The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1899-03-11
Sent by Him to the Philippine
Islands.--To Gain Inf0r.
nation a.
That Will Assist the Government
in Its Future Relations the
Principal Object.
May Recommend Civil Appoint
ments, But the Government
Remains Military.


the situation in the PHILIPPINES is
awakened by the establishment at Ma
Mia of the civilian members of the
commission which has been designated
by the president to represent him in the
archipelago. The speculation regarding
duties and authority of the commission
are set at rest by the pub
a1ication of the order of the presi-
dent to the secretary of state. It
will be noted that the military govern
ment of the islands under General Otis
will be continued without interference
until congress makes other provision
and that the commissions power, while
important, is largely advisory. The Or
der says; ...s...
The President's Order.
sin order to facilitate the most hu-
name, specific and effective extension of
authority throughout these islands, and
to secure with the least possible delay
the benefits Of wise and generous pro-
lection of life and property to the in
habitants, have named Jacob &.
Schurman, Rear Admiral George Dew
ey, Major General Elwell S. Otis,
Charles DENLY and Dean L. Worcester
to constitute commission to aid in the
accomplishment Of these results:
"In the performance of this duty the
commissioners are enjoined to meet at
the earliest possible day in the City of
Manila and to announce by a public
proclamation their presence and the
mission intrusted to them, carefully
setting forth while the military govern
ment already proclaimed is to be main
tained and continued 80 long as neces-
sity may require, efforts will be made
to alleviate the burdens of taxation, to
establish industrial and commercial
measures and to provide for the safety
of persons and of property by such
means as may be found conducive to
these ends.
1.-The commissioners will endeavor
without interference with the military
of the United States now in control of
the Philippines to ascertain what amel-
ioration in the condition of the inhabi-
tants and what Improvements in public
order may be practicable, and for this
purpose they will study attentively the
existing political and social state Of the
various populations, particularly as re-
CARDS the forms Of local government,
the administration of justice. the col
lection of customs and other taxes, the
means of transportation and the need of
public Improvements.
Report Through State Department.
They will report through the state de-
partment the results of their observa-
tions and reflections, and will report
such executive action as may from time
to time seem to them wise and useful.
1.-The commissioners are hereby auth
orized to confer authoratively with any
persons resident in the islands from
whom they may believe themselves able
to derive information or suggestions
valuable for their own purpose or whom
they may choose to employ as agents, as
may be necessary for this purpose.
1.-The temporary government of the
islands is intrusted to the military au-
thorities and will so continue until con-
gress shall determine otherwise. The
commission may render valuable serv.
ices by examining with special care the
Legislative needs Of the various groups
of inhabitants, by reporting, with rec.
concentrations, the measures which
should be instituted for the main
tenance of order, peace and public wei.
fare, either as temporary steps to be
taken Immediately for the perfection OF
present administration, or as sugges.
tions for future legislation.
Empowered to Recommend.
s'In so far as immediate personal
changes in the civil administration may
seem to be advisable the commissioners
are empowered to recommend suitable