Evening star., 1899-03-07
Instructions for the Commissioners.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,

Washington, January ~, 1919.
To the Secretary of State:
My communication to the Secretary of
War; dated December 21 1898, declares the
necessity of extending the actual occupation
and administration of the city, harbor and
bay of Manila to the whole of the territory
which, by the treaty of Paris, signed De-
cember 10, 1898, passed from the sovereign
ty Of Spain to the sovereignty of the United
states, and the consequent establishment of
military government throughout the entire
group of the Philippine Islands.
While the treaty has not yet been ratified,
1t is believed that it will be by the time of
the arrival at Manila of the commissioners
named below. In order to facilitate the
most humane, specific and effective extern
sion of authority throughout these islands,
and to secure with the least possible delay
the benefits of a wise and generous protec-
tlon of life and property to the inhabitants,
| have named Jacob G. Schurman, Rear
Admiral George Dewey Major General FL
well S. Otis Charles DENLY and Dean c.
Worcester TO constitute d commission to aid
in the accomplishment of these results.
In the performance of this duty the COM
mlSslonerS are enJoined to meet at the
earliest possible day in the city of Manila.
and to announce by public proclamati ton
their presence and the mission intruSted to
them, carefully setting forth that, while
the military government already proclaim
ed is to be maintained and continued so
long as necessity may require. efforts will
be made to alleviate the burdens of taxa
ton, to establish industrial and commercial
prosperity, and to provide for the safety of
persons and of property by such means
may be found conducive TO these ends.
To Study Conditions and Report.
The commissioners will endeaVor. without
interference with the military authorities of
the United States now in control of the
Philippines. to ascertain what ameioration
in the condition of the inhabitants and what
improvements in public order may be prac
ticable, and for this purpose they will study
attentiyely the existing social and political
state of the various populations, particular
ly regards the forms of local govern
ment, the administration of justice, the col
lection of customs and other taxes the
means of transportation and the need of
public improvements.
They will report through the State De-
partment, according to the forms custom
airy or hereafter prescribed for transmit
ting and preserving such communications,
the results of their observations and retiec-
tions, and will recommend such executive
action as may from time TO time seem to
them wise and useful.
The commissioners are hereby authorized
to confer authoritatively with any persons
resident in the islands from whom they
may believe themselves able to derive in
formation or suggestions valuable for the
purposes of their commission, or whom
they may choose to employ as agents, as
may be necessary for this purpose.
The temporary government Of the islands
is intruSted to the military authorities as
already provided for by my instructions to
the Secretary of War of December y,
1898 and will continue until Congress shall
determine otherwise.
To Recommend Measures.
The commission may render valuable ser
vices by examining with special care the
legislativ needs of the various groups of
inhabitants, and by reporting. with recon-
mendations, the measures which should be
peace and public welfare, either tempo
rary steps to be taken Immediately for the
perfection of present administration, as
suggestions for future legislation
In SO far as immediate personal changes
in the civil administration may seem to be
advisable the commissioners are empow
cred to recommend suitable persons for ap-
pointment to these offices from among the
inhabitants of the islands who have pre-
viously acknowledged their allegiance to
this government.
1t is my desire that in all their relations
with the inhabitants of the island the COM
miSSioners exercise due respect for all the
ideals, customs and institutions of the
tribes and races which compose the popula-
ton, emphasizing upon all occasions the
just and beneficent intentions of the gov
ernment of the United States.
1t is also my wish and expectation that
manner due to the honored and authorized
representatives of the American republic,
duly commissioned on account of their
knowledge skill and integrity as bearers
OF the good will, the protection and the
richest blessings of liberating rather than
conquering nation.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY