The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1899-04-07
OUR PHILIPPINE Wards.
4 Proclamation Issued by tn,
American Philippine Commits
sion to the Filipinos.
THE ATTITUDE OF THE UNITED STATES.
The Fifipinos Are Told of the Aims
and Aspirations of Those who
Have Broken the Spanish Yoke,
and Invited 40 Give Their New
Rulers Fair Trial.

Manlia. ApTii r. he Intiippfhts
commission having decided to with
hold the proclamation to the people Of
the Philippine islands no longer, Presi-
dent Schurman has isused the mani
festo.
The preamble of the proclamation
recites the cesseion by the peace
treaty of the Philippine islands to the
United States, refers TO the appoint
ment of the commission, assures the
people of the cordial good will and
fraternal feeling of the president If
the United States and the American
people, and asserts the object which
the United States government, apart
legations, has assumed towards the
family of nations by the acceptance
of the sovereignty over the islands. is
the well-being. prosperity and happl-
ness of the Philippine people and their
elevation and advancement to a posi-
ton among the civilized peoples of the
world.
The Presidents Belief.
The president believes that this
felicity and perfection of the Philip
pine 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 JUS
tlce, by the cultivation of letters,
Eoience and the liberal and practical
arts, by the enlargement of inter
course with foreign nations. by expan-
sior of industrial pursuits, by trade
and commerce, by multiplication and
improvement of the means of internal
communication, 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 high
Ell civilization of mankind.
Aims Misinterpreted.
Unfortunately, these pure aims and
purposes of the American government
ard people have been misinterpreted
to some of the inhabitants of certain
islands, and as consequence the
friendly American forces have, with
out provocation or cause, been openly
attacked. And why these hostilities?
What do the best Filipinos desire?
Car il be more than the United States
is ready to give? They are patriots
and want liberty.
Attention Invited.
In the meantime the attention of TIE
people of the Philippines is invited to
certain regulative principles by which
the United States will be guided in it's
relations with them. These are deemed
to the points of cardinal Importance:
/. The supremacy of the United States
must and will be enforced throughout
every part of the archipelago, and those
who resist 1t can accomplish no end other
than their own ruin.
:. To the Philippine people will be grant
ed the most ample liberty and self-gov-
eminent reconciliable with the mainte-
nance of a wise, just, stable, effective and
economical administration of public af-
fairs and compatible with the sovereign
and International rights and the obliga-
tions of the United States,
g. The civil rights of the Philippine peo-
PIE VIII be guaranteed, and protected to
the fullest extent; religious freedom will
be assured and all persons shall be equal
and have equal standing in the eyes of
the law.
4. Honor, justice and friendship forbid
the use of the Philippine people or the is
lands they inhabit an object or means
OF exploitation. The purpose OF the
American government is the welfare and
| the advancement of the Philippine people
.. There shall be guaranteed to the Phil
civil service in which, to the fullest ex
| tent &c which 1t is practical natives shall
| be employed
6. The collection and application of all
| he nj aa1
| upon sound, economical basis, and the
public funds. raised justly and collected
honestly, Will be applied only TO defray
| the regular and proper expenses incurred
| by and for the establishment and main
tenance of the Philippine government, and
| such general improvements as the public
| interests may demand. Local funds COL
| leoted Will be used for local purposes and
not TO be devoted TO other ends With
| such prudent and honest fiscal administra-
| ton II is believed that the needs of the
| government will. In a short time become
CON patible with considerable reduction
in taxation.
Z. A pure. speedy and effective admins
tration of justice will be established
| whereby may be eradicated the evils arts
| ton.
s, The construction of roads railroads
| transportation and other public works,
| manifestly TO the advantage of the Phil
| IL pine people will be promoted
| 3. Domestic and foreign trade and COM
| merce, agriculture and other industrial
| pursuits tending toward the general de-
| velopment of the country, in the interests
| of the inhabitants, shall be objects OF
| constant solicitude and fostering care
| TO- Effective provision will be made for
| the establishment of elementary schools
| IN which the children of the people may
be, educated and appropriate facilities
| will be provided for higher education
| II. Reforms in all departments of the
| government, all branches of the public
| service and all corporations closely touch
| ing the common life of the people, will be
undertaken without delay and effected
| conformably with right and justice In a
way to satisfy the well-founded demands
and the highest sentiments and aspira-
| tions of the people
| Such Is the spirit in which the Unit I'd
| States comes TO the people of the Philip
pine islands, and the president has in
structed the commission to make this
| publicly known.
In obeying his behest the commission
ers desire to Join the president In express.
| ms their good viii toward the Philippine
| people, and to extend TO the leading rem
| resentaive men an invitation to meet
them for the purpose OF personal ac-
quaintanee, and the exchange of views
| and opinions.
| ISigned.l
/ JACOB GOULD SCHURMAN.
4 az.