The Butler Weekly Times Newspaper, December 7, 1899, Page 4

PRESIDENT’S VIEWS. Annual State Paper Submitted to the Nation’s Lawmakers. Belicitoes Remarks Upon the Country's Financial and Commerciat Condition— Much Attention Given to Affairs in <ubs, Porto Rico and Philippines. Washington, Dec. 5.—President Mc- Kinley to-day transmitted the follow- ing message to the Fifty-sixth con- @ress: ‘To the Senate and House of Representatives At te threshold of your deliberations you are allied 1 mourn with your countrymen the des Of Vice President Hobart, who passed from iife on the morning of Ni vember 2 Hie good Sou) now resis in eternal peace his priva Mife was pure and elevated. while bis public eureer was ever dist nguished by large capacity StL «=S integrity. and exaited motives He has teen removed from the hizh office which he Rhonered und dignified. wut his iofty character Bis cevetion w duty honesty of purpos and nobie virtues remain with us, as a price. Regacy and examp his As to the Country's Condition. The Fiity-sixth congress cons in its fir res 1 session with the country a cond tic f unusual prosperity. of universal vood wil @mcny the people at home. and in relati peace wud friendship with every goverom the world. Our foreizn commerce has gress nerease in volume and value ‘The Dined imports and exports for t mstever shown inasin le ye: in all our ry. Our exports for 1s alone exceed e than #1,6:0,000,000 our imports and ex combined in 1870. The imports pt at. Jess than in 8 J, while per cent. more the enlarved capacity o 0 satisfy the v year ts of incre s to contribute to t tions Of menufactured pr 59 ?,146, b Ss own + were ts we expo ing lar is a noteworthy rs.in all our hist of our manufactories sold 18%. Government receiy the ai year ended June $14. part payment of the Cent road indebted: Customs rec and those from internal revenue, 327 the fiscal year the expenditures we ©9 566.0, leaving a deticit of secretary of the treasury estin ‘ceipts for the current fi 64 SER YIP. and upon the str The Trausvaai War. This government has maintained an sttituie of neutrality in the unfortunate contest between | Great Britain and the Boer states of Africa. We have remained faithful to the preceptof avoiding entangling alliances as to affairs not of our direct concern. Had circumstances sug- gested that the parties to the quarrel would | have welcomed any kindly expression of the hope of the American people that war might be averted, good offices would have been gladly tendered. The United States representative at Pretoria was early instructed to see that all ‘ neutral American int+rests be respected by the combatants. This has been an easy tas<¢ in view of the positive declarations on both Brit- | ish and Boer authorities that the personal and | property rights of our citizens should be ob- ously to the formation of tue combinaticn were carried on separately. i It is universally conceded that combinations which engross or control the market of any particu ar kind of merchandise or commodity necessary to the general community, by sup- pressing natural and ordinary competition. whereby prices are unduly enhanced to the general consumer, are obnoxious not only to the common law, but also to the pub.ic welfare. There must be # r-medy for the evils involved in such organizations. If the present law can be extended more certainly to contro! or these monopolies or trusts, it should be done without delay. Whatever power the congress possesses over this most important subject shc u d be promptly ascertained and asserte i An wet to protect trade and commerce nst unlawful restraints and monopulies was passed | served by congress on the 2d of July, is90. ‘The pro- | Upon the withdrawal of the British agent at visi nsof this statute are comprehensive and | Pretoria the United States consul was autbor- strinvent. It declares every contract or eom- | ized, upon the request of the Britisa govern- bination, in the form of a trust or othe ment and with the assent of the South African Wise, or conspiracy in the restraint of tra and Orange Free Stat: governments. to exer- commerce: amony the several states or with cise the customary good offices of a neutral for foreign nations, to be unlawful. It denomi- the care of British interests. In the discharge nates as a criminal any person who makes any | of this function i am happy to say thatabundant such contract or engages in any such combina opportunity has been afforded to show the im- tion or conspireey and provides a punishment | partiality of this government toward both the | ne or LMI ment. It invests the circuit | combatants. j courts of the United S nh jurisd Wants a Cable to Manila. | Of the act end | whe sanenene ec pions ‘ al United States ; span zov ment ha: howna i tates | interest in the proposition of the Pacifi p direction of the | company w add to its proje:ted c nt ales it t strict attorneys, ively of the sev under t lin attorney general, to institute proceedinzs ia | Hawaii, Guam and the seer ie j equity to prevent and restrain sueh violation=. | connection with the co. st an. It would It further confers upon any person who shail | Sea pratitying © He Es choo a oy | of the contemplated s person or cor: in by reason of ansthing | ing Japan and the forbidden or declared to be unlawful by the act | 5 Pris paleo : pret ee ny cireuit | Gyservations of my speci : Ithe United States without resp-et to | 16 t499, cone : ntroversy, and to recover tree- | st anita | damages by him sustained and the | uit, including reasonable a be perceived