Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-03-29
NILES HAD . A SCHEME
He Wanted to Go to the Philip
pines and Put It Into
Operation.
Secretary Root and President
Roosevelt Turned Plans Down
as Impracticable.
Correspondence and Papers on
the Subject Placed Before
Congress.

dent today sent to the house the cor
respondence and papers bearing the
request of Lieutenant General Miles to
be assigned to duty in the Philippines
in response to the resolution intro
Iduced by Burleson, of Texas ana
|passed by that body. The correspon-
ldence is voluminous and opens with
a letter from Miles, February II, adj
dressed to the secretary of war, with
the request that it be laid before the
lpresident, outlining his plan.
"Sir, have the honor to invite at
|tention to subject that l have had
under consideration for several months
and to request that this letter be laid
before the president. 1t is now three
years since the opening of hostilities
between the United States and those
lin the Philippine islands and this war :
fare has been conducted with marked
severity. More than 10000 United
States troops have been at different
|times sent or are now under orders
Ito go to the Philippines and more than
40,0 900 still remain on duty there, which
service. assisted by naval force, has
|entailed enormous expenditure of pub
Ilic money as wen as the loss of many
valuable lives. During the past CEN
Itury thousands of Indians have been
|called to the capital for consultation
and council, and I have, under au-
/ thority, sent to Washington many red
handed representatives of different
tribes of Indians, the result of which
has been reconciliation, restoration of
confidence, prevention of war, and es-
Establishment and continuance of peace
within the states and territories. Our
friendly relations with the people of
Cuba and Porto Rico have been large
lily promoted by consultation with the
Representatives of those islands here
in Washington, both before hostilities
occurred during the Spanish war, and
since, and have never found any peo-
pie, whether savage. semi-civilized,
or civilized, who were not benefited
/ by frank, honest consultation and
council.
"In view of the above considerations
will request that I be authorized to
proceed to the Philippines islands, TAX
ing with men whom may select from
Cuba and Porto Rico, whose assistance
has been found useful in promoting
1 friendly relations between the people
Of those islands and the United States.
and who could properly explain to the
Filipinos the benefits their people have
derived thru friendly relations with
this country, and while there to give
such directions as may deem advisa-
BILE and judicious for the best dispo-i
1 ~ r-tf Ctot itar
forces, to the end that they may occupy
the most healthful and stratgetic posi-
tions. with due regard to economy. and
be afforded the greatest comfort and
benefit; also to take such measures as
will tend to restore, as far as possible
confidence to the people OF these
| islands, and demonstrate that the pur-
pose of our government is promoted by
| the highest sense of justice: and that
on returning l be authorized to bring
| to the capital such number of repre-
sentative Filipinos as l may think adj
visable In order that they may see
and know the advantages of our civil
| ization and learn of the disposition of
our government toward them, at the
same time affording an opportunity for
full consultation, whereby intelligent
and definite action may be taken con-
cerning their future destiny. 1t is con-
| fdently believed such measures could
then be begun as would be satisfactory
and beneficial to the ten millions in
habitants of the Philippins islands and
highly creditable to our government.
| "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
apprised of the purpose and final dispo-
sition of our government toward them.
This need not reflect in the slightest
degree upon the services of the military
nor Interfere with the civil govern
ments that have been established.
Should this request be approved,
am confident 1t would result in better
condition of our military forces in that
division. In the cessation of hostili-
ties within a reasonable time, thereby
permitting the return of a large num-
ber of our troops from those remote and
unhealthful stations and, should hope,
| in an amicable adjustment of affairs in
these islands which would be satisfac-
tory to the inhabitants thereof as we'll
as to the people of the United States
Following is Secretary Roots reply:
Respectfully forwarded to the presi-
dent, disapproved. The conduct of the
military affairs in the Philippines by
General Chaffee and predecessors and
the conduct of civil affairs by Governor
Taft and his associates on the Philip
pine commission, have been eminently
successful. Much more rapid progress
has been made toward complete ac-
ceptance of American sovereignty, res
toration of peace and the establishment
of civil government than we had any
right to anticipate when the treaty of
Paris was ratified. The plan proposed
in the within paper involves practically
the superseding of the officers men,
toned in the control which they now
exercise. Not only is this without jus
tification in their conduct, but should
regard it as a most unfortunate inter-
ference with the present satisfactory
progress. There has been an exceed
ingly full, extended and ong-continued
consultation and counsel between the
government of the United States and
the leaders of opinion among the insur-
rectionary Filipinos, resulting in a full
understanding and most friendly feel
Ing between by far the greater part Of