The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-04-06
Weather Forecast.
PROCLAMATION TO THE FILIPINos

PROCLAMATION TO THE FILIPINOS
The proclamation of the Government
Philippine Commission addressed to the
people Of the islands of the archipelago,
goes just as far as it should. 1t is
complained by the opposition that it is
Hacking in defniteness and detail. But
the document does not warrant such
judgment Of 1t. 1t very lucidly tells
the islanders that our intention is not
to enslave them as they have been led
to believe; that we mean them good
and betterment only; that home rule
will be the order just as soon as a sta
BILE form of government is established
and peace is restored to the islands,
but that during resistance nothing will
be guaranteed or promised. That is
to say we will not treat with the IN
surgents.
We certainly cannot do so. To treat
with Aguinaldo as the anti-expansion-
lists demand, would be to recognize him
as a moral and rightful power; that
would be folly and against the simplest
order of wise judgment The insur-
gents must lay down their arms as a
condition precedent to all else. That
done they can at once enter upon the
enjoyment of their rights and privileges.
What these are to be the proclamation
makes sufficiently clear. For instance
they will have the same freedom of ac-
tion enjoyed by American citizens who
acknowledge the supremacy of the
United States and obey the laws. ap-
piicable to all alike
Religious freedom is guaranteed to
them. They will be under no compul-
SION to pay tithes to the church, tri-
butte to priests, or rates for the privi-
Iese or living, dying, marrying or be-
Ing oorn They may plant a tree with
out asking consent of a monk, and may
Tell and use it's timber without trans
1erring an interest to either church or
State, and they may make a. wheel and
Toll 1t along the highway without as
IN the past, paying wheel rate for the
privilege. To maintain economical
and orderly government they will in
common with all be called upon to nav
taxes sufficient for the maintenance Of
such government They viii have
equal standing before the law and
justice shall be dispensed among them
under laws such as govern in American
communities.
torture shall not be known, nor shall
prisoners be kept incommunicado. The
building Of good highways and rail-
roads will be encouraged and rural and
municipal betterments be proynoted
Inc Filipinos are to have local SELF
government just as far as it is prac-
tcaple under present conditions. and
II snail expand as capacity for it de-
Velops. Industry and trade, foreign
and domestic, will be promoted. indus
trial arts encouraged. Free public
scnools shall be established and faciu-
lies be provided for higher education.
REFORMS in all branches of governren y
Will be effected, and the betterment of
conditions. the uplifting and highest
oes1 welfare Of all the people. be made
tne concern Of the Government.
what more should the Filipinos ask
tnan Is thus set forth? They win not
De given license to prosecute their late
enemies, the Spanish. They will NOT
De permitted to loot cities and towns
OF 70 confiscate porperty, nor to cruelty
treat priests or other ecclesiastics. They
WIZ not be permitted to seize upon and
dominate in local government as their
own sweet Wills and misguided intelli-
sence may dictate. They must ac-
knowledge the supremacy of the Unit
eo States Government, bow obedient1y
10 It's Laws, respect its authority. and
bear such share of it's burdens as ms
ice demands. In return they are to
nave protection for their lives. their
property and their privileges, and shall
be as fully as are Americans free men
unhampered in their consciences free
IN their choice of worship, free to speak
ana write their opinions, and to assem-.
bic and discuss public affairs; free to
petition and protest without fear OF
punishment or censorship. We repeat
the question, what more can thew in
reason ask?"