that the act is ¢ combination in the nat take measures tu by the direct action of the a | zeneral be riz at or monop. raint of in-ers foe Klee aceeblickiient | or nte tional com : z makir the best respo; | The prosecution by the United States of of- | the contract. ta HIRE fenses under the act of #9) has been frequently | ample bonds to insure. the com : sorted to in the federal courts and notable ef- | work within a reasonable time. j forts in the restraint of interstate ree, ; ms : i : es The Probiem in Cuba. j such as the Transmissouri Freight association |, : igh j int ‘Traffic association, have been The withdrawal of Ry from the island of Cu )pposed and suppressed of January, so that t peace found the relinquish) us in trust for the inuabit direction of xecutive. such govern- 1 control therein as should der, restore the productive conditions of peace so long disturbed by the instability Inadequate. which President om the evils of trusts hatobject. This tent to the fa different views held by ining, w has failed to ac ve probably is due to a that different states take to discriminate ions the expenditures will a, aving a Surplus of 4°, 0) al year ended June 3, Is). the Anterpal revenue re eipts were increased about BSww.060,00. The present gratifying strength of the tressnry is shown by the fact thai on De- scember 1, 1809, the available cash b: was S20 4887.72 of which 8.39,744,9 5.35 was in golu coin and bullion. The conditions of conti- dence whieh prevail throughout the country Rave brought gold into more general use aud cusioms receipts are now almost entirely paid 4n that coin. Increased activity in industr®& with its wel- come aitendant—a larger employment for labor mt higher wayes—ives to the body of the peopie @larzer power to absorb the circu dium. It is further true that year by ye Jarger areas of land under cultivation reusing volume of agricultural products ‘ton. corn and wheat, calls for a larger vo of money supply. ‘Whe Nationa! Banking Act. In its earlier history the national banking act weemed to prove a reasunable avenue throneh whi h needful additions to the circulation could frem time to time be made. Changing condi- ions have upparentty render-d it now inope ttive tothatend. Tie high margin in bond se- securities required, resulting from large premi- ‘wms which government bonds command in the arizet, or the tax on note issues, or both oper- .* towether,, appear to be the influences ility the in- vot- une at wwhicb.dimpair its public u Mec a:tention of conzress is respectfully in- ‘wited to this important matter with the view of ing whether or not such reasonable can be made in the national t as will render its service in the par- banking n iculars here referred to more responsive to the people's needs. I again urge that national ban’ de wathorized to organize with a capital of 8 @0%. For the Gold Standard. Yurgently recommend that to support the ex- sting gold standard, and to maintain “the par- ity im value of the coins of the two metals (cold und silver) und the equal power of every dollar gtall times ia the market and in the payment of debts,” the secretary of the treasury be given additional power and charged with the @uty to seil United States bonds and to employ such other effective means as may be necessary to these ends. The uwuthor'ty should inciude ‘the power to sell bonds on long and short time, ‘as conditions may require, and should provide for a rate of interest lower than th t fixed by Bhe act of January 14, 1875. While there is now no commercial fright which wit idraws gold from the government, but, on the contrary, such cwidespread confidence that gold seeks the ‘treasury demanding paper money in exchange. cyet the very situation points to the present as ‘the most fitting time to make adequate provi- ssion to insure the continuance of the gold stand - ard and of public confidence in the abilit; and purpose of the government to meet all its obii- gations in the money which the civilized world Fecognizes os the be~t. The financ al transac- ‘tions of the government are conducted upon a gold basis. We receipt gold when we sell United ‘States bounds and use gold for their payment. “We are maintaining the parity of all the money ‘issued or coined by authority of the govern- mment. We are dving these things with the cumeans at hand. Happily at the present time we are not.compelled to resort to loans to supply gold. It hus been done in the past, however, and may have to be done in the future. It be- hooves us, therefore, to provide at once the best ‘means to meet the emergency when it arises, ial the best means are those which are the amost certain and economical. Those now au- horized have the virtue neither of directness or economy. We have already eliminated one of ‘the causes of our financial plicht and embar- wassment during the years 1893, 1894, 1895 and 38¥4. Our receipts nuw equal our expenditures; deficient revenues no longer create alarm. Let ‘ws remove the only remaining cause by confer- wing the [ull and necessary power on the secre- ‘tary of the treasury and impose upon him the duty to uphold the present gold standard and spreserve the coins of the two metals on a parity with each other. which is the repeatedly de- elared policy of the United States. in this connection I repeat my former recom- mendations that a portion of the gold holdings shall be placed in a trust fund from whicu greenbacks shall b2 redeemed upon presenta- tion, but when once redeemed shali not there- after be paid out except for gold. For a Merchant