The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1900-09-20

Tonaii ue determined Dy the congress-"
Eleven days thereafter, on Dec. 81, the fol-
Moving direction was given to the command
.er of our forces in the Philippines:
THE military commander of the United
States Is enjoined to make known to the In
habitants of the Philippine Islands that, In
succeeding to the sovereignty Of Spain, in
ssevering the former political relations of the
Inhabitants and In establishing a new pollt-
deal power, the authority of the United
States is to be e1erted fer the securing of
the persons and property of the people of
the islands and for the confirmation of all
their private rights and relations. 1t will
lbe the duty of the commander of the forces
of occupation to announce and proclaim in
the most public manner that we come not
las invaders or conquerors, but US friends, to
protect the natives In their homes, in their
e%mployments and in their personal and re-
ligious rights
Sent a Commission
In order to facilitate the most humane,
pacific and effective extension Of authority
throughout these Islands, and to secure, with
the least possible delay, the benefits Of a
wise and generous protection of life and
property to the Inhabitants. I appointed In
January, 1899, a commission consisting of
Jacob Gould Schurman of New York, Ad-
miral George Dewey, u. s. NJ; Charles
DENLY Of Indiana, Professor Dean c.. Wor-
cester of Michigan, and Major General Ell
well S. Otis, U. s. A. Their instructions
contained the following:
'In the performance of this duty the COM
mlssioncrs are enjoined to meet at the
earliest 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
military government already proclaimed is
to be maintained and continued SO long as
necessity may require, efforts will be made
to alleviate the burden of taxation, to estab-
lish Industrial and commercial prosperity,
and to provide for the safety Of persons and
of property by such means as may be found
conducive to these ends.
Given Careful Instructions.
''The commissioners will endeavor, with
out interference with the military authori-
ties of the United States now in control of
the Philippines, to ascertain what ameliora-
tlon in the condition of the Inhabitants and
what Improvements in public order may be
practicable, and for this purpose they will
study attentively the existing social and po-
litlcal state Of the various populations, par
ticularly us regards the forms Of local gov
eminent, the administration Of justice, the
collection Of customs and other taxes, the
means of transportation, and the need of
public improvements. They will report
ss" the results Of their observations and
reflections, and will recommend such execu-
tive action as may from time to time seem
to them wise and useful.
1.-The commissioners are hereby authorized
to confer authoritatively with any persons
resident in the islands from whom they may
believe themselves able to derive informa-
ton or suggestions valuable for the pur-
poses of their commission, or whom they
may choose to employ as agents, as may be
necessary for this purpose.
Avoided Harsh Measures.
at is my desire that In all their relations
with the Inhabitants of the islands the COM
missioners exercise due respect for all the
ideals, customs and institutions of the tribes
which compose the population, emphasizing
upon all occasions the just and benehcent in
%tentions of the government Of the United
States.
at Is also my wish and expectation that
the commissioners may be received in a
manner due to the honored and authorized
representatives Of the American Republic,
duly commissioned on account of their
knowledge, skill and integrity as bearers of
the good will, the protection and the richest
blessings of a liberating rather than a con-
rquering nation"
On the 9Th of February, 1899, the treaty
was ratified by the Senate of the United
States, and the Congress Immediately ap-
propriated $40, 600, 600 to carry out its pro-
visions. The ratifcations were exchanged
by the United States and Spain on the 18th
of April, 1899.
AS early as April, 1899, the Philippine.
commission, Of which DR.. Schurman was
president, endeavored to bring about peace
In the Islands by repeated conferences with
leading Tagalogs representing the so-called
lnsurgent government, to the end that some
general plan Of government might be offered
them which they would accept.
Pleased the Natives.
So great was the satisfaction Of the insur-
gent commissioners with the form Of gov
eminent proposed by the American COM
missloners that the latter submitted the
proposed scheme to me for approval, and my
action thereon is shown by the cable mes
sage following:
May 5, 1899. Schurman, Manila: Yours
4th received. You are authorized to propose
that, under the military power Of the Presi-
dent, pending action Of Congress, govern
ment Of the Philippine Islands shall consist
of a governor general appointed by the
President, cabinet appointed by the govern
or general, a general advisory council elect
ed by the people, the qualifications Of elect
'ors to be carefully considered and deter
mined, and the governor general to have abb
asolute veto. Judiciary strong and indie
pendent, principal judges appointed by the
President. The cabinet and judges to be
chosen from natives or Americans, or both,
having regard to fitness.
1.-The President earnestly desires the cessa-
tion of bloodshcd and that the people Of the
Philippine Islands at an early date shall
have the largest measure of local self-gov-
eminent consistent with peace and good
order.
Signs of Treachery.
In the latter part Of May another group
of representatives came from the insurgent
leader. The whole matter was fully dis
cussed with them and promise of acceptance
seemed near at hand. They assured our
commissioners they would return after con-
ssulting with their leader, but they never did.
AS a result Of the views expressed by the
first Tagalog representative favorable to the
plan Of the commission, 1t appears that he
was, by military order Of the insurgent
fleader, stripped Of his shoulder straps, dis
missed from the army and sentenced to
twelve years Imprisonment.
The views of the commission are best set
forth in theirlown words:
'Deplorable as war is. the one In which
we are now engaged was unavoidable by us.
we were attacked by q bold, adventurous