Evening star., 1899-03-25
Matter Left to the Philippine Com
mission.
DISINCLlNAfION TO INTERFERE
The President Indisposed to Re-
verse Gen. Otis Decision.
MAKING EFFORTS FOR PEACE

II is Sdiu at tIfe w ar department tnat the
application of the Spanish government for
permission to ransom subjects of Spain held
captives by the Filipino insurgents will be
passed upon by the Philippine commission
now in session in Manila Gen. Otis has re-
fused to sanction negotiations between the
Spaniards and the Filipinos for the release
OF the Spanish prisoners held by the latter
on the ground that the money paid to the
insurgents would be employed in their op-
erations against the Americans. The Span
ism government is willing to ransom the
prisoners. and, it is said stands ready to
pay Agulnaldo representatives 5000 pesetas
for the release of each Spanish officer In
captivity, 800 pesetas for each soldier and
$500 pesetas for each Spanish civilian.
The consent of the United States govern
ment Is urged on the broad ground of hu-
manity, as it is feared that the prisoners
Will be killed or tortured il the ransom is
not forthcoming. M. Cambon, the French
ambassador, representing the Spanish gov
ernment, has presented the case to the IA
VoraDle consideration of Secretary Hay
and the National Red Cross Society is said
to nave recommended the granting of the
application.
The President, to whom the matter has
been presented is disinclned to interfere
with the policy of Gen. Otis in the Philip
pines in any respect, and will not reverse
eis decision regarding the Spanish prison
IL - uIlueTStOOQ, except upon the rec
ommendation of the Philippine commission
or which both Gen. Otis and Admiral Dewey
are members. The commission has been
specially charged TO consider this question
ton of affairs in the Philippines and a re-
Fort IS expected from them in a few days.
The Alleged Proclamation.
No official confirmation has been received
here of the report that the commission have
issued proclamation setting forth the pa
cihc purposes of the United States in the
government of the Philippines, but such
acton is clearly within the scope of their
instructions whenever they consider the
conditions Justify it. The character of the
proposed proclamation can be fairly inferred
from the general tenor of instructions TO
the commissioners prepared by the Presi-
dent in January.
Instructions to the Commission
In order to give a clearer UNDERSTANDING
OF the matter the following portions of the
letter of instructions are reproduced here:
In the performance of this duty the com
missioners are enjoined to meet at the eari-
est possible day in the city of Manila and to
announce by public proclamation their
presence and the mission intrusted to them,
carefully setting forth that, while the mill
ftary government already proclaimed is to
be maintained and continued so long as ne
cessty may require, efforts will be made to
alleviate the burdens of taxation, to eSta b.
ish industrial and commercial prosperity
and to provide for the safety of persons
and of property by such means as as may
be found conducive to these ends. The COM
missioners will endeavor, without interfer-
ence with the military authorities of the
United states now in control of the Philip
pines. to ascertain what amelioration in the
condition of the inhabitants and what i'm
provements in public order may be1practi-
cable and for this purpose trey will study
attentively the existing social and political
state of the various populations. particular
iy as regards the forms of local government,
the administration of justice the collection
of customs and other taxes, the means of
transportation and the need Of public i'm
provements. ~; I. -.
1.-The commissioners are hereby author
lied to confer authoritativeiy with any per-
sons resident in the islands from whom.
they may believe themselves able to, de
rive Information or suggestions valuable
for the purposes of their commission, or
whom they may choose to employ as agents,
as may be necessary for this purpose. The
commission may render valuable services
by examining with special care the leglSla-
tive needs of the various groups of inhabi-
tants and by reporting, with recommended
tions the measures which should be insti-
tuted for the maintenance of order peace,
and public welfare, either as temporary
steps, to be taken Immediately fer & the
perfection of the present administration, or.
as suggestions for future legislation. In so
far as Immediate personal changes in the
civil administration may seem to be ad-
yisable, the commissioners are empowered
to recommend suitable persons for appoint
ment to these offices from among the inhab-
itants of the islands who have previously
acknowledged their allegiance to this gov
ernment. 1t is my desire that in all their
relations with the inhabitants of the is
lands the commissioners exercise due re-
spect for all the ideas, customs and insti
tutions of the tribes and races which COM
pose the population, emphasizing upon all
occasions the Just and beneficient intentions
of the government of the United Statese,