Marine. ‘The value of an American merchant marine fo the extension of our commercial trade and ‘the strengthening of our power upon the sea in- wites the immediate action of congress. Our mational development will be one-sided and un- satisfactory so long as the remarkable growth” f our inland industries remains unaccompa- qmied by progress on the seas. There is no lack <@f constituti nal authority for legislation which whali xive to the country maritime strength commensurate with its industrial schieventents wand with its rank among the nations of tne earth As to Trasta and Combinations ‘The imdustrial commission, created by the mct of the congress of June 18, 1898, has been engaged im extended hearings upon the dis- "puted questions involved in the subject of com- ‘Dinations in restraint of trade and competition. “They have not yet completed their investiga- ‘@ion of this subject, and the conclusions and wWecommendations at which they may arrive are ‘wndetermined. The subject is one giving rise ‘@o many divergent views ax to the nature tad ‘wariety or couse and extent of the injuries to ‘Bhe public which may result from large combi- mations concentrating more or less numerous ‘@@terprises and establishments, which previ- and disorder which prevailed the mbinations and thos 0 part of the pre g three de i “h are beneficial und ne up that tranquil development of the Pc Ss prosperity of the state whereby alone can be realized the high versity of: treatment wiS- | purpose, as proclaimed in the joint resi from this cause rea | adopted by the congress on the Isth of 4 parts of the ry to each other | tags. by whien the United States disclaimed any eiines in the conduct Ci | opposition or intention to exercise soverciznt business, have made the enforcement of state | jurisdiction or contro! over Cuba, except for the laws difficult. pacification thereof, and asserted its determi- itis apparent that uniformity of legislation ion when that was accomplished to leave the upon this subject in the several states is much to be desired. [tis to be hoped that such uni- formity founded in a wise and just discrimi- on between what is injurious and what is ul and necessary in business operations may be obtaine ad that means may be found for the congress within the limitations of its constitutional power so to supplement an effect- ive code of state legislation as to make a com- plete system of laws throughout the United States adequate to compel a general observance of t.e salutary rules to which I have reterre Favors the Nicaragan Canal. The Nicaragua canal commission which had been engaged upon the work of examination nd survey fora ship canal route across Nica- sua, having completed its labors and made its report. was dissolved on May 31. and on June 104 new commission, known 2s the isthmian canal commission, was organized under the terms of the act approved March 8, 1899, for the purpose of examining the American isthmus with a view todetermining the most practicable and feasible route for a ship canal across that isthmus, with its probable cost and other es- scatial details Good progress has been made. but under the law a comprehensive and com- | from the ashes of the past must needs be bound plete investigation is called for, which wil re- | to us by ties of singular intimacy and strength quire much labor and considerable time for its] if its enduring welfare is to be assured. accomplishment. The work will be prosecuted | Whether those ties shall be orzanic or conven- as expeditiously as possible and a report made | tiona’, the destinies of Cuba are in some rivht- at the earliest practicable date. The great im- | ful form and manner irrevocably linked with portance of this work cannot be too often or | our own. but how or how fir is for the future to too strongly pressed upon the attention of the | determine in the ripeness of events. Whatever Pon, In my message of a year ago I ex- | be the outcome, we must see toit that free Cuba pressed my views of the necessity of a canal | bea reality. nota name, a pervect entity. nota would link the tw at oceans, to which | hasty exper ment bezring within itseif the e e- i azain invite your consideration. The reasens | ments of failure Our mission. to accomplish then presented for early action are even stronzer | which we took up the waves of battle is not to now. be fultilled by turning adrift any loosely framed Our Interests in China, commonwealth to face the vicissitudes which In view of distur Sin the populous prov: | too ofien attend weaker states wacse natural inces of northern China. where are many of | wealth and abundant re ources fiset by the ur citizens, and of the imminence of disorder | incon -ruities of their political organization and r the c: pital and toward the seaboard. a | the recurring occasions for internal riva'ries to uard of marines was landed from the oston | sap their stren th and dissip»te their energies ationed during last winter in the legation | The grea‘est blessing wh ch can come to Cuba compound at Peking With the restoration of | is the restoration of her agrieultural and indus- order this protection was withdrawn. The in- | trial prosperity, which wiil sive employment to lerests of our citivens in that vast empire have | idle men and re-establish the pursuits of peace. nt been neglected durin: the past year Ade- | This is her chief and immed ate need. quate protection has been secured for our mis- | By the treaty of peace the Spanish poeple on sicnaries and some injur.es to their property | the is and have until