The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-04-03
GEN. MILE,' OFFER.
Full Text of Philippine Poll y
As Given to Congress
specia, to the DAILY HERALD.


response to the following resolution of the
house OF representatives of March 20, 1902,
Resolved, That the president of the United
States be- and he is hereby respectfully re-
quested. If not incompatible with the pub
lie interest, to transmit to the house copies
OF all correspondence relating to, and pa
pers bearing on. the matter OF the reported
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 a cessation
of hostilities. l transmit herewith copies
of all the papers upon which final action
In the matter was taken.
"Since such final action, and since the
Introduction of said resolution, a further
memorandum has been added to the pa
pers by Lieut.. Gen. Miles, and transmit
also copy thereof together with the action
thereon.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
"White House, March %. 1902
Letter of Gen. Miles.
Headquarters OF the Army, Washing
ton, Feb. II, l902.-The Honorable, the Sec
rotary of War.-Sir: l have the honor to
invite attention to subject that have had
under consideration Tor several months,
and to request that this letter be laid be-
fore the president.
sit is now three years since the opening
forces and those in the Philippine islands,
and this warfare has been conducted with
marked severity. More than 200 United
States troops have been at different times
sent or are now under orders to go to the
Philippines, and more than 1000 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, restoration of confidence,
the prevention of war, and the establish
ment 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 hostilties occurred,
during the Spanish war and since; and
have never found any people, whether saw
age, semi-civilized or civilized, who were
not benefited by candid. frank and honest
consultation and council
Asks to BE Sent to Philippines.
an view Of the above considerations, I
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 l
may deem advisable and tudicious for the
best disposition of the United States mil
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 as Will tend to
restore, as 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
resentative Filipinos as l 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-
fording an opportunity for 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 and beneficial to the
100000 of Inhabitants of the Philippine
islands and highly creditable to our govern
ment.
"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 Anal disposition of our
government toward them. This need 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, l am
confident II would result In better condi-
ton of our military forces in that division
in the cessation of hostilities within rea-
sonable time, thereby permitting the re.
turn of large number OF our troops from
those remote and unhealthful stations,
and, I should hope, in an amicable ad'
tustment of affairs in those islands which
would be satisfactory to the inhabitant!
thereof as well as to the people Of the
United tSates.
Every respectfully, Nelson A. Miles
Lieutenant General, Commanding United
States Army"
Roots Letter of Disapproval.
"war Department, Washington. Marcel
s. 1sO2.-Respectfully forwarded to the pres
ident, disapproved.
"The conduct of military affairs in tn
PHILIPPINES by Gen. Chaffee and his pred
ecessors and the conduct of civil affair
by Gov. Taft and his associates in the Phil
ippine commission, have been able ant
successful Much more rapid progress ha
been made toward the complete acceptance
of American sovereignty, the restoration
Of peace and the establishment of civl
government than we had any right TO an
tfcipate when the treaty OF Paris was rati
fed. The plan-proposed in the within pa
per involves practically superseding tn
In no W 10
now exercise. Not only Is this withou
justification in their conduct. but l shoul
regard Il as a most unfortunate interior
ence with the present satisfactory prog
ress, There have been exceedingly full
extended and long continued consultation
and counsel between the government OF tn
limited States and the leaders OF opinio
among the insurrectionary Flipinos, re
suItIng in a full understanding and mos
friendly feeling between by far the create
mart Of the Filipino people and ourselves
and a participation by many members Q
the Aguinaldo government In the civil gov
eminent under American sovereignty.
1T append hereto list OF % officers
the insurrectionary government who no'
hold positions Of trust under our govern
ment Agulnaldo himself has taken tn
position of earnestly urging his country
men to accept our sovereignty, and mos
Of them have already followed his ADVICE
at is not perceived that any ADDITIONS
benefit would be obtained by taking oeie
cations OF Cubans and Porto Ricans 70 IN
Philippines, or by bringing delegation
from : the Philippines to the Unite
States, In advance OF the choice OF ofncis
delegates provided for by the bill no,
pending In congress. n the other hand.
would be very difficult to keep such pro
| ceeding free from spectacular and sensa
tional features. which would be Injurious
at IL not the fact that the warfare i
| fbe phiIfnninea has baeu conducted witt