The Penn's Grove record., 1899-04-07
OUR PHILIPPINE POLICY.
The Proclamation Issued by the
American Commission at Manila.
NATIVES PROMISED HOME RULE.
Fi~Iipinos Informed of the Objects OF the
United States Government In Assum-
ing Sovereignty-No Real Conflict with
Their Rights and Liberties-our Dec
Iara,ion of intentions:

ing s~overeignty-No Heal Conflict with
Their Rights and Liberties-our Dec
lara,ion Of Intentions.
MANILA (By Cable).--A proclamation
was issued by the United States Philippine
Commission. The preamble recites the
cession by the Peace Treaty OF the Philip
pine Islands to the United States, refers to
the appointment Of the Commissions as
sures the people of the cordial goodwill
and fraternal feeling Of the President
bf the United States and the Ameri-
can people, and asserts that the object
OF the United States Government,
apart from the fulnlment Of its solemn
obligations assumed toward the family OF
nations by the acceptance of the SOW
~sreignty over the islands, Is the well being3
prosperity and happiness OF the Filipino
people; and their elevation and advance
ment to a position among the most civil
lied peoples OF the world. Continuing, tno
proclamation says:
1.-THE President believes this felicity and
perfection Of the Filipino people will be
brought about by the cultivation OF letters
science, and the liberal aud practical arts
by the enlargement Of intercourse with
foreign nations, the expansion OF Indus
trial pursuits by trade and commerce, by
the multiplication and improvement OF
means OF internal communication, and by
the DEVELOPMENT OF the great natural re-
sources OF the archipelago.
UNFORTUNATELY these pure aims and pur;
poses OF tho American Government and
people have been m~isinterpreted to some
OF the inhabitants Of certain Islands, and,
In consequences, the friendly American
for,aa ,rffhat.t nrnuOnattnp nr naIQa have
been openly attacked. Why these HOSTILE
ties? What do the best Filipinos desire?
Can 1t be more than the United States is
ready to give? They say that they are
patriots and want liberty. The Commits
sion emphatically asserts that 1t is willing
and anxious to establish an enlightened
system OF government, under which the
people may enjoy the largest measure Of
home rule and the amplest liberty con-
sonant with the supreme ends OF the GOV
eminent, and o mpatiDle with those OBJ
legations which the United States has as
sumed towards the civilized nations OF the
world"
The proclamation then says there can be
no real conflict between American SOY.
ereignty and the rights and liberties of the
Filipinos; for America is ready to furnish
armies and navies and all the Infinite re-
sources of a great and powerful nation to
maintain Its rlghtful supremacy over the
Islands, so 1t is even more solicttous to
spread peace and happiness among the
people and guarantee them rightful free
dom, to protect their just privileges and
immunities, to accustom them to free self
government in an r-increasing meas
ure. and to encourage those democratic
aspirations. sentiments, aud ideals which
are the promise and potency OF fruitful ma
tional development.
The proclamation announces that the
ITO =, ~, iaaSnp will Wait tha phtlippinn DrAv-
lnces to iascertain the enlightened native
opinion as to the forms of Government
adapsed to the people, conformable with
their traditions and ideals, invites the
leading representative men to meet the
Commission, and declares that the policy
of the United States, in the establishment
md maintenance of the Government, Is to
consult the wishes and secure the advice
and cooperation of the people.
The proclamation contains eleven art
icles, declaring Americas intentions, as
follows:
/. The supremacy of the United States
must and will be enforced throughout every
part of the archipelago, and those who re-
sist can accomplish nothing except their
own ruin.
2. The amplest liberty OF self-government
will be granted which Is reconcilable with
the lust, stable, effective and economical
administration, and compatible with the
sovereign rights and obligations, OF the
United States.
guaranteed and protected, their religious
freedom will be assured, and all will have
equal standing before the law.
4. Honor, justice, and friendship forbid
the exploitation of the people Of the ISL
ands. The purpose OF the American Gov
is the welfare and advancement OF
the Philippine people.
5. Guarantees an honest and effective
civil service, in which, to the fullest extent
practicable, natives shall be employed.
6. The collection and application OF
taxes and other revenues will be put upon
asound, honest, and economical basis. The
public funds, raised justly and collected
honestly, will be applied only to defraying
the proper expenses OF the establishment
and the maintenance of the Philippine gov
eminent and sueh general improvements
as public interests demand. Local funds
! collected for local purposes shall not be
diverted to other ends. With such prudent
and honest fiscal administration it is be-
lieved the needs of the Government will In
a short time become compatible with a con-
siderable reduction In taxation.
Z. The establishment OF a pure, speedy,
and effective administration of justice, by
which the evils of delay, corruption, and
exploitation will be effectually eradicated.
s. The construction of roads, railroads
and other means OF communication and
transportation. and other public works Of
manifest advantage to the people will be
promoted.
0. Domestic and foreign trade and
commerce. and other industrial pursuits
and the general development of the coun-
try in the interest OF its Inhabitants will be
the constant objects of solicitude and fos-
tering care.
10. Effective provision will be made
for the establishment OF elementary schools
In which the children of the people wlll.be
educated. Appropriate facilities will also
be provided for higher education.
IL. Reforms in all departments OF the
government, all branches OF the public ser
vice, and all corporations closely touching
the common life of the people must be un
dertaken without delay, and effected con
formally with common right and justice
in a way to satisfy the well-founded de-
mands and the highest sentiments and as
rirations of the Philippine people.