The San Francisco call., 1899-09-04
TERRITORIAL
GOVERNMENT
FOR HAWAII
Policy Of the President in
Relation to Our New
Dependencies.
CHANGE At MANILA
Civil Rule by Three Commissioners
to Supplant the Present
System.
Special Dispatch to The Cali.

CALL HEADQUARTERS, VEL
LINGTON HOTEL, WASHINGTON,
Sept. 3.-There is good authority
for the statement that the Pres
ident has returned TO Washing
ton with these general ideas uppermost
in his mind as 10 his future course in
relation to new dependencies:
The Phillipines-Civil government by
three commissioners to supplant the
military rule Immediately after the re-
belIion is crushed.
Cuba-Continued military control un-
til it is determined by means Of general
election whether the inhabitants want
independence or annexation. If inde-
pendence the new government elected
will be recognized by the United States
and will be given encouragement and
every opportunity to establish its sta
bility. If annexation, the President
will be governed by the sentiment OF
the American citizens as il may then
exist.
Porto Rico-Civil government of ter
ritorial form. similar to that which pre-
walls in Arizona.
Hawaii-Territorial form of govern
ment as recommended by the Hawaiian
commission and as provided for in a
measure now pending in Congress.
Some weeks will elapse before the
President settles down TO the actual
preparation of his message, but he has
returned from his vacation with some
welI-defined views as TO the difficult
problems which confront him and will
Immediately commence the discussion
OF details with the members of his Cab
met. II has been generally supposed
that with the war in progress in the
Philippines the President would avoid
committing himself TO recommended
tions as TO the future government of
the islands. but such viii probably not
be the case His Pittsburg speech
leaves no room for doubt that he will
insist upon permanent American con-
troll of the Philippines. To this extent
he has came out squarely and thrown
down the gauntlet TO anti-expansion-
lists Mr.. Mckinley not only favors this
permanent control, but is prepared
with all forces at his command 10 fight
for il. But TO avoid the charge of mill
tarism-and that is his reason for max
ing the eCOmmendation-he proposes
outlining the plan TO Congress for sub
stituting a civil form OF government for
the military, the moment peace is OBJ
tained and complete supremacy Of the
United States established.
Future discussion with his Cabinet
may change somewhat the Presidents
views as to the form Of civil govern
ment best suited to reet the situation
but at present the commission idea pre-
dominates. Professor Schurman, Pres
ident of the Peace Commission, is un-
derstood to favor this kind of control
and a historical review recently pre-
pared for the President showing that
the United States has frequently adopt
ed this method of control of new terri
tory in a transitOry state, has deeply
impressed the members of the admins
tration.
1t is appreciated that it will be some
years before the islands are ripe for
even territorial form of government,
such as is proposed for Porto Rico so
that the control by commissioners,
much the same as the District of Co
lumbia is governed, is deemed a happy
substitute for military government and
a safe and simple means of control pre-
liminary TO the esta tabliShment of a ter
ritorial form OF government when it
may be possible 10 give the natives,
generally, the right Of suffrage.
A plan under consideration contemp-
lates three commissioners, one an army
officer to have charge of fiscal affairs
another naval Officer TO have control of
customs and a third, leading Filipino
of legal experience to look after the
judiciary, all three to be appointed by
the President and confirmed by the
Senate. Further details contemplate
giving the Filipinos a voice in all mu-
nicipal affairs and the most liberal self
government possible.