Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-01
His Methods Of Ending Philip
pine War Made Public.
WOULD TALK IT OVER
Congress Gets Correspondence of
Ranking Army Officer in Which He
Sets Forth His Idea of How Trouble
in East Could Be Settled.

washington, March 29.-The PreSl-
dent today sent to the house cores
pondence and papers bearing upon the
request of Lieutenant General Miles to
be assigned to duty in the Philippines
in response to the resolution intro
duced by Bulleson. CT Texas, and
passed by that body.
The correspondence is voluminous
and opens with a letter from Miles
dated February II, addressed to the
secretary of war; with the request that
it be laid before the President, out
lining his plan.
Preliminaries.
He begins with reference to the
large number OF troops that have
been sent out and are under orders to
go TO the Philippines, and the large
| expenditure of public money and loss
of life during the past three years.
Cites Indians as Example.
He calls attention to the fact that
! thousands of Indians have visited
Washington for consultation which re,
suited in the prevention of hostilities
and says our friendly relations with
| the people of Cuba were largely pro-
NOTED by consultation with represen.
tatives of those islands in Washington
Wants to Discuss Matters With Them,
In view of these considerations Miles
requests That | be authorized to pro-
coed to the Philippines 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
Filipinos the benefits their people have
! derived through friendly relations
with this country. and while there to
| give such direction as | may deem ad.
! visable and judicious for the best dis.
| position of the United States military
forces, to the end that they may occu.
by the most healthful and strategic
positions and be afforded the greatest
/ comfort and benefits; also to take ,nea.
sures as well tend to restore as far
as possible. the confidence of people
! in those islands and demonstrate that
! the purpose of our government is pro-
noted by a highest sense of justice
and that on returning | be authorized
to bring to the capital such represen.
tative Filipinos as | may think advis
able in order that they may see and
know the advantage of our civilization
| and realize the disposition of our gov
eminent toward them"
In Conclusion.
! Miles concluded by saying the plan
need not reflect in the slightest degree
upon the service of the military and
need not interfere with the civil gov.
ernments established
Root Disapproves.
March Secretary Root forwarded
Miles letter to the President with his
Idisapproval. Root says the conduct of
military affairs under Chaffee and the
civil affairs under Taft has been able
and successful. He says it involves
practically superceding the officers
mentioned in the control which they
now occupy. Not only is this without
justification in their conduct but |
should regard it as a most unfortunate
interference with present satisfactory
progress"
He points out there has been ex
tended consultation between the gov.
eminent and t1llplnoS with the result
that full understanding has been had
and most friendly feeling establish
ed between the greater part of the
Filpinos and ourselves.
He also says the war has been con
Quoted with marked humanity and
magnanimity on the part of the United
States.
Root Says 1t Would Be Spectacular
Regarding the taking of delegations
for Cubans and Porto Ricans to the
Philippines. or bring Filipinos to the
United States, the secretary saws il
would be difficult to keep such a pro
ceeding free from the spectacular anC
sensational features which would be
Injurious.
The secretary appends a list oil
twenty-three officers of the insurrec
tionary army holding positions OF trust
under this government.
Miles Replies.
Miles replied to the secretary OF wal