The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-11

y,
and religious worship, its educational es-
Establishments and its private property OF
all descriptions, are placed under the
special safeguard of the faith and honor
of the American army.
Il believe that this pledge has been
faithfully kept. AS high and sacred an
obligation rests upon THE Government ol
the United States to give protection Ior
property and life, civil and religious tree-
dom. and wise, firm and unseltish guld-
ance in the paths of peace and prosperity
to all the people of the Philippine islands'
I charge this commission ito labor for the
full performance of this obligation, Whlch
concerns the honor and conscience OF tnell
country, in the firm hope that through
their labors all the inhabitants OF lhe
Philippine Islands may come to Look Dack
with gratitude to the day when God gave
victory to American arms at Manila, anu
set their land under the sovereignty ana
the protection of the people of the United
States"
That all might share in the regenera-
ton of the islands and participate in their
government, l directed General Mac
Arthur, the Military Governor of the
Philippines, to issue a proclamation of
amnesty, which contained among other
statements the following
Manila, P. l.. June 81, 1900
"By direction of the President of the
United States, the undersigned announces
amnesty with complete immunity for the
past and absolute liberty of action for the
future, to all persons who are now, or at
any time since February 4, 1899, have
been in Instruction against the United
States in either a military or civil ca
pacity, and who shall, within a period of
ninety days from the date hereof, formally
renounce all connection with such insur-
rection and subscribe to a declaration
acknowledging and accepting the sover-
eighty and authority of the United States
in and over the Philippine Islands. The
privilege herewith published is extended
to all concerned without any reservation
whatever, excepting that persons who have
violated the laws of war during the
period of active hostilities are not en-
braced within the scope of this amnesty.
"In order to mitigate as much as pos
sible consequences resulting from the
various disturbances which. since 1896,
have succeeded each other so rapidly. and
to provide in some measure for destitute
FlllplQO SOluleTS ire IldLolCOly
period which must inevitably succeed a
general peace, the military authorities of
the United States will pay thirty pesos
to each man who presents a rifle in good
condition.
Under their instructions the Commits
sion, composed of representative Ameri-
cans of different sections of the country
and from different political parties, whose
character and ability guarantee the most
faithful intelligence and patriotic SER
vice, are now laboring to establish stable
government under civil control, in which
the inhabitants shall participate, giving
them opportunity to demonstrate how far
they are prepared for self government.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.
This commission, under date of August
81 1900, makes an interesting report from
which l quote the following extracts
Hostility against Americans originally
aroused by absurd falsehoods of unscru-
pulous leaders. The distribution of troops
in three hundred posts has by contact
largely dispelled hostility; and steadily
| improved temper of people. This i'm
provement is furthered by abuses of in
surgents. Large numbers of people long
for peace and willing to accept govern
ment under the United States. Insur-
gents not surrendering after defeat, divid-
ed into small guerilla bands under gen
eral officers or become robbers. Nearly
all of the prominent generals and politi-
clans of the instruction except Aguinal-
do have since been captured or have sur
rendered and taken the oath of allegiance.
All Northern Luzon except two
provinces substantially free from insur-
gents. People busy planting, and asking
for municipal organization. Railway and
telegraph line from Manila to Dagupan,
1872 miles, not molested for five months.
Tagalogs alone active in leading
guerilla warfare. In Negros, Cebu, Rom
blon, Masbate, Sibuyan, Tablas, Bohol
and other Philippine Islands little distur-
bance exists and civil government eager
ly awaited. Four years Of war
and lawlessness in parts OF islands have
created unsettled conditions.
Native constabulary and militia, which
should be organized at once, will end this
and the terrorism to which defenseless
people are subjected. The natives desire
to enlist in these organizations. If judi
ciously selected and Differed, will be
efficient forces for maintenance of order
and will permit early material reduction
of United States troops. Turning
islands over to corterie Of Tagalog politi-
clans will blight fair prospects of enorm-
GUS improvement; drive out capital, make
life and property secular and religious
most insecure; Danish by fear of cruel
prescription considerable body of conser-
yative Filipinos who have aided Ameri-
cans in well-f founded belief that their
people are not now fit for self-govern-
ment, and rentrOduce some oppression
and corruption which existed in all prov
inces under Malolos insurgent government
during the eight months Of it's control
The result will be fractionaf~Strif be-
tween jealous leaders, chaos and anarchy
and will require and justify active inter-
vention of our government or some other
= Business interrupted by war
much improved as peace extends
In Negroes more sugar in cultivation than
ever before. New forestry regulations
give impetus to timber trade and reduce
high price of lumber. The customs col
lections for last quarter so per cent
greater than ever in Spanish history, and
August collections show further increase.
The total revenue for same period one
third greater than in any quarter under