The Indianapolis journal., 1899-01-17
And Their Minds Freed from the False
mer Spanish Masters.
SITUATION NOW IMPROVING
REAssURING MESSAGE FROM OTIS TO
THE WAR DEPARTMENT..
views OF Ex-Minister Barrett aud
Rev. j. II. Hykes-UnusuaI Honor
for Major General LawtOn.
sneclal TO the Indianapolis Journal.


WASHINGTON, Jan. cit is stated semi
officially that the only purpose the Pres
ident has in appointing a Philippine COM
mission at this time is for the purpose of
having the commissioners confer with the
Fipinos and inform them of the friendly
intentions of this government towards
them and their country. 1t is not intended
they shall inquire into the political, social
and economic conditions of the archipelago,
but the purpose is of suggesting legislation
for it's absolute government. The commits
sioners will go as a high commission to
those insular people to overcome whatever
prejudices against the United States they
may have imbibed from sources hostile to
the United States, and to inform them it is
the intention of this country to give them
free, just and liberal government, in which
their personal rights and property will be
respected and to enable them. whenever
they shall prove themselves capable of it,
to establish an autonomous government of
their own President Mckinley believes
that by this method the unpleasant neces-
sity of using harsh measures can be avoid
ed. The duty of appointing a commission
TO make an investigation of the insular con-
ditions with the objecteof formulating fu-
ture legislation deyolves naturally upon
to leave it.
An Associated Press dispatch says: 1.-THE
Philippines commission will not be sub
Ject to the confirmation of the United
States Senate. but will be named under re-
served authority of the President, and its
expenses viii be paid out of the war appro-
priations Tt Is not expected to commit the
United States government to recognition of
the Independence of the natives, nor is it
to frame a scheme of government for the
islands, as was the case with the Hawaiian
commission. Undoubtedly, however, the
commissioners will unofficially confer with
the natives and advise with the military au-
thorities, it being felt here that men of
their experience and qualifications will be
valuable counselors in the conditions now
existing. 1t is believed that the natives
can be kept from hostiities until the ar
rival of the commission at Manila, and then
1t is hoped that the best results will follow
the visit, including the reinsurance of the
natives on many points as TO which they
are now doubtful. 1t will also be perceived
that by the appointment of the commission
the President is granting the appeal of
some of the best Filipinos, who are conf
dent that both sides will be enlightened by
its creation and declare that the United
abilities of the Filipinos for government has
been underestimated, while the Filipinos
themselves will be induced to have patience
before insisting upon self-government.
So far can be gathered the President
has not completed the list of the commis-
sioners. Supposing that he includes General
Otis and Admiral Dewey, he would add the
names of President Schurman, of the Cor
nell University, and Prof. Worcester, of Ann
Arbor. He has under consideration the
names of Charles DENLY, as the last mem
ber but as Mr.. DENLY is engaged with the
war investigation commission, at present
with an indefinite programme before him,
he has not positively decided to appoint
him. President Schurman had a talk with
the President to-day. On leaving he said
that he had accepted position on the COM
mission. Admiral Dewey and General Otis
have become familiar with many of the
practical sides of the Philippine problem.
Colonel DENLY was for many years minister
to China and is thoroughly familiar with
the people and many of the problems of
The Orient. Prof. Worcester has lived for
years in the Philippines, hunted with the
widest of the Moors and Sulus, attended
their tribal rites and studied the political
economy of the islands at close range. He
has written also book on the Philippines,
which is considered standard reference
book. and recently contributed an interest
ing series of articles on the Philippines to
the Century Magazine. President Schur-
man said the commission expected to sail
for Manila about the first of February.