The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-04-19
CUR PHILIPPINE POLICY.
The Proclamation Issued by the
American Commission at Manila.
NATIVES PROMISED HOME RULE

caipinos Informed OF the Objects OF the
Unl,ed States Government in Assum.
ing gSovereignty-No Real Conflict With
Their Rights and Liberties-0ur Dec
laration Of Intentions.
MANILA (By Cahie).-A proclamation
was issued by the United States Philippine
Commission. The preamble recites the
cession by the Peace Treaty OF the Philip.
pine Islands to the United States, refers tc
the appointment OF the Commission, as
sures the people OF the cordial goodwill
and fraternal feeling Of the President
u the United States and the Amerl-
can people, and asserts that the cbjec'
OF the Uaitel States Government
apart from the fulflment OF It's solemn
obligations assumed toward the family OF
nations by the acceptance Of the SOW
ereignty over the islands, Is the we'll being.
prosperity and happiness OF the Filipino
people, and their elevation and advance
nent to position among the most civil.
lied peoples Of the world. Continuing, the
proclamation says:
"Ths President believes this felicity and
perfection OF the Filipino people will bs
brought about by the cultivation OF letters.
science, and the liberal and practica! arts,
by the enlargement OF intercourse with
foreign nations, the expansion OF indus.
trial pursuits by trade and commerce, by
The multiplication and improvement OF
n. .ans OF internal communication, and by
the development OF the great natural re-
sources OF the archipelago.
Unfortunately these pure aims and pur..
poses OF the American Government AMI
people have been mislnterpreted to some
OF the inhabitants Of certain islands, and,
in consequence, the friendly American
forces, without provocatlon or cause, have
been openly attacked. Why these hostlli.
ties? What do the best Fllipinos desirei
Can 1t be more than the United States is
ready to give2 They say that they ore
patriots and want liberty. The Comnis.
sion emphaticalty asserts that it Is willing
and anxious to establish an enlightened
system OF government, under which the
people may enjoy the largest measure oil
home rule aud the amplest liberty con.
sonant with the supreme ends OF the Gov.
ernment, and compatible with those Oh.
legations which the United States has as.
sumed towards the civilized nations OF the
world"
The proclamation then says there can be-
40 real conflict between American SOW.
erelgnty and the rights and liberties OF the
Filipinos; for America is ready to furnish
armies and navles and all the Infinite re.
sources OF a great and powerful nation to
maintain its rightful supremacy over the
Islands, 80 1t is even more solicitous to
spread peace and happiness among the
people and guarantee them rlghtful free:
dom, to protect their just privileges and
immunities, to accustom them to free SELL
government In an ever-increasing meas.
ure, and to encourage those democratic
aspirations. sentiments, and ideals which
are the promise and potency OF fruitful ma
tlonal development.
The proclamation announces that the
Commission will visit the Philippine prov
opinion as to the forms of Government
adapted to the people, conformable with
their traditions and ideals, invites the
leading representative men to meet the
Commission, and declares that the policy
OF the United States, in the establishment
and maintenance OF the Government, Is to
consult the wishes and secure the advice
and cooperation Of the people.
The proclamation contains eleven art
.cles, declaring Americas intentions, az
follows:
l. The supremacy OF the United States
must and will be enforced throughout every
part OF the archipelago, and those who re-
sist can accomplish nothing except theil
own ruin.
Q. The amplest liberty OF self-government
will be granted which Is reconcilable With
the just, stable, effective and economical
administration, and compatible with the
sovereign rights and obligations, OF the
United States.
8. The civil rights OF the FllIpinos will be
guaranteed and protected, their religtous
freedom will be assured, and all Will have
equal standing before the law.
4. Honor, justice, and friendship forbid
The exploitation Of the people OF the ISL
ands. The purpose OF the American Gov.
ernment Is the welfare and advancement o!
The Philippine people:
s. Guarantees an honest and effective
Evil service, In which, to the fullest extent
practicable, natives shall be employed.
6. The collection and application OF
sound, honest, and economical basis. The
public funds, raised justly and collected
honestly, will be applied only to defraying
the proper expenses Of the establishment
and the maintenance of the Philippine gov.
srnment and such general improvements
az public interests demand. Local funds
collected for local purposes shall not be
diverted to other ends. With such prudent
and honest fiscal administration, 1t Is be.
lleved the needs OF the Government VIII IN
a short time become compatible with con.
siderable reduction in taxation.
7. The establishment OF a pure, speedy,
and effective administration OF justice, by
which the evils OF delay, corruption, and
exploitation will be efiectually eradicated.
8. The construction OF roads, railroads
aud other means Of communication and
transportation, and other public works OF
manifest advantage to the people will be
promoted.
9. Domestic and foreign trade and
commerce and other industrial pursuits
and the general development OF the coun-
try In the interest OF its Inhabitants will be
the constant objects OF sollcltude and fos.
lering care.
10. Effective provision will be made
.or the establishment OF elementary schools
in which the children OF the people will be
educated. Appropriate facilities will also
be provided for higher education.
II. Reforms In all departments of the
government, all branches OF the public ger.
vice, and all corporations closely touching
the common life OF the people must be un
dertaken without delay, and effected con.
formally with common right and justice,
n way to satisfy the well-fouuded de-
mands and the highest sentiments and az
pirations Of the Philippine people.
Britain to Fortiry the FaIklands.