called to the capital for
consultation and council, and have, under
authority, sent to Washington many red
handed representatives of different tribes
of Indians, the result of which has been a
reconciliation, restoration of confidence,
"a the prevention Of war, and the establish
1nent and continuance 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 repre-
sentatives Of those islands here in Wash
ington, both before hostilities occurred,
during the Spanish war and since; and ]
have never found any people, whether saw
age, semi-civiized or civilized, who were
not benefited by candid, frank and honest
consultation and council.
Asks to BE Sent to Philippines.
SIN view. of the above considerations,
make the request thar / 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 III promoting friendly
5 relations between the people OF those is
lands and the United States, and who could
properly explain to the Filipinos the bene-
fits their people have derived through
friendly relations with this country, and
while there to give such directions as
may deem advisable ard 'judicious for the
best disposition OF the United States mill
itary forces. to the end that they may oc-
cupy the most healthful and strategic posi-
SaffoFdsd the greatest comfort and benefit;
also tel tak6 such tend 10
II restore, Is far as possible confidence to
the people of those Islands, and demon
strate that the purpose of our government
is promoted by the highest sense of JUS
tice; and that on returning be authorized
to bring to the capital such number of rep
y feseHtative FilipiTios asst may think ad-
visable, in order that they may see and
know the advantages of our civilization
and realize the disposition of our govern
ment toward them. at the same time af-
efofdange an opportunity sforaas fnll eonsulta-
ton, whereby intelligent and definite ac-
ton 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
lo:0ooOo0 Of inhabitants of the Philippine
,asaasf a'a efn's SFsaHaD'11 g our govern
SLY thifmeans# we 1oulh be fully in
formed OF the cofTditionaand wants of the
people of those islands, and they. on the
other hand. would become fully apprised
Of the purpose and final dispesition Of our
reflect in the slightest degree upon the
services OF the military. nor interfere with
the civil gpvernmeats that have been Or
may be established. j aP a.
Should this request be approved. am
confident it would result in a better condi-
ton of our military forces in that division.
in the cessation of hostilitfes within rea-
sonable time, thereby permitting the re-
turn of large number of our troops from
those remote and sunhealthful stations.
and, Should hope, in an amicable adj
4 justment of affairs in those islands which
would be satisfactory to the inhabitants
thereof as well as to the people of the
United tSates.
very respectfully. Mellon A. Miles,
Lieutenant General, Commanding United
States Army
Roots Letter Of Disapproval.
War Department, Washington. March
5. 1902.-Respectfully forwarded to the pres
ident. disapproved.
-.@The conduct Of military affairs in the
Philippines by Gen. Chaffee and his pred
ecessors and the conduct Of civil affairs
by Gov. Taft and his associates in the Phil
ippine commission, have been able and
successful Much more rapid progress has
been made toward the complete acceptance
of American sovereignty, the restoration
Of peace and the establishment Of civil
government than we had any right to an-
ticipate when the treaty Of Paris was rati-
/. fled. The plan proposed in the within pa
per involves practically superseding the
officers mentioned In the control which they
now exercise. Not only is this without
justification in their conduct, but / should
regard It as most unfortunate interior
Sence with the present satisfactory prog
ress. There have been exceedingly fun,
extended and long continued consultation,
and counsel between the government 4of the
United States and the leaders. Of opinion
among the insurrectionar5 Fflipinos, re-
friendly feeling BETWEEN by Gar she greater.
part o83the Filipino people ana Ourselves,
and participation by many members Of
the Aguinaldo government in the civil gov
eminent under American sovereignty.