Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09

provided, IN tne interests VI lllo
islands, for reduction of twenty-five
per cent in the tariff on Filipino artl-
cles brought to this country. | asked
that still further reduction should De
made 1t was not granted by the last
congress, but think that in some
shape it will be granted by the next
| And even without it, the record OF leg
| islation in the interests of the Fill
pinos is one with which we have a
fright to feel great satisfaction.
Relieved Suffering.
Moreover, congress appropriated So
100000, following the precedent it set
when the people of Porto Rico We're
j afflicted by sudden disaster; this mon
ey to be used by the Philippine govern
Iment in order to meet the distress oc-
|casioned primarily by the terrible cat
tie disease which almost annihilated
1.-THE carabao or water-buffalo, the chief
and most important domestic animal
in the islands. Coming as this disaster
did upon the heels of the havoc
wrought by the insurrectionary war
great suffering has been caused; and
this misery for which this government
lis in no way responsible will doubtless
in turn increase the difficulties of the
Philippine government for the next
year or so. In consequence there will
doubtless here and there occur spor-
adic increases of the armed brigand--
age to which the islands have been ha-
bituated from time immemorial, and
here and there for their own purposes
the bandits may choose to style them
selves patriots or inSurrectionists; but
these local difficulties will be of little
consequence save as they give occa.
sion to few men here at home again
to try to mislead our people, Not only
has the military problem in the Phil
ippines been worked out quicker anG
better than we had dared to expect
but the progress socially and in civil
government has likewise exceeded oul
fondest hopes.
Plans Advocated by Patriots.
Remember always that in the hill
ippines the American government has
tried and is trying to carry out exactly
what the greatest genius and most rev
cred patriot ever known in the Philip
pine Island-Jose Rizal-steadfastl
: advocated. This man, shortly before
his death, in message to his country
men, under date of December 16, 1896
condemned unsparingly the Insured
ton of Aguinaldo, terminated just be
fore our navy appeared upon the scene
and pointed out the path his peopl
which dishonors us before the Filipino'
ment Speaking of the insurrectiol
, and of the pretense that Filipino indie
: pendence of wholesale characte
y could thereby be obtained, he wrote
Would Have Given Life.
: When, in spite of my advice,
e movement was begun, offered of m.
y own accord, not only my services, blu
l. my life and even my good name to b.
e used in any way they might believ
d effective in sitting the rebellion.
0 thought of the disaster which woult
/. follow the success of the revolution
and deemed myself fortunate If b,
any sacrifice could block the progress
Of such a useless calamity
u My countrymen, / have given proc
= that ! was one who sought liberty fo
Il our country, and j still SEEK it. But
y a first step l insisted upon the deve
l. opment of the people in order that, b
u means of education and of labor the
, might acquire the proper individus
Il character and force which would max
= them worthy of it. In my writings
: have commended to you study an
u civic virtue, without which our r.
u demption does not exist.
u cannot do less than condemn, and
8 do condemn, this absurd and savag
insurrection planned behind my bacl
which dishonors us before the Filipino
e and discredits us with those who OF
e erwise would argue in our behalf.
N abominate it's cruelties and disavo
a. any kind of connection with it, regre
Of ting with all the sorrow of my so
lie that these reckless men have above
N themselves to be deceived. Let the
N return, then, to their homes, and ma
in God pardon those who have acted
IL bad faith"
re Embodies Policy of the v. S.
X The message embodied precise
~ and exactly the avowed policy upt
u which the American government hi
le acted in the Philippines. What II
,e patriot Rial said with such force
re speaking of the insurrection before '
d. came to the islands, applies with tie
" fold greater force to those who fo'
70 iishly or wickedly opposed the mi
u and beneficent government we we
y instituting in the islands. The jud
~ ment of the martyred public servar
,. Rial, whose birthday the Philippil
IN people celebrate and whom they We
:, ship as their hero and ideal, sets for
- the duty of American sovereignty;
~ duty from which the American peoI
u will never finch.
20 Have Reduced Cost.
p. While we have been doing the
ro- great and beneficent works in the
lands, we have yet been steadily
ducing the cost at which they are dol
The last congress repealed the law
as the war taxes, and the war departing
ie- has reduced the army from the ma
lly umu number of 100000 allowed unt
m the law to very nearly the minimu
VII of 10000.
ny Endorses Militia Bill.
gu Moreover the last congress enact
" w. some admirable legislation Affect
ie. the army, passing first of all the M
20 tia bill and then the bill to create
NJ general staff. The militia bill rep
Up sents the realization OF reform viii
~ had been championed ineifectively
IN Washington, and has been fruitles