The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-05
OUR COLONIES.
The Presidents Plans Relative to Their
Government.

New York, Sept. A special to the
Herald from Washington says: There Is
good authority for the statement that the
president has returned to washington
with these general ideas uppermost in
his mind as to his future course in rela-
tlon to the new dependencies:
Civil government by three commission
ers to supplement military rule immedi-
ately after the rebellion is crushed; con-
tInued military control until IL is deter
mined by means of u general election
whether the inhabitants want independ-
ence or annexation; if independence, the
new government elected will be recog-
pized by the United States and will be
given announcement and every opportu-
nfty TO establish its stability. If annexa-
ton the president will be governed by the
sentiment of American citizens as 1t may
then exist. Civil government OF the terri
torial form of that of Arizona; territorial
form of government as recommended by
the Hawaiian commission and as PROVIDED
for in a measure now pending in con-
gress.
Some weeks will elapae before the presi-
dent settles down to the actual prepare
ton of his message, but he has returned
from his vacation with some well-denned
views as to the difficult problems which
confront him and will Immediately com
mence discussions of the details with the
members of his cabinet. 1t has been gen
orally supposed that with the war still in
progress in the Philippines, the president
would avoid committing himself to recon-
mendations of the future government of
the islands but such will probably not be
the case. His Pittsburg speech leaves no
room for doubt that he will insist upon
American control of the Philippines, To
this extent he has come out squarely and
thrown down the gauntlet to the anti
expanSionists.
Mr.. Mckinley not only is in favor of
the permanent control, but is prepared
with all the forces at his command to
fight for it, but to avoid the charge of
militarism, and that is his reason for
making the recommendation. The purposes
outlining a plan to congress for submit
ting q civil form of government for the
military the moment peace is obtained
and the complete supremacy of the United
States established. Further discussions
with his cabinet may change somewhat
the presidents views as to the form OF
civil government best suited to meet the
situation, but at present the commission
idea predominates Professor Schur-
mann, president of the peace commission
is understood to favor this kind of control
and historical review recently prepared
for the president, showing that the
United States has frequently adopted this
method of control of new territory in q
the members of the administration. 1t is
appreciated that it will be some years be
fore the islands are ripe for even a ter
rttorIai form of government such as Is
proposed for Porto Rico, so that contrO
by commissioners, much the same as il
the District of Columbia, Is deemed a hap
by substitute for the military govern
meut and a safe and simple means o.
control preliminary to the establishment
of a territorial form of government, whei
II may be possible to give the natives gen
orally the right of suffrage.
The plan under consideration contem
plates three commissioners. one an arm.
officer, to have charge of financial af
fairs, another a naval officer to contro
the customs; and a third a leading Fill
Pine officer of legal experience, to lool
after the judiciary-an three to be ap
pointed by the president and confirmed b.
the senate. Further details contemplate
giving the Filipnos a voice in all mu
nicipal affairs and the most liberal self
government possible,