The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1899-04-12
explain OUR Intentions
The American Commissioners in the
Philippines Issue a Proclama-
ton to the Natives.
ASSURANCES OF CORDIAL GOODWILL.
L. the WeII-Being. Prosperity and
Happiness OF the People - Civil
Rights VIII he Protected and Re-
forms In Government Undertaken


forms In Government Undertaken
Manila, April 5.-The following is the
text of the proclamation issued by the
United States Philippine commission
ers to the public:
THE commission desires to assure the
people of the Philippine islands OF the cor
dial good will and fraternal feeling which
is entertained for them by the president
of the United Statesand by the American
people.
1.-THE aim and object of the American
government, apart from the fulfillment OF
the solemn obligations it has assumed to-
ward the family of nations by its accept
ance OF sovereignty over the Philippine
islands, is the we.l-being, prosperity and
happiness of the Philippine people and
their elevation and advancement to po-
sition among the most civilized peoples OF
the world
The president believes that this felicity
anG perfection of the Philippine people is
10 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 letters
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
piication and Improvement OF the means OF
internal communication, by development
with the aid of modern mechanical inven-
lions of the great natural resources of the
archipelago. and, in a word, by the unin-
terrupted devotion of the people TO the
pursuit of useful objects and the realiZa-
ton of those noble ideas which constitute
the higher civilization of mankind.
Unfortunately. these pure aims and pur-
poses of the American government and
people have been misinterpreted to some
Of the inhabitants of certain islands, and,
a s a consequence the friendly American
forces have, without provocation or cause,
been openly attacked, and why these hos
tilities? What do the best Filipinos de-
sire? Can 1t be more than the United
States Is ready to give? They are patriots
and want liberty
Points of Cardinal Importance.
I'm the meantime the attention OF the
people of the Philippines is invited to GER
tain regulation principles by which the
United States will be guided in it's relate
with them, These are deemed to be the
points of cardinal Importance:
= Il The supremacy OF the United States
w. and will be enforced throughout every
part of the archipelago, and those who re-
sist it can accomplish no end other than
their own ruin
go To the Philippine people will be grant
ed the most ample liberty and self-gov-
eminent reconcilable with the mainte-
nance of a wise, just, stable. effective and
economical administration of public af-
fairs and compatible with the sovereign
and international rights and the obligations
of the United States.
''3IThe civil rights OF the Philippine peo-
pie will be guaranteed and protected to
the fullest extent; religious freedom will
be assured. and all persons shall be equal
and have equal standing in the eyes OF the
law.
~ Honor. justice and friendship forbid
the use OF the Philippine people or the is
lands they inhabit as an object or means
OF exploitation. The purpose Of the Amer
lean government is the welfare and the
advancement Of the Philippine people.
"5. There shall be guaranteed to the Phil
ippine people an honest and effective civil,
service in which. to the fullest extent 10
which it is practical, natives shall be en-
ploYed
Sc. The collection and application of all
taxes and other revenues will be placed
upon 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 mainte
nance of the Philippine government and
such general improve ments as the public
interests may demand. Local funds col
iected will be used for local purposes and
not be devoted to other ends with
such prudent and honest fiscal adm inistra-
ton, II is believed that the needs of the
government will in a short time become
compatible with a considerable reduction
in taxation.
-. A pure, speedy and effective admin
iStration Of justice Will be established
whereby may be eradicated the evils aris-
ing from delay, corruption and exploita-
ton.
and similar means of communication and
Transportation and Of other public works.
manifestly to the advantage OF the Philip
pine people, will be promoted.
80 Domestic and foreign trade and com
merce. agriculture and other Industrial
pursuits tending toward the general devel-
opment Of the country, in the interests Of
Tie Inhabitants, shall be objects of con-
slant solicitude and fostering care.
10. Effective provision will be made for
the establishment of elementary schools I'm
which the children of the people may be
educated and appropriate facilities will be
provided for a higher education.
III. Reforms IN all departments of the
government, all branches of the public
service and all corpora lions closely touch
ing the common life of the people will be
undertaken without delay and effected con-
formally with right and justice in a way
to satisfy the well-fouuded demands and
the highest sentiments and aspirations of
the people.
such is the spirit in which the United
States comes to the people of the islands,
and the president has instructed the com
mission 10 make this publicly known.
I'm obeying his behest, the commission
ers desire to join the president in express
ing their good will toward the Philippine
people, and to extend to the leading rep
resentative men an invitation to meet
them for the purpose Of personal acduain-
lance and the exchange of Views and opin-
ions.
(Signed)
JACOB GOULD sCHURMAN, U. s.
Commissioner.
GEORGE DEWEY, u. s. Navy.
"ELWELL s. OTIS, Major General. u.
s. Army
CHARLES DENLY, U. S. Commission.
DEAN c. WORCESTER, u. S. Com
missioner"
Declare for Gold Standard.
Naxv Vorl, AnriI 1o-The axaoutiva