Aprii 19.0, to elect uave been redressed whether they will remain ciiizens of Spain or American capital has sought ani found vari- | become citizens of Cub. Until then it cannot ous opportunities of competing to carry out the | be definitely ascertaintd who shall be entitied internal improvements which the imperial gov- | to partiipate in the formation of the gov- ernment is wisely encouraging, and to develop [ernment of Cuba By ttime the results of the natural resources of the empire Our trade | the census will have been tabulated, and we with China has continued to grow, and our com- | shall proceed to provide for elections which mercial rights under existing treaties have | will commit the municipal governments of the been everywhere maintained during the pust | island to the <flicers elected by the peopie. The year, as they will be in the future. The ex- | experience thus acquired will prove of great tension of the area open to international | vasue in the formation of a representative con- foreizn settlement at Shanghai and the opening | vention of the people to draft a constitution of the ports of Nanking, Tsing-Tao (Kiao | and establish a general system of independent Chac) and Ta-Lien-Wan to foreign trade and | government for the island. In the meantime settlement will doubtles. afford American en- | and so long as we exercis? cont-ol over the terprise additiona. facilities and new fields cf | island tae products of Cuba should have a which it will not be slow to take advantage market in the United States on as good terms In my message to congress of December 5, | and with as fivorable rates of duty as are given Isvs, L urged that the recommendaticn which | to the West India islands under treaties of re- had been mde to the speaker of the house of | ciprocity whien ssall be made representatives by the secretary of the tre: Concerning Oar Svidiers and Sallora. ury on the 1th of June, 18%, for an appropria- | Since my last annual message and in obedi- tion for a commission to study the commercial | ence to the acts of the -onzress of April 2: and and industrial cv r<:tiens in the Chinese empire | 26. 1998. the remaining volunteer force enlisted and report as tu ine upportunities for, and ob- | tor the Spani h war. consisting of 34,834 regulars stacles to, the enlargement of markets in China | ang 11,202 volunteers. with over 3,0 0 volunteer for the raw prow uot» suu manufactures of the | omcers, has been disch srzed from the military United States, should receive at your hands the | service. Of the volunteers. 637 oMfcers and 14,- consideratirn which its importance and timeli- | g3; men weré serving in the Pailipp nes and 1.- bess merited, but the congress failed to take | 9 of the regulars, who were entitled to be mus- action. ‘ tered out after the ratification of the treaty of 1 now renew t ‘s recommendation, as the im- peace. They voluntarily remained at the front portance of the subject has steadily grown since | until their places could be filled by new troops. it was first submitid to you, and no time should | ‘They were returned hume in the order in which be lost in studying for ourselves the resources | they went to Manila, and are now all of them of this great field for American trade and enter- | out of the service and in the ranks of cit‘zen- prise. ship. I recommend that the con-ress provide @ special medal of hunor for the volunteers regulars, sailors, and marines on duty in the Philippines, who voluntarily remained in the service after their terms of enlistment had ex- pired. By the act of March 2, 1899, congress has au- thority to increase the regular army to a maxi- mum not exceeding 61,00: enlisted men and to enlist a force of 35,0: volunteers. to be reeruited from the country atlarze. By virtueof this au- thority the regular army hus been increased to the number of 61,999 enlisted men and 2.248 off- cers and new volunteer reziments have been or- ganized aggregating jw enliste! men and 1,5240fficers. Two of these volunteer regiments are made up of co’ored men. with cvlored line officers. The new troops to take the place of those returning fro » the Philippines hive been transport dt» Manila to the number of 581 offi- cersand 6,122 enliste] men of the regular army and 504 officers and 15,288 enlisted_men of the new volunteer force, while 54 officers and 14,- 119 men of the volunteer fore- areon the ocean enroute to Manila. The force now in Manila consists of 905 officers and 31.58 regulars and 504 Cfficers and 15,348 of the volunteers, making an aggrezate of 1,«99 officers and 45.968 men. ‘When the troops now under orders shal! reach’ Manils, the force in th> archipelago will com- prise 2.6! officers and $1483 men The muster out of the great volunteer army organized for the Spanish war and the cre :tion of a new army. the tran«portation from Mani a to San Francis- co ef those entitled to dis. har-e and the trans- portation cf the new troops to take their place have been a work of great magnitude well and ably done, for which too much credit cannot be given the war department During the pust year we have reduced our force in Cuba and Porto Rico. In Cuba we suw government acd control of the istand to its p ple. The pledge contained in this resolution is of the highest honorable oblizaticn und must be sucredly kept. I believe that substantial progress has been made in this direction. Ail the administrative measures adopted in Cuba have aimed to fit it for a regenerated existence by enforcing the supremacy of law and justice; by placing wher- ever