Evening star., 1899-04-04
Proclamation by the Commissioners
From United States.
ASSURANCE OF OUR GOOD WILL
American Supremacy to Be Main
tanned for Good Government.
OPPOSITION MEANS RUIN

>
Manila correspondent cables the text of the
United States Philippine Commissioners
proclamation, issued today:
The commission desires to assure the
people of the Philippine Islands of the cor
dial good v ill and fraternal feeling which
is entertained 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 fulfllment of the
solemn obligations it has assumed toward
the family of nations by it's acceptance of
sovereignty over the Philippine Islands. is
the we'll being. prosperity and happiness of
the Philippine people and their elevation
and advancement to a position among the
most civilized peoples of the world
The President believes that this 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 I=tters,
science and the liberal and practical arts,
by the enlargement of Intercourse with for
eign nations. by expansion of Industrial
pursuits, by trade and commerce, by multi
plcation and Improvement of :he means of
internal communication. by development,
with the aid of modern mechanical fnven-
tiOns. of the great natural resources of the
archipelago, and, in a word, by ;ne Uninter-
rupted devotion of the people TO the pursuit
of useful objects and the realization Of
those noble ideas which constitute the
higher civilization Of mankind.
Americas Intentions MiSinterpreted.
Unfortunately, these pure aims and pur-
poses Of the American government and peo-
pie have been misinterpreted to some Of the
inhabitants of certain Islands, and as a con-
sequence. the friendly American forces
have, without provocation or cause. been
openly attacked. And why these hostfli-
ties? What do the best Filipinos desire?
Can it he mora than the United States is
ready To give? They are patriots and want
liberty.
In the meantime the attention of the peo.
PIE of the Philippines is invited to certain
regulatiye principles by which the United
States will be guided in its relations with
them.
These are deemed to be the points of car
dinal Importance:
THE supremacy of the United States
must and will be enforced throughout every
part Of the archipelago. and those who
resist it can accomplish no end other than
their own ruin.
10 the Philippine people will be grant
ed the most ample liberty and self govern
ment reconcilable with the maintenance
of a wise, just. stable effective and eco
nomical administration of public affairs and
compatible with the sovereign and inter.
national rights and the obligations of the
United States.
a-Ine civil rights of the Philippine peo.
pie will be guaranteed and protected to the
fullest extent: religious freedom will be as
CURED. and all persons shall be equal anG
Aave equal standing in the eyes of the
law.
No Purpose of Exploitation.
f--Honor. justice and friendship forbiC
the Use Of the Philippine people or the is
lands they inhabit an object or means
OF expectation. The purpose of the Ameri
can government Is the welfare and the adj
vancement of the Philippine people
5-There shall be guaranteed to the Phil
lppiHe people an honest and effective civi
service in which, TO the fullest extent l,
which ii is practical, natives shall be EN-
ployed
6.-The collection and application of al
taxes and other revenues will be place,
upon a sound, economical basis and tht
public funds, raised justly and colIecte,
honestly, viii be applied only to defrav the
regular and proper expenses incurred 5y
ana for the establishment and maintenance,
OF the Philippine government and sucr
general improvements as the public inter
ests may demand. Local funds collected
VIII be used for local purposes and not Il
De devoted TO other ends
WIN such prudent and honest fiscal ad
ministration it is believed that the need
OF the government VIII, in short time. be-
come compatible with i considerable re
duction in taxation.
"A pure. speedy and effective admin
4strallon Of justice will be estabIisbes
whereby may be erddicated the evils arisin,
IIOHi deiay, corruption and exploitation.
o.-ihe construction of roads railroad,
ana similar means OF communication anC
transportation, and Of other public works
HlahfestIy to the advantage of the PbIIip
pine people, Will be promoted.
9.-Domestic and foreign trade and com
HeFce' agriculture and other industrial pur
suits tending toward the general deyeIon
Hieht OF the country, IN the interests of tn,
inhabitants. shall be objects of constan
S"lc4'ude and fostering care.
To Establish schools.
"--Ehective provision will be made fol
the establishment of elementary schools II
which the children of the people NAV h,
educated, and appropriate facilities will b,
provided for a higher education.
u-Reforms In all departments of III,
government. all branches OF the pubIi
service and all corporations closely touch
Ing the common life of the people Will b
undertaken without delay and effected con
formally with right and justice in a wa,
TO satisfy the well-founded demands an,
the highest sentiments and aspirations O
the people.
Such is the spirit in which the Unite
States comes to the people OF the islands
end the President has instructed tht. com
mission 10 make this publicly known
IN ODeying his behest. the commissioner
desire to join the President in expressin
their good will toward the Philippine peo
pie and To extend to the leading represent
atiVe men an Invitation to meet them TO
tfe purpose OF personal acquaintance an
the exchange of views and opinions
JACOB GOULD SCHURMAN
u. S. Commissioner.