The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1902-03-29
(By Associated Press.)

(By Associated Press)
Washington, March 29.--The president
today sent to the house OF representa-
tives the correspondence and the papers
bearing on the request of Lieutenant
General Miles to be assigned To duty In
the Philippines. The papers were sent TO
the house in response TO n resolution in
troduced by Mr. Burleson OF Texas and
passed by that body. They are as fol-
lows:
headquarters OF the Army, WASH
ington FEB. IL. 1902-The Honorable,
the Secretary of War.--Sir: / have tho
honor to invite attention to n subject
which ] have had under consideration
for several months and to request that
this letter be laid before the president.
1t ~ now three years since the opening
of hosillltles between the forces of the
United States and those of the Phil
ippine 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 40 900 still
remain 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 Indians have been called to the cap
ltal for consultation and council and
| have, under authority, sent to WASH
ington many red-handed representatives
OF different tribes OF Indians, the result
of which has been n reconciliation, n
restoration OF confidence, the prevention
OF war and the establishment and con-
tlnunnoe ot peace within The state and
territories.
Comparative Conditions.
"Our friendly relations with the people
OF Cuba ana Porto Rico have been
largely promoted by consultation with
the representatives Of those islands
here In Washington. both before hostile
ties occurred, during the Spanish war
and since, and | have never found any
people, whether savage, seml-civllized
or civilized who were not benefited by
candid, frank and honest consultation
and council
In view of the above consideration. I
make the request that / be authorized to
proceed 70 the Philippine islands, taking
with me 10 men whom | may select
from cuba and Porto Rico, whose assist
ance has been found useful In promoting
friendly relations between the people OF
those Islands and the United States and
could properly explain to the Filpinos
the benefits their people have derived
through friendly relations with this
country and, while there, TO give such
directions as ! may deem advisable and
judicious for the best disposition of the
United States military forces, TO the end
that they may occupy the most health
ful and strategic positions, with due re-
6ard to economy and be afforded the
,t.,t .f,..,t 1.gsa ala 10
take such measures as will tend to re-
store, as far as possible, confidence to
the people OF those islands and demon
strate that the purpose OF our govern
ment Is promoted by the highest sense
OF justice; and that on returning ! be
authorized to bring to the capital such
number OF representative Filipnos as |
may think advisable, in order that they
may see and know the advantages Of our
civilization and realize the disposition OF
our government toward them at the
same time, affording an opportunity for
a full consultation, whereby intelligent
and definite action may be taken con-
cerning their future destiny.
Would Be Beneficial
ut Is confidently believed that such
measures could then be taken as would
then be satisfactory and beneficial to
the ten millions Of nhabitants of the
islands and highly ereditable TO our gov
ernment. BY this means we would be
fully informed of the condition and
wants Of the people Of those islands and
they on the other hand, would become
fully apprlsed of the purpose and final
disposition of our government toward
them. This need not reflect In the slight
est degree upon the service of the mill
tary, nor interfere with civil govern
ments that have or may be established.
Should this request be approved, l