The Van Buren press., 1899-04-08
OCR PHILIPPINE WARDS.
A Proclamation Issued by the
American Philippine Commits
sion to the Filipinos.
THE ATTITUDE OF THE UNITED STATES.
The FiIipinos Are Told of the Aims
and Aspirations of Those Who
Have Broken the Spanish Yoke,
and Invited to Give Their New
Rulers a Fair Trial.

Rulers a Fair Trial.
Manila, April 4.-The Philippines
commission having decided to with
hold the proclamation to the people Of
the Philippine islands no longer, Presi-
dent Schurman has isused the mani
festo.
The preamble of the proclamation
recites the cesseion by the peace
treaty of the Philippine islands to tho
United States, refers to the appoint
ment of the commission, assures the
people of the cordial good will and
fraternal feeling of the president Of
the United States and the American
people, and asserts the object which
the United States government, apart
legations, has assumed towards the
family of nations by the acceptance
of the sovereignty over the islands, is
the well-being, prosperity and happ1-
ness of the Philippine people and their
elevation and advancement to a posi-
tion among the civilized peoples of the
world.
The Presidents Belief.
The president believes that this
felicity and perfection of the Philip
pine 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 JUS
science and the liberal and practical
arts, by the enlargement of inter
course with foreign nations, by eXpan-
sior of industrial pursuits, by trade
and commerce, by multiplication and
Improvement of the means of internal
communication, of the great natural
resources of the archipelago, and in a
" Nord, by the uninterrupted devotion
OF the people to the pursuit of useful
objects and the realization of those
noble ideas which constitute the high
Ell civilization of mankind.
Aims Misinterpreted.
Unfortunately, these pure aims and
purposes of the American government
ard people have been misinterpreted
to some of the inhabitants of certain
islands, and as consequence the
friendly American forces have, with
out provocation or cause, been openly
attacked. And why these hostilities2
What do the best Filip!nQs desire?
Car it be more than the United States
is ready to give? They are patriots
and want liberty.
Attention Invited.
In the meantime the attention of the
people of the Philippines is invited to
certain regulative principles by which
the United States will be guided in its
relations with them. These are deemed
to the points of cardinal Importance:
l. The supremacy of the United States
must and will be enforced throughout
every part of the archipelago, and those
who resist 1t can accomplish no end other
than their own ruin.
2 To the Philippine people will be grant
ed the most ample liberty and self-goV-
ernment reconciliable with the mainte-
nance of wise, just stable, effective and
economical administration OF pubic az
fairs and compatible with the sovereign
and international rights and the oDlga-
tions of the United States.
s. The civil rights Of the Philippine peo-
pie will be guaranteed, and protected 70
the fullest eXtenti religious freedom Will
be assured, and all persons shall be equal
and have equal standing in the eyes of
the law.
the use of the Philippine people or the is
lands they inhabit as an object or means
of exploitation. The purpose or the
American government is the welfare ana
the advancement of the Philippine people.
5. There shall be guaranteed to the Phil
irpine people an honest and effective
civil service in which, to the fullest ex-
tent to which 1t is practical, natives shall
be employed.
6. The collection and application of all
taxes and other revenues will be placed
upon a sound, economical basis, and the
public funds, raised justly and collected
honestly, will be applied only to defray
the regular and proper expenses incurred
by and for the establishment and MAIN
tenance of the Philippine government, and
such general improvements as the pubic
interests may demand. Local funds col
lected will be used for local purposes, and
not to be devoted TO other ends. With
such prudent and honest fiscal administra-
ton 1t is believed that the needs OF the
government, will, in short time, become
con. patible with a considerable reduction
A pure, speedy and effective admins
tration of justice VIII be esta pllshed
whereby may be eradicated the evils aris-
ing from delay, corruption and exploita-
tion.
s. The construction of roads, railroads
and similar means of communication and
transportation and other public works,
manifestly to the advantage of the Phil
ippine people, will be promoted.
g Domestic and foreign trade and COM
a. nd Rfh Q
pursuits tending toward the general de-
velopment of the country, In the interests
of the inhabitants, shall be objects OF
constant solicitude and fostering care
l0 Effective provision will be made for
the establishment of elementary schools
I'm which the children of the people may
be educated and appropriate tacllltles
will be provided for a higher education;
II Reforms in all departments Of the
government, all branches OF the public
service and all corporations closely t9uch-
ing the common life of the people, VIII oe
undertaken without delay and erected
conformably with right and justice IN a
wav 10 satisfy the well-founded demands
and the highest sentiments and aspira-
tlons OF the people. .-, a. ,,.t,.s
such Is the spirit in which the Univ go
states comes to the people OF the Philip
pinA islands and the president mas m
structed the commission TO make this
pIID''Sib In obeving his behest, the commission
ers desire TO Join the president In express
ing their good viii toward the Inlllpplnt
nssopIe' and TO extend to the leading rep.
rresantaive men an invitation to meel
them for the purpose Of personal ae.
ouaintance, and the exchange OF view
and opinions.
lSigned. ..,>,-, =, s,-r1r-pNtAN
u. 8. Commissioner.
L. S Navy.
FLwELL S. OTIS,
Major General L. s, Army.
CHARLES DENNY,
n = Commissioner.
DEAN C. WORCESTER,