practicable the machinery of administra- tion in the hands of the inhabitants; by insti- tuting needed sanitary reforms; by spreading education, by fostering industry and trade: by incuicating public morality and, in short, by taking every rational step to aid the Cuban peo- ple to attain to that plane of self-conscious re- spect and se‘f-reliant unity which fits an en- lightened community for self-government with- in its own sphere, while enabling it to fulfill all outward oblivations. This natin has assumed before the world a grave responsibility for the future good gov- ernment of Cuba. We have accepted a trust the fulfiliment of which calls for the sternest integrity of purpose and the exercise of the highest wisdom. The new Cuba yet to arise ress Exhibit at Part« Exposition. Preparations for the industries, arts. and products of the United States at the world’s ex- position to be heid in Paris next year continue on an e.aborate and compre Jensive seale. thanks to the generous appropriation provided by con- gress and to the friendly interest the French government bas shown in furthering a typical exhibit bf American progress. ‘There has been allot ed to the United States aconsiderable addition of space. which, while placing our country in the first rank among exhibitors, does not suffice to meet the increas- ingly urgent demands of our manufacturers. The efforts of the commissioner general are ably directed toward a strictly representative display of all that most characteristically marks ‘American achievement in the inventive arts and most adequately shows the excellence of our natural productions. Pleasant Relations With Germany. Our relations with Germany continue to be most cordial. The increasing intimacy of direct association has been marked during the year by the granting permission in April for the land- ing on our shores of a cabie from Borkum Em- den. on the North sea, by way of the Azores, and also by the conclusion on September 2 of a parcels post convention with the German em- re. In all that promises closer relations of intercourse and commerce and a better under- standing between two races having so many traits in common, Germany can be assured of the most cordial co-operation of this govern- ment and people. We may be rivals in many paths, but our rivalry should be generous and open. ever aiming toward the attainment of larger results and the mutually Deneficial ad- wancement of each in the line of its especial @daptability. } with ex have 34 officers and 10,606 men: in Porto Rico, 87 officers and =,855 enlisted men and a battalion of 409 men, composed «f native Porto Ki waile stationed throuzhout the United ure 91u offlvers and 17,317 men and in Hawaii, 12 officers and 4.3 enlisted men. ‘The operations of the army are fully present- ed in the report of the secretary of war I can- not withhold from officers and men the highest commendution for their soldieriy condu t in trying situations, their willing sacrifices for their country and the interest ability with which they performe! unusual and diticult du- ties in our island possessions. | In the organization of the volunteer regiments authorized by the actof March 2. 1693. it was | found that no provision had been male for chaplains This omission was doubt inadvertence. I recommended the early thorization for the appointment of one lain for each of said regiments. These re ments are in the Philippines and it is importaat that immediate action be taken Postai Affairs in the Colonies. ; In restoring peaceful condi orderly re and civie progress in Cuba. Porto Riec far as practicable. in the Philippines. t habilitation of postal service has been ‘ss from au- p- ons. and. se portant partof the work. It bec to provide mail facilities both for occupation and for the native pop involy > exist meet this re Stential recon were si afully apy j at Service The domes lege all our wars durin : the ye by reason of death. r limitations, failure t and ot PAUSES WAS 45,186, allowed was 1 pension certificates we were for new or origis sian amount disbursed for army and navy vensions during the year was #135.395, 529), which was 21,601 451.01 tions The Grand Army of the Republi: at its re- cent national encampment held at Pails has brought to my attention and to t) gress the wisdom and justice of a modific of the third section of the act of June which provides pensions for the widows of officers and enlisted men who served 9) a: or more during the war of the rebellion and were honorabiy discharged, proviged that such widows are without other means of support than their daily labor and were remarited to the soldier, sailor or marine on account of whose service they claim pension prior to t date of the act. The present holding of the de tment is that if the widow's income aside from her dsily labor does not exceed in amount what her pension would be, to wit: $/6 per annum, she would be deemed to be without other means of support than her daily labor, and would be ertitied to a pension under this act. while if the widow's in- come, independent of the amount received by her as the result of her daily labor exceeds #94. she wou d not be pensionabie under the act I am advised by the commissioner of pensions that the amount of the income allowed before title to pension would be barred, has varied wdely under different administrations of the peusion office. as well as during different periods of the same admin m,and has been the cause of just complaint and criticism. With the approval of the secretary of the interior, the