The suburban citizen., 1900-02-17
NAMED FOR ACTION.
WORK EXPECTED OF THE NEW
PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
DUTIES OF THE NEW BODY.
President Mckinley Carefully Selecting
Men of Character and Standing Their
Duties win be tO Organize Municipal
Government in the Islands and super
wise Their Work.

Washington, Especial The only refer
ence in the Cabinet meeting Tuesday to
matter Of public interest was as to the new
Philippine Commission. Inasmuch as the
commission will not leave this country Tor
six weeks or two months President Mchin-
ley has been in no hurry to complete the
membership. He has been carefully seeking
men of national standing and unquestioned
character. The duties of the commission
will be of the highest Importance. In Ad-
minlstration circles the new commission Is
regarded as one of the most important ever
created. 1t differs great deal from the
original Philippine Commission. That BODY
which will soon be defunct, was OF an adj
yisory nature It was to look the ground
over, confer with the Philippine leaders and
report to the President and country what
was advisable To all ntents and purposes
this has been done.
Not for l-dvice But Action.
The new commission has been created not
for advice, but for action Its duty will be
to organize municipal governments here,
there and everywhere set them going and
supervise their work till they are able to
stand firmly by themselves. Groups OF
municipalities will then be gathered under
provincial governments, and the provinces
in turn will be gathered under central
authority, at the head OF which will be
encouragement. The establishment Of
such a system on a sound footing will be the
task of the new commission.
The Southern member the President has
been seeking has not been selected. Sena-
tor McLaGrln was most prominently mem
toned at one time, but it has never been
known whether he would accept Senator
Lindsay has also been mentioned. His term
expires in March, 1901. and the seat after
that is already filed by the election of Ex-
Senator Blackburn. but it is not now be-
lieved that Senator Lindsay viii take a
place, or that it will be offered TO him by the
President.
A Coming Declaration.
1t is said that the President will soon de-
clare the insurrection in the Philippines at
on end, so far as organized rebellion is con-
cerned. Whether he will issue proclama-
tion to that effect is not known. The effect
Of his action will be the same, however. 1t
will be to put Aguinaldo and few insurgents
now harrassing the American forces on the
basis of outlaws and bandits, to be treated
be captured or encountered, This will change
the future offensive operations Of the Ameri-
can troops from q military to a police char.
acter The army will be broken into detach-
ments and scattered throughout the Islands
TO give protection and confidence to the
people.
It is too far Off to determine how many
troops will be Withdrawn from the islands,
but there will be a number, and the with
drawas will increase with time.
Agulnaldo to Continue the Struggle.
1t Is recognized in Administration circles
that Aguinaldo will try to continue desul-
tory struggle until next November, with the
hope that this may change the Presidential
election. When the President proclaims that
pence exists in the islands and that all peo-
pie must submit their controversies to the
courts or be punished accordingly, 1t Is
argued that the few insurgents will speedily
give in. Murder and arson will be punished
rs they deserve. So will all other crimes
and the Fllipinos who continue 10 intimidate
and murder natives will be treated as ban
dts and fought accordingly. No rules Of
regular warfare will be observed. Recogni-
ton OF white flags and exchanges Of prison
ers will not take place