River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-04-03

| Washington. March 3l.--lne prcsi-
dent Saturday sent to the house of
| representatives the correspondence
and papers bearing upon the re-
| quest of Lieut.. Gen. Miles to be as
signed to duty in the Philippines.
| The papers were sent to the house IN
| by Mr.. Burleson, of Texas. and
| passed by that body. They are as
| follows:
| To the Hot !. of Representatives: In
| response to the following resolution Of the
| house OF representatives of March =. wv.
| Resolved, That the president of the United
| States be, and he Is hereby respectfully re-
quested, il not incompatible with the puD-
| lie interest, to transmit TO the house copies
| of all correspondence relating TO. ana pa
| pers bearing on. the matter of the reported
request of Lieut.. Gen. Nelson a. MHes.
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 10 bring about a cessation
of hostilities,' ] transmit herewith copies
of all the papers upon which nnal ACTON
in the matter was taken.
"Since such final action. and since the
Introduction of said resolution, 1urlheT
memorandum has been added to the pa
pers by Lieut.. Gen. Miles, and ] transmit
thereon.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
white House. March %, 1901"
Letter of Gen. Miles.
Headquarters of the Army. Washing
ton, Feb. II. 1902.-Tbe 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 20 request that this letter be laid be-
fore the president.
TT is now three years since the opening
of hostilities 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 70 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
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, a restoration of confidence.
the prevention of war, and the establish
ment ard continuance of peace within the
states and territories.
Our friendly relations with the people
promoted by consultation with the repre-
sentatives of those Islands here in Wash
ington both before hostilties occurred.
during the Spanish war and since; and !
have never found any people, whether saw
age, semi-civlized or civilized, who were
not benefited by candid, frank and honest
consultation and council
AsLssto Resent to Philippines.
I'm view of the above considerations, l
make the request that ] 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 in promoting friendly
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 and 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-
lions, with due regard to economy, and be
afforded the greatest comfort and benefit;
also to take such measures a will tend to
restore, 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
resertative Filipinos as / may think adj
visable in order that they may see and
know the advantages of our civilization
and realize the disposition of our govern
ment. toward them, a the same time af-
fordng an opportunity for a full consulta-
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 ard beneficial 10 the
10, 600, coo Of inhabitants of the Philippine
islands and highly creditable to our govern
Ynent.
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 disposition OF our
COVE Tnment toward them. ThisSneed not
reflect In the slightest degree upon the
services of the military, nor interfere with
the civil governments that have been or
may be established.
SHOULD this request be approved, I am
confident 1t would result in 3 better condi-
ton of our military forces in that division,
in the cessation of hostiities within rea-
sonable time, thereby permitting the re-
turn of a large number of our troops from
those remote and unhealthful stations,
and. / should hope, In amicable dd-
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, Nelson A Miles,
Lieutenant General, Commanding United
States Army.
Roots Letter of DisnpprovRI.
War Department. Washington, March
g. 1902.-Respectfully forwarded to the pres
ident. disapproved.
1.-The conduct of military affairs in the
Philippines by Gen. Chaffee and his pred