commissioner of pensions recommends that. in erder to make the prac.ice at all times uniform nd todo justice to the dependent widow, the amount of income a lowed indevendent of the pr. ceeds of her d: bor should be not less $50 per annum. and he urges that congress shall so amend the act as to permit the pension office to grant pensionable status to widows under the text of the taird section of the act of June 27, 1699, whose income asi ie from the pro- ceeds of daily labor is not in excess of $25) per annum. I beileve this to be a simple act of jus- tice and I heartily recommend it. Favors a Laceer Navy. I heartily concur in the recommendations for the increase of the navy,as suzgested by the secretary. Protecting the Forest« Protection of the national forests, imaugu- rated by the department of the interior in 1893. has been caused during the past year and much hus been accomplished in the way of preventing forest fires and the protection of the timber. There are now larve tracts covered by forests w.i bh will eventu:lly be reserved and set apart ior forest uses. Until that can be done con- «T ss should increase the appropriations for the work of protecting the forests. Ms. ta for Farm Products. Markets are being sought and opened up for surplus farm and factory products in Europe andin Asia. The outlook for the edu-ation of young farmers through agricu‘tural college ex- periment stations. with opportunities given to specialize in the department of agriculture, is very promising. The people of Hawaii, Porto Rico and tne Philippine islands have been helped by the establishm -nt of exp-riment sts- tions to a more scientific knowledge of the pro- duction of coffee, India rubber and other trop- ical products, for which there is a demand in the United States. There is wide-pread interest in the improve- ment of our public highways at the present time, and the department of agricuiture is co- operating with the people in each locality in making the best possibie roads from the local material and in experim-nting with steei tracks. the }- Absorbing Philippine Question. On the 10th of December. 1898. the treaty of peace between the Unite? States and Spain was signed It provided. among other things, that Spain should cede to the United States the archipe ago known as the Philippine isiands; that the United States should pay to Spain the sum of $20,000,000, and that the civil rights and Political status of the native inhabitants of the territories they ceded to the United States should be determined by the conzress The treaty was ratified by the senate on the 6th of February. 1899. ani by the government of Spain on the 19th of March followin The ratifica- tions were exchanged on the lithof April and the treaty publicly proclaimed On the 2d ed | March the congresss voted the sum contem- Plated by the treaty, and the smount was paid over to the Spanish government on the Ist of May. In this manner the Philinpines came to the United States. The islands were ceded by the government of Spain, which had been in undis- puted possessin of them for centuries They were accepted not merely by our suthor- ized commissioners in Paris under the direction of the executive. but by the constitu- tional and well considered action of the repre- sentatives of the people of the United States in both houses of congress. I had every reason to believe. and I still believe. that this transfer of sovereignty was in accordance with the wishes and the asp-rations of the grest mass of the Filipine p-ople. From the earliest moment no opportunity was lst of assuring the people of the islands of our ardent desire for their wel- fare and of the intention of this government to do everything poxsible to advance their inter- @sts In my order of the Ivth of te. Se ess than the sum of the appropria- commander of the miiitary expedition div- putebed to the Poilippines was instructed to declare that we came no: to make War upon the of ch? eoaary, “a> wpa aay partor faction umong them. Dut to protect them in their homes. in their employments and in their | Personal and reli That there should be n> bt as to the para- mount auth« ere on the itth « August, it was directed that “there must be n> j int oc- cupation with the insucgeats." that the Usited St tes must preserve ea-€ and protect per- sons and pr perty within th» territory occupies by their military and naval forces; that tae in- gents ai 1 rs m venize the military occupation snd ty of the} United States. As eariy as [ der 4, Defor the cessioa and in cipation of that event the o nander in Mintla was urced to res lity aad t a peace establi whic prelimi- nich I trans- rew t > nsive ry of th nary mov nat the story n Ibis to sav that el leade as pron by any of- of the Unit urn tor his as- Phas no fe fact and is cate- denied by th to prove it. T: nhe came ration of the ishan control, which they had be without suc row off The promp: accomplishment of this work by the American army and navy him other ideas and ambitions, and insidious suggestion from various quarters perverted the purposes and intentions with which he had taken up arms No sooner nad our army captured Ma- nila than the Filipino forces began vo assume an attitude of susp.cion and hostility which th utmost efforts of our officers and troops were unable to disarm or modéfy. Their kindness and forbearance were taxen as a proof of cow ard The aggressions of the Filipinos c tinually increased until finally, just before tae time set for the senate of the United = ates for a vote upon the treaty, an attack. evidently