The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1899-04-07
PROPOSALS FOR PEACE
A Proclamation Issued by the
American Commission.
HOME RULE Is PROMISED

Pine Rights and Liberties-~Deslre 60
Ascertain Native Opinion.
Manila. April 5.-A proclamation was
ISSUED yesterday by the United STATES
philippine Islands by the peace treaty
xa the Philippine Islands to the united
states, refers to the appointment or
me Commission, assures the people OF
the cordial goodwill and fraternal
feeling of the President of the United
States and the American people, ana
asserts that the object of the United
states Government, apart from the tul-
6iJment of it's solemn obligations as
sumed toward the family of nations by
she acceptance of the sovereignty over
me islands, is the Well-being, prosper
sty. and happiness of the Filipino peo-
ple. and their elevation and advance
ment to a position among the most
civilized peoples of the world. Inc
document is as follows:
The commission desires to assure the
people of the Philippine Islands of the
cordial good will and fraternal feNing
which is entertained for them by the
President of the United States and by
the American people.
The aim and object of the American
Government, apart from the fulhlment
of the solemn obligations it has as
sumed toward the family of nations by
hts acceptance of sovereignty over the
Philippine Islands, is the we'll being,
prosperity and happiness of the Philip
al and their elevation and
advancement to a position among the
most civilized peoples of the world.
The President believes that this fell
eaty and perfection of the Philippine
people is to be brought about by the
assurance of peace and order, by the
guarantee of civil and religious liberty,
by the establishment of justice, by the
cultivation of letters, science and the
liberal and practical arts, by the en-
Yargement of intercourse with foreign
nations, by expansion of industrial
pursuits, by trade and commerce, by
multiplication and improvement of the
means of internal communication, by
development, with the aid of modern
mechanical inventions, of the great
natural resources of the archipelago,
and, in a word by the uninterrupted
devotion of the people to the pursuit
of useful objects and the realization of
those noble ideas which constitute the
higher civilization of mankind.
Unfortunately these pure aims and
purposes of the American Government
and people have been misinterpreted to
some of the inhabitants of certain ISL
ands, and as a consequence the friend
ly American forces have, without pro
vocation or cause .- been openly at
tackled And why these hostinties?
What do the best Filipinos desire? Can
1t be more than the United States is
ready to give? They are patriots and
want liberty.
In the meantime the attention of the
people of the Philippines is invited to
certain reguative principles by which
the United States will be guided in it's
relations with them.
These are deemed to be the points Of
cardinal Importance:
1.-The supremacy of the United
States must and will be enforced
throughout every part of the archipel-
ago, and those who resist it can ac-
eomplish no end other than their own
ruin.
Ample Liberty and a just Government.
2-To the Philippine people will be
granted the most ample liberty and self
government of reconcilable with the
maintenance of a wise, just, stable, eff
fective and economical administration
of public affairs and compatible with
the sovereign and international rights
and the obligations of the United
States.
3-The civil rights of the Philippine
people will be guaranteed and protect
ed to the fullest extent; religious free
dom will be assured, and all persons
shall be equal and have equal standing
in the eyes of the law.
4-Honor, justice and friendship for
Did the use of the Philippine people or
the islands they inhabit as an OBJ
ject of means of exploitation. The pur-
pose of the American Government is
the welfare and the advancement of
the Philippine people.
5-There shall be guaranteed to the
Philippine people an honest and effec-
tive civil service in which, to the full
est extent to which it is practical, ma
tives shall be employed.
6-The collection and application of
all taxes and other revenues will be
placed upon a sound, economical basis,
and the public funds, raised just
V ana collected honestly. VIII De
applied only to defray the regu-
lar and proper expenses incurred
by and for the establishment
and maintenance of the Philippine
Government and such general improve
ments as the public interests may de-
mand. Local funds collected will be
used for local purposes and not to be
devoted to other ends.
With such prudent and honest fiscal
administration 1t is believed that the
needs of the government will, in
short time, become compatible with a
considerable reduction in taxation.
IA pure, speedy and effective ad-
ministration of justice will be estab-
Hshed whereby may be eradicated the
evils arising from delay, corruption
and exploitation.
Reforms of Every Description.
sLThe construction of roads, rail-
roads and similar means of communi-
cation and transportation and of other
public works, manifestly to the ad-
vantage OF the Philippine people, will
be promoted.
e-Domestic and foreign trade and
commerce, agriculture and other in
dustrial pursuits tending toward the
general development of the country, in
the interests of the inhabitants, shall
be objects of constant solicitude and
fostering care.