The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-03-08
OWL Commissioners Constitute
an Advisory Board Ia the
PHILIPPINES.
THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT
VIII Continue In Force U1ill 0theS
Provision shall B Made by Con
grtSs Commissions Duties.

NEW YORK March IA dispatch 10
iht Tribune from Washington says. RE-
newed interest In the sltuauon In the
Philippines 10 awakened 20 the establlsh-
neBt at Manila Of the civilian members
II the commission witch has been des.
ignated by the president 70 represent
him In tho archipelago
The speculation regarding the duties
o. this commission and the authority II
Will have IN the colonial government are
set At rest by the public attention OF the
order issued bJ the president II viii b.,
noted that the military government N
The islands under General Otis will be
continued without interference untll
congress makes another provision. and
that the commissions powers. Whl.e i'm
portant, are very largely advisory. The
order says:
I'm order 10 facilitate he most humane.
specific and effective extension OF au.
thority throughout those Islands and 10
secure with ihe least possible delay the
benefits OF a wise and generous protec-
tion Of life and property 10 The lnhab-
itan,s have named Jacob @. schur-
man. Rear Admiral George Dewey. Ma
ior General Elwcg s. Otis. Charles Denby
aud Dean g. Worcester 10 constitute a
commission TO aid In the accomplish.
meni Of these results
In the performance OF this duty the
commissioners are enjolned to meet at
tha earliest possible day In the city OF
Manila and 10 announce by pubic
proclamation their presence and the mis-
sion entrusted to them. carefully setting
forth that. while the military government
already proclaimed Il to be maintained
and continued so long as necessity may
require. efforts will be made 10 alleviate
the burden of taxation, to establish In
dustrlal and commercial prosperity and
to provide for the safety Of persons and
property by such means as may b. found
oonddt,vc to these ends.
THE commissioners win endeavor
without interference with the military
authorities now In control Of the Philip
pines 10 ascertain what anne iorailon in
the condition Of the inhabitants and what
improvements In public order may be-
practicable. and for this purpose they
will study auentively the existing social
and political state OF the various popu-
ht!ons particularly as regards the forms
Of local government the administration
OF justice. the collection OF customs aud
other taxes. the means OF transportation
and the needs OF pubic Improvements.
They Will report through the state
department according to the forms Gus
tomary or hereafter prescribed for trans
mltiing and preserving such commuulca-
tlons. the results OF their observations
and reflections. and viii recommend such
executive action as may from time 10
tins seem to them wise and useful.
The commissioners are hereby author
ized to confer authorltatively with any
persons resident In the islands from
whom they may believe themselves able
10 derive information or suggestions
for the purposes OF their COM
mission or whom they may choose 10
employ as agents as may be Necessary
for this purpose
THE temporary government OF the
lsldnuN Is lHtTuekcu 10 tue military Nu-
thorIties. and will continue until congress
shall determine otherwise. The commits
sion may render valuable services by eX-
amlning with special care the leg.sla-
tive needs OF the various groups OF In
hnbtants. and by reporting, with rec
the measures which
should he Instituted for the maintenance
of order, peace and public welfare, either
as temporary steps TO be taken lmmedi-
n'ely for the perfection OF the present
administration or as suggestions for fu-
ture legislation.
insofar as nmedatd personal
changes In the civil administration may
seem TO be advisable. the commissioners
ARE empowered TO recommend suitable
persons for appointment to those offices
from among the Inhabitants Of the
Islands who have previously acknowl-
edged their allegiance to this govern
ment.
at is my desire that In all their rela-
tons with the inhabitants OF the islands
the commissioners exercise due respect
for all the Ideals customs and institu-
tions OF the tribes and races which COM
pose the population, emphasizing upon
all occasions the just and beneticent In
tentions Of the government OF the United
0,ota, H.H nHITf IH