Prepared in advan e¢, was made all al ng the American lines, which resulted in a terribly structive und sanguigary repulse of the insur- gents Ten days later an order of the insu-sent gov- ernment was issued t» its adherents who had remained in Manila, of which Gen Otis justly observes that “for barbarous intent it is un- equaled in modern times.” It directs that at ht o’clock on the uicht of the sth of Febru- ry the territoriai mi itia shall come together in the streets of San Pedro. armed with their bolox, with ¢uns and ammunition, where con- ven.ent; that Filipino families only shall be re- spe but that all other individuals, of what- ever race they may be. shall be exterminated w.thout any compas-ion. after the extermina- tion of the army ef occupation. and adds: “Brothers, we must avenze ourselves on the Americaas and exterminate them, that we may take ourrev-nge for tue infumies and treach- eries which they hove committed upon us Have no compassion upon them, attack with vigor.” Acopy of this fell. by good fortune, into the hands of our officers and they were able to take measures to control the rising, which was actu- ally attempted on the night of February 22. a week later than was originally contem- plated. Considerabie number of armed insur- gents enieret the city by waterway< ani ‘swamps and in concert with confederates inside attempted to destroy Manila by fire. They were kept in check during the night and the next day driven out of the city with heavy loss ‘Yhis was the unbappy condition of affairs which confronted our comimis-ioners on thetr arrival in Manila. They had come with the hove and intention of co-operating with Ad- miral Dewey and Maj. Gen Otis in establishing peace and order in the archipelago and the largest measure of self-government compatible with the true welfare of the people. What they actually found can best be set forth in their own words: Deplorabie as war is, the one in which we are now engaged was unavoidable by us. We were attacked by a bold, adventurous and en- thusia-ticarmy. No alternative was left to us, except ignominous retreat. “It is not to be conceived of that any Ameri- ean would have sanctioned the surrender of Manila to the insurzents. Our obligations wo other nations and to the friend y Filivin = and © ourseives and our flag demanded tha: force should be met by force. Whatever the future of the Philippines may be. there is no course open to us now except to prosecute the war un- tilthe insurgents are redu-ed to su mission ‘The commission is of the opinion that there has been no time sioce the de<truction of the sp. ish squadron by Admiral Dewey when {t was possible to withdraw our forces from the is- lands. either with honor to ourselves or safety Ww the inhabitants.” The course thus cleariy indicated nas been unflinchingly pursued. The rebeilion must be putdown Civil government cannot be thor- oughly estabiished until order is r-stored With adevotion and gallantry worthy of its mos: Drillisot history, the army. aviy and loyally as- sisted by the navy. has cerried on this unwel- come, Dut most righteous campaign. with richly deserved success. The nobie stif-sacrifi-e with which our soldiers and sailors whose service had expired refused to avail themscives of their right to return home as lonz as taey were need- ed at the front forms on= of the brightest pages in our annals. Althoush their operations have been what interrupted and checked by a rainy of unusual violence and duration. they have gained ground steadily in every direc- tion, and now look forward confidently to s speedy completion of their task. The unfavorable circumstances connected with an active campaign have not been permit- ted to interfere with the equally important work tlea ess to gave jaom is socredly assured and enjoyed. The | courts are dispensing justice Business is be- | g nning to circul \te in its accustomed chaune = Manila, whose inhabitants were teeing to the | county afew months a o, is nowa populous | and vbriving mart of commerce. The earnest and unremitting endeavors of the commission and tae admiral and major general command- ing the department of the Pacific t» assure the peuple of the veneiicent inteat oas of this gov~ ernment, hive had their legitimate effect in corvincing the great miss of them that peace tand safety and prosperity and stable govern- ment can only be foud in a loyal acceptance of the authority of the United Siate= The future government of the Philipp nes resis with the congress of the United States. Few graver responsibilities have ever beea confided to us If we accept them in a spirit worthy of our race and our (traditions, a great opportunity comes with them nds lie under t riter of our flux urs by every tithe of law and equity cannot be abandoned. If we desert eave ‘They are They them we them at once to anarchy and finally to barbar- i-m. apple of discord, nev of whieh could to selze them unquest n nd vail would be tae and bloodshed, The of Dewey's fleet Manila bay instead the dawn new day of ress, wll hav a the Dowtn= misery ond has d nt) We flag them, a golde t powers, no ug. us we hope pand pr sofan era of than any worse which au over the isliads ade pend: coud retain a | pos jon will not worthy ¢ . an arrongem AVOLVe ve us no powe is witathe task of protectiag t sch other and defending them agai power with which they chose to In short, it w mm t SOs United State power of vest that tremend sus prero the hou wole that I shou and finw Waen pe 1 it will be the duty of con ent which st } gress of th xovernment f