New-York tribune., 1899-01-17
PHILIPPINES COMMISSION.
APPOINTMENT ACCEPTED BY PRESl-
DENT SCHURMAN.
OTHER MEMBERS TO RE SELECTED SOON
NOT TO RECOMMEND FORM OF Gov
ERNMENT For TIE ISLANDS.

EMINENT FOR THE ISLANDS
TBY TELEGRAPH TO TRIBuNEI
Washington Jan. 16-President Schurnan vi
Cornell University visited the White House 'o-
day in response to an invitation telegrapheo 10
Ithaca last Saturday. and as the result OF MS
conference with the President announced this
afternoon that he had decided TO accept place
on the Commission which the Administration
expects to send some time this winter to study
conditions In the Philippines.
Mr. Schurnan was considered by the Presi-
dent an excellent choice for the head OF the
proposed Commission and his Views were there
fore sought and the appointment was to-day
offered to him AS the trip Is to be made In
February or March. the other Commissioners
will he selected without much delay.
1t is known that the President Is anxious 10
have Professor Dean c. Worcester of the Unit
versty Of Michigan, go to the Philippines fro-
fessor Worcester spent four years in the Islands
and recently published a book which Is re-
garded as one OF the most valuable contributions
to existing knowledge Of conditions in the Phil
ippine Archipelago. Professor Worcesters con-
sent to serve has not yet been obtained. and 1t
may be necessary to substitute some one else
for him on the Commission.
II is supposed that the Administration VIII
endeavor to press Admiral Dewey and Major
General Otis into service as members or the
Commission, they are both already on the
spot and have had extensive experience bo'h
In dealing with the natives and In estimating
their desire and capacity for self-government'
They also are exceptionally we'll Informed as to
the value Of the Philippines as a colony from
the commercial. naval end military point OF
view. Colonel Charles DENLY. formerly Min
lister to China. and now member OF the COM
mission investigating the conduct OF the War
Department in tie war with Spain. is generally
regarded as the fifth probable member or the
Philippines Commission. He is thoroughly
familiar with political and other conditions IN
the Far East and would add great strength to
any body sent TO examine and report on the
situation in the Philippines.
The Commission will not go 10 the Philippines
for the purpose Of recommending form of gov
ernment for the islands. and the question OF
their disposition will not be within the scope os
the problems to be investigated. Congress VIII
settle the political future OF the Philippines for
itself The people. their customs and habits
their education and capacity. the resources and
prospects will be among the things to be In,
quired into. \ complete tour OF the prihclpai
islands will he made
The expenses Of the Commission VIII prooaniy
be paid out of the S4.0o0.0oo placed at the dis-
posal Of the President by the Urgent Dehclency
bin early in the present session OF Congress;
No restriction was put on the expenditure OF
this appropriation. , a.,
The selection OF a Commission TO visit the
Philippines and report on conditions exls,lns
there Is not intended TO influence in any way
the action of the Senate on the Treaty OF Peace
now nending or of the two houses In deter
mining the destiny of the Far Eastern pos.
sessions which have been thrust upon the unlteo
States by the result Of the war. IL Is assumed
by the President that the Paris Convention VIII
be ratified. and that the Administration musi mus
exercise military control Of the ISLANDS unt'
Congress decides whether they are TO he re-
tanned and governed an organized territory, .,
or whether n native government is TO he set
up under American protection. II VIII he az
least year before Congress Will be prepared
10 discuss eefously the fate of the Philippines,
and i'm the mean time report from Commls-
sion of high credit and standing on existing con-
ditions in the islands cannot fail TO be OF I'M
,nense assistance in indicating safe and rea-
sonable solution Of the problem OF governing
the distant territory taken from spain as the
outcome Of Dewey's victory