n and the
statutes to uphold the sovereignty of the United States in those distant
islands as in all other places where our flag rightfully floats. I shall
put at the disposal of the Army and Navy all the means which the
liberality of Congress and the people have provided to cause this
unprovoked and wasteful insurrection to cease.

If any orders of mine were required to insure the merciful conduct of
military and naval operations, they would not be lacking; but every step
of the progress of our troops has been marked by a humanity which has
surprised even the misguided insurgents. The truest kindness to them
will be a swift and effective defeat of their present leader. The hour
of victory will be the hour of clemency and reconstruction.

No effort will be spared to build up the waste places desolated by war
and by long years of misgovernment. We shall not wait for the end of
strife to begin the beneficent work. We shall continue, as we have
begun, to open the schools and the churches, to set the courts in
operation, to foster industry and trade and agriculture, and in every
way in our power to make these people whom Providence has brought within
our jurisdiction feel that it is their liberty and not our power, their
welfare and not our gain, we are seeking to enhance. Our flag has never
waved over any community but in blessing. I believe the Filipinos will
soon recognize the fact that it has not lost its gift of benediction in
its world-wide journey to their shores.

* * * * *

Some embarrassment in administration has occurred by reason of the
peculiar status which the Hawaiian Islands at present occupy under the
joint resolution of annexation approved July 7, 1898. While by that
resolution the Republic of Hawaii as an independent nation was
extinguished, its separate sovereignty destroyed, and its property and
possessions vested in the United States, yet a complete establishment
for its government under our system was not effected. While the
municipal laws of the islands not enacted for the fulfillment of
treaties and not inconsistent with the joint resolution or contrary to
the Constitution of the United States or any of its treaties remain in
force, yet these laws relate only to the social and internal affairs of
the islands, and do not touch many subjects of importance which are
of a broader national character. For example, the Hawaiian Republic
was divested of all title to the pu