the ow in preparation, contait sugge-tions which iil be of value to congress and which I will ausmit as soon as it is completed As long as the insurrection contint 1 itary arm must necessarily be supreme there {s no reason why steps should nt be tu ‘om time to time to inaugurate guvernmencs essentially popular in their form as fast as tore ritory is held or controlled by our vo this end I am considering the advisability of the return of the commission, or such of the members thereof as can be secured, to aid the existing authorities and facilitute this work througnout the isiands. I have believed that reconstruction should not begin by the estuo- lishment of one central civil government for ull the txlands with its seat at Minila, but rather that the work should be commenced by building up from the bottom, first establishing munici~ pal governments and then provincial govern= ments, a central government at last Ww fouow. Until congress shall haye made kaown the formal expresstoo of its w.ll T shall uve the au- thority vested in me by the constitution and the statutes to uphold the sovereignty of tae United States in those cistant islands and in all other places where our flag riqatiuily floats. Ishall put at the disposal of th: army and navy all the means whic the liberality of con- gress and the people have provided to cuune this unprovoked and wasteful insurre tion to cease. If any or lers of miue were required tw insure the merciful conduct of military and naval operations, they would not be lacking but every step of the pro ress of our troops lus been marked by @ humanity which hus sur- prised even the mis-uided insurgents. ‘Tho truest kindness to them wil, bea sw.ft and ec- fective defeat of their present leader. Tue meney and hour of victory will be un hour of © reconstruction. No effort will be made to build up the waste places desolated by war and jong years of tmis- government. We shall not waitfor the end of the strife to begin the beneficent work, We shall continue, as we have begun. to open the schools and the churches, lo set the courts in operation, to foster industry end trade anda - riculture and in every way in our power lo make these people waom Providence bus brought within our jurisdiction feel cuat itis thetr liberty ant not our power, tielr wolfurs and not our gain that we are seekioy to enbanee. Our flag has never waved ver any community butun bDies<ing I ve ieve the Fti- pinos will svon recocniz® the tact tlatit hus not iost its gift of benediction ia its wor.dwids journey to their shores Kecommendat for Porto Rico. The system of civil jurisprudence g)w adopted by the people of Porto Kiev is described bt competent lawyers who are familiar with {t as thorou-hly modern and scientific. so far as it re- lates to mattess of internal business, tride production and social and private ri cht. in wen- eroL The cities of the island are governed un- der charters which probably require very little orno change. So that with relation w matte.» of local concern and private right it is now probable that much if any legislation is desir~ able; but with reference to public administra tion and the relations of the islands t» the fed eral government there are many matters which are of pressin: urgency. It is desirable that the government of the is- land under the law of belligerent right, now maintained through the executive department, should be sup-rseded by an administration en- tirely civilin its nature. For present purposes I recommend that congress pass a law for the organization of a temporary government, whic shali provide for the appointment by the presi- dent, subject to confirmation by the senate, of a governor and such other officers as the general administration of the island may require, and that for legislative purposes on subjects of a lo- cal nature, not partaking of a federal cheracter, 2 legislative council, composed partiy of Porto Ricans and partly of citizens of the United States, shall be nominated and sppointed by the president, subject to confirmation by the senate. Inthe municipalities and other local sub-divisions { recummend that the principle of self-zovernment be applie! at once so as to enable the intelligent «itizens of the island to participste in their own government and to learn by practical experience the du.ies and re- quirements of a self-contained and a self-gov- erning people The fundamental requirement for these peo- pie ss for all peopie, is education. Sys- tems of edu ation in these new poxsesxions founded on common sense methods. adapted to existing conditions and looking to the future movement and industrial advancement of the people, will commend to them in « peculiarly effective manner the blessings of free govern- ment. Glowing Trihute to Washing‘on. The 14tb of December will be the one hundredth anniversary of the death«f Washington. For 1.9 years the republic has had the vriceless ad- vantage of the lofty standard of charscter and conduct which be bequesthed w the American peopie It is an inheritance which time. instead of wasting, continually inereasex and enriches. We may justly hope that in the years to come the benignant influence of the father of his country may be even more potent for good than in the century which is drawing to @ close. I have been giad to learn that in many parts of the country the peope will fittingly observe ‘this historic anniversary. xe in Conctasion. Presented to this congress are great oppor- tunities, With them come great responsibili- ties. The power confided to us |i ~-»- » » Ane rs 4