Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-04-05
AMERICAN COMMISSION HAS ISSUED
A PROCLAMATION.
UNITED STATES PROPOSALS
SUPREMACY OF HER AUTHORITY TO
BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.
Welfare and Advancement of the
Philippine People Her Chief Pur-
pOse-An Honest and ELL
cient Civil Admins.
tratiQn Promised.

NEW YORK, April A-The Journals Ma
nila correspondent cables the text of the
United States Philippine commissioners
proclamation, issued to-day:
The commission desires to assure the peo-
pie Of the Philippine islands Of the cordial
good will and fraternal feeling which is en-
tertained for them by the president Of the
United States and by the American people.
The aim and object of the American gov
ernment, apart from the fulfillment Of the
solemn obligations it has assumed toward
the family of nations by it's acceptance of
sovereignty over the Philippines islands. is
the well being, prosperity and happiness of
the Philippine people and their elevation
and advancement to position among the
most civilized peoples Of the world.
The president believes that the felicity
and perfection of the Philippine people is
to be brought about by the assurance of
peace and order, by the guarantee of civil
and religious liberty, by the establishment
of justice, by the cultivation Of letters, sci
ence and the liberal and practical arts. by
the enlargement of intercourse with foreign
nations, by expansion of Industrial pur-
suits, by trade and commerce, by multiple
cation and Improvement Of the means Of
ment with the aid of modern mechanical in
ventionS of the great natural resources OF
the archipelago and. in a word, by the un-
pursuit Of useful objects and the realiza,
tton Of those noble ideas which constitute
the higher civilization of mankind.
poses OF the American government and peo-
pie have been misinterpreted to some of
the Inhabitants Of certain islands, and as
have, without provocation or cause, been
openly attacked. And why these hostilities?
What do the best Filipinos desire? Can it
erty.
In the meantime the attention, Of the
tain regulative principles by which the
United States will be guided in its relations
with them.
These are deemed to be the points Of
First-The supremacy Of the United
States mus. and will be enforced through
out every part Of the archipelago. and those
than their own ruin.
Second.To the Philippine people will be
granted the most ample liberty and self
nance OF a wise, Just. stable, effective and
economical administration of public affairs
and compatible with the sovereign and in
the United States.
Third-The civil rights Of the Philippine
people will be guaranteed and protected to
the fullest extent; religious freedom will be
assured. and all persons shall be equal
and have equal standing in the eyes Of the
law.
bid the use of the Philippine people or the
Of exploitation. The purpose Of the Amer
advancement Of the Philippine people. ~
Fifth-There shall be guaranteed to the
Philippine people an honest and effective
tent to which It is practical, natives shall
sixthWThe collection and application of
upon a sound, economical basis and the
public funds, raised justly and collected
honestly. will be applied only to defray, the
and for the establishment and maintenance
of the Philippine government and such gen.
eral improvements as the public interests
used for local purposes and not to be de-
voted to other ends. With such prudent and
honest fiscal administration 1t is believed
short time, become compatible with a
considerable reduction in taxation.
seyenth-A pure, speedy and effective ad;
whereby may be eradicated the evils aris-
ing from delay, corruption and exploita-
ton.
roads and similar means Of communication
and aa Of ether ppb
Ninth-Domestic and foreign trade and
commerce, agriculture and other Industrial
pursuits tending to the general development
of the country, in the interests Of the in
habitants, shall be the object Of constant
solicitude and fostering care.
Tenth-Enective provision will be made
for the establishment of elementary schools
in which the children Of the people may be
provided for higher education.
Eleven-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 con-
formally with right and justice in a way to
satisfy the well founded demands and the
highest sentiments and aspirations of the
people.
Such is the spirit in which the United
States comes to the people Of the Philip
pine islands and the president has in
Structed the commission to make this pub
licly known.
In obeying his behest the commissioners
desire to join the president in expressing
their good will toward the Philippine peo-
pie, and to extend to the leading representa-
tive men an invitation to meet them for the
purpose of personal acquaintance and the
exchange of views and Opinions.
JACOB GOULD SCHuRMAN,
United States Commissioner.
GEORGE DEWEY,
ELWELL 8. OTIS. Major General,
United States Army.
United States Commissioner.
DEAN g. WORCESTER,
1gP- nrso4n >>.