Daily inter mountain., 1899-09-04
AS to the Future Govern
ment of Colonies.
lHEPRESlDENT'S COURSE
Will Depend Upon the Wishes OF the
American PeOple--He is in Favor
of Permanent Control of all the
Islands We Acquired.

New York. Sept IA special to the
Herald from Washington says: There
is good authority for the statement that
the president has returned to Washing
ton with these general ideas uppermost
in his mind as to his future course in re-
laton to the new dependencies:
Civil government by three commissions
ers to supplement military rule imme-
dlately after the rebellion is crushed.
Continued military control until 1t is de-
ternlined by means of a general election
whether the inhabitants want independ-
enee or annexation. If independence. the
new government elected Will be recoS-
nZed by the United States and will be
given encouragement and every oppor-
| tunity to establish its stability. If an
nexaton. the president will be governed
/ by the sentiment of American citizens as
! it may then exist. Civil government or
/ the territorial form similar to that OF
| Arizona. Territorial form of government
as recommended by the Hawaiian COM
mission and as provided for in measure
now pending in congress.
| Some weeks will elapse before the pres
ident settles down TO the actual prepara-
!
| from his vacation with some well defined
| views as to the difficult problems which
| confront him and will Immediately COM
mence discussions of the details with the
members of his cabinet. 1t has been
generally supposed that with the war still
in progress in the Philippines the presi-
| dent would avoid committing himself to
recommendations of the future govern
ment of the island, but such will proba-
bly, not be the case. His Pittsburg speech
leaves no room for doubt that he Will in
sst upon American control or the PhiIip-
pines. TO this extent he has come out
squarely and thrown down the gauntlet
to the anti-expansionists
Mr.. Mckinley not only is in favor OF
| the permanent control but is prepared
with all the forces at his command to
| fight for it, but to avoid the charge of
militarism, and that is his reason for
making the recommendation he purposes
! outlining a plan to congress for submit
! ting civil form of government for the
military the moment peace is obtained
and the complete supremacy of the
United States established. Further dis
cussions with his cabinet may change
somGwha the presidents views as to the
form of civil government best suited to
meet the situation, but at present the
commissi idea predominates Profess
sor Schurmann, president of the peace
| commission is understood to favor this
kind of control and a historical review
recently prepared for the president
showing that the United States has fire.
quentIy adopted this method of control
of new territory in a transitory state, has
deeply impressed members of the admin
istration. 1t is appreciated that it will
for even a territorial form Of government
such as is proposed for Porto Rico. go
that control by commissioners. much the
same is in the District of Columbia, is
deemed a happy substitute for a military
government ana safe and simple means
of control preliminary 10 the establish
ment of territorial form of government,
when it may be possible to give the ma
tives generally the right of suffrage.
The plan under consideration cOntcm-
plates three commissioners. one an army
officer, to have charge OF financial af-
fairs, another a naval officer to control
the customs, and third. a leading Fill
pno officer of legal experience, to look
after the judiciary--all three to be APP
pointed by the president and confirmed
by the senate. Further details contem-
plate giving the Filipinos 3 voice in all
municipal affairs and the most liberal
self government possible.