The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-04-05
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TO FILiPINOS.
United states Com mfssion Addresses IL
seIfto Natives.

New York, April 4-The Manila corre-
spondent OF the Journal te:egraphs the
following to that paper:
The proclamation OF the United states
PHILIPPINE commissioners has just been
promulgated.
The commission states that the Unit
ed States desire to promote the well be-
ing and prosperity OF tho island and to
fulnu the obligations incurred by assu-
ming the sovereignty of the islands.
Unfortunately, 1t says these pure aims
and purposes Of the American govern
ment 70 the people have been misintsr-
preted to sooe Of the inhabitants OF the
Islands. and a. a consequence tho friendly
Amerfcan forces have without provo
cstion or cause been openly attacked.
In the meantime the attention OF
reople Of ~ Philippine islands Is in
yited % certain regvlative ,P11ncapies
BY which the United States Will Dc guld-
ed IN lie relations With them. Iness are
1.-THE supremacy Of the United States
must and viii BE- enforced throughout
every part OF the archipelago and those
who resist II can accomplish no end other
than their own ruin.
granted the most ample liberty and SELF
Government reconcilAble with the main
tensnce of q WISE just, stable, eneotiee
and economical administration OF pubic
affairs and compatible with the sovereign
and International rights and obligations
of the United States.
The civil rights of the Philippine
people win be guarded and protected to
the fullest extent; religious freedom Will
be assured and all persons shall be equa
and have equal standing in the eyes OF
the law.
the use of the Philippine Poop or the
islands they inhabit as an object or
means of exploitation. The purpose of
the American government is the welfare
sand advancement of the Philippine peo-
pie. =. A..
I>bilippipe people an honest and effec-
tive civil service In which, 20 the fullest
ex.ent to which 1t is practicable natives
shall be employed. -,
6-The collection and application of all
taxes and all other revenues, will be
placed upon sound, economical OASIS
and the public funds raised justly and
collected honestly will be applied only
to defray the regular and proper expen-
SEES incurred by and for the establishment
and maintenance nj the Philippine gov
eminent, and such general inn rovements
as the public interests may demand. Lo-
cal funds collected viii be used for local
purposes and not lie desoted to other
ends With suo1 prudent and honest
fiscal administrator 1T Is believed that
the needs of the government Will, In a
short time, become compatible with
considerable reduction in taxation.
IA pure, speedy and effective admin
istratIoa Of Justice will be established
whereby may be eradicated the evils
arising from delay, corruption and ex-
ploitatiOn.
s-The construction of roads, railroads
and similar means OF communication and
transportation and of other public works,
manifestly to the advantage OF the Philip-
pine people will be promoted.
9-Domestic and foreign trade and
Commences, agriculture and other indus
trial pursuits tending toward the gen.
eral development OF the country in the
interests Of the inhabitants shall be the
objects of constant solicitude and fos-
I0-E6ective provision will be made for
the establishment of elementary schools
in which the children OF the people may
be educated ami appropriate facilities
will be provided for higher education
1i-Reforms in all departments of the
government. all branches of the public
service and all corporations closely touch
ing the common life Of the people will be
undertaken without delay and effected
conformably with right and ju sites in a
way to satisfy the well founded demands
and the highest sentiments aud aspirA-
lions Of the people such is the spirit In
which the United States oomes to the
people of the islands, and the President
aas Instructed the commission to make
this publicly known.
In obeying his behest the commits
sioners desire to join the President In ex-
pressing their good will toward the Phil
n
ing repre- sentative men an invitation to
meet them for the purpose of personal
acquaintance and the exchange of views
md opinions.
Jacob Gould Schurman, U. $ Comr
George Dewey, U. S. n.
ElweIl Otis, Maj. Gen., u. s S.
Charles DENLY, u. S. Com'r.