The record-union., 1899-11-04
Says II Is an Absolutely Truthful Rspressk-
tatIaa Of the Situation.
Never Has Been Moment Since
the First Gun Was Fired That
the United States Could Have
Withdrawn From the Islands,
and the Reasons Set Forth Why
Permanent American Control is
Essential Are Immovable.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3.-With the
submission of their preliminary report
to the President, members of the COM
mission felt at liberty for the first time
since their arrival in the United States
to partly discuss the subject of their
investigation.
Il wish you would say for me- said
Admiral Dewey, that I indorse every
word of the commissions admirable re-
port. 1 can say this with perfect pro-
priety, for the reason that did not
write it. 1t was written by the liter
ary member of the commission after
full and free conference between us,
but on every conclusion reached We
were unanimous. It is an absolutely
truthful representation of all that has
happened and of the existing situation
There has never been a moment
since the first gun was fired that the
United States could have withdrawn
from the islands and the reasons set
forth in the report as to why permanent
American control is essential are, in
my opinion, immovable. There is no
other alternative That the Tagalos
are realizing it is shown by the rapid
disintegration from Aguinaldo's ranks.
1.-The later advices show a very de-.
cided improvement in the situation.
look for an early termination of the
war. In fact. 1 firmly believe that the
bottom has dropped out of the insur-
rection"
"As soon as the Tagalo insurrection
is suppressed" said President Schur-
man last night, "the United States
should Immediately establish a govern
ment to be administered at first under
the direction of the War Department,
but by progressive stages, to be finally
placed in the hands Of the Filipincs
under American sovereignty.
Ny idea is that there should be pro-
gressive elf-government, a gradual de-
velopment of home government as the
Filipino becomes more experienced in
political affairs and sufficiently edu-
Gated to understand the questions with
which he has to deal. What the char
acter of this government should be is
matter which has not been touched
upon by the commission in it's prelini-
nary statement. 1 will not say that it
has not been considered, for it has, 1t
is proposed to deal carefully with this
matter in the report of the commission.
Il should think at first there should
rbe Governor General appointed by
the President; he should be assisted in
administering the affairs of the island
by Cabinet composed of representa-
tive men of the several tribes. This
would eventually develop into the leg
islature of the archipelago. The pro-
vinces should be administered by
Americans or by educated F'ilipinos
under American guidance, and the
cities and towns by Mayors elected by
the people, possessing certain educa-
tional or properly qualifications or both
as may be determined. 1t seems to me
that the constitution prepared for the
island of Negros by the commission is
an excellent instrument to consider in
connection with the government to be
given to the island of Luzon.
Professor Worcester said: "I am not
prepared at this time to give an expert
opinion on the war, but I believe the
Filipinos are in a very tight place. Yes,
they have been in tight places before
this, but their condition at this time
seems to me to be critical.
Nothing now but a policy of doubt,
hesitation and timidity on our part will
encourage the Filipinos to continue