La Junta tribune., 1899-04-15
PROCLAMATION TO r,L'p,Nos.
I.teasieA - the UaitsA 1taess Fail
Stated ~ ths CeaDinstosens

Slated ~ tho COA0taesoooso.
Manila, April 6.-The preamble Of
the proclamation Of the United States
Philippine Commission recftes the ces-
sion by the peace treaty Of the Philip.
pine islands to the United States, re-
fcrs to the appointment of the commits
SION. assures the people Of the cordial
good will and frnternal feeling Of the
President Of the United States and the
American people and asserts that the
object which the United States govern
nent, apart from the fulfllment Of its
solemn obligations. has assumed to-
wnrd the family of nations, by the ac-
ccptance Of sovereignty over the is-
lands IL the well-bcing, prosperity and
happiness of the Philippine people and
their elevation and advancement to a
position among the most civilized peo-
pies of the world. Continuing, the
proclamation says.
The President believes this felicity
and perfection of the Philippine people
will be brought about by the cuidva-
tion OF letters. science and the liberal
and practical arts. by the enlargement
Of intercourse with foreign nations, the
expansion of Industrial pursuits, by
trade and commerce, by the multipli-
cation and Improvement Of means OF
Internal communication and by the de-
yelopment OF the great natural re
sources of the archipelago.
UNFORTUNATELY these pure aims ana
prrposes of the American government
md people have been misinterpreted
to some of the inhabitants Of certain
islands, and in consequence the friend
" American forces. without provoca-
tion or cause. have been openly Mt
tucked. why these hostilities? What
Al, Gan n ho
more than the United States is ready
to give? They say they are patriots
and want liberty"
The commission emphaticnlly asserts
that II Ii willing and anxious to estab-
ISL an enlightened system Of govern
ment. under which the people may en-
1oy the largest measure OF home rule
and the amplest liberty consonant with
the supreme ends which the United
States hns assumed toward the civil
lied nations of the world.
The proclamation then says there
can be no real conflict between Ameri-
can sovereignty and the rights and I'D
critics Of the Filipinos. for America Is
rcady to furnish armies and navies and
all the INFINITE resources Of a great and
powerful nation to maintain Its right
full supremacy over the islands; 20 1t
10 even more solicitous to spread peace
and happiness among the people and
guarantee them rightful freedom and
protect their Just privileges and Inn
munitiea, to accustom them to free,
self-euvefnment In ever-increaStng
measure and to encourage those demo
cratic aSplratons, sentiments and
ideals which are the promise and
potency of fruitful national develop
ment.
In conclusion, the proclamation an
nounces that the commissaon win visit
tbs Philippine provinces TO ascertAin
he enliehteoed native opinion ~ to
the forms ok government adapted 10
th< people conformable with their tra-
ditions and IDEALS, invites the leading,
rspreeentAtive men to meet tho com
missioo and decaafes the policy Of the
Untted States in the estab1ishment and
maintsaanee Of the government 10 70
consult tie WisheD and secure the Cd
vioe and co-opoeAtten Of fhe poOpIe.
Zhs pEecaanas3oo contains esevea