The Savannah morning news., 1900-09-10

:ha; shrough their labors an the inhabi-
I tauts Of the Philippine Islands may come
/ 20. look back with gratitude TO the day
when God gave victory 20 American arms
/ IN Manila and set their land under the
sovereignty and the protection OF the
I people OF the United States"
Proclamation of Amnesty.
That an might share In the regeneration
Of the islands aud participate la their
government. / directed Gen. Macarthur.
| the military governor OF the Philippines
| 70 issue proclamation Of amnesty. which
contained. among other statements, the
/ following:
Manila r. L. June a. 1900: BY dlrcc-
| lion of the President OF the United states,
/ the undersigned announces amnesty with
complete immunity for the past. and alb
/ soluie liberty OF action for the future. 10
/ an persons who are now. or at any time
/ since Feb a. 1890. have been In insurrec-
/ ton against the United States IN either q
military~or civil capacity, aud who shall.
within a period OF ninety days from the
date hereof, formally renounce Oh connec-
I ton with such iusurreciion and subscribe
10 a declaration acknowledging and ac-
ceptlng the sovereignty and authority OF
/ the United states IN ana over the Philip
pine Islands. The privilege herewith pub
| ished is extended 30 al concerned with
/ out any reservation whatever. excepting
/ that persons who have violated the laws
Of war during the period Of active hostil-
/ ities are not embraced within the scope
OF this amnesty
I'm order 10 mitigate as much ms pos
/ sible consequences resulting from the va
rious disturbances which since 1895 have
/ succeeded each other 80 rapidly ana %
provide In some measure for destitute FIJI
/ lpino toldiers during the transitory per.ol
which must inevitably succeed a general
peace. the military uihorlties OF the Unit
| I'd States vii pay thirty pesos 10 each
man who presents a rifle In good condi-
/ ton"
/ 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 aud patriotic service.
are now iaboring to establish stable gov
/ eminent under civil control. in which the
Inhabitants shall participate. giving them
opportunity 20 demonstrate how far they
are prepared for self government.
Commission's Report.
This commission. under date OF Aug. q.
/ 1907. makes an interesting report from
which I quote the following extracts:
Hostility against Americans was origi-
ually aroused by absurd falls hoods OF un.
/ scrupuious leaders The distribution OF
/ troops Ia so posts has hy contact
/ largely dispeied hostility. and steadily
/ improved temper Of people. This improve
ment Is fnrthered by abuses OF insurgents
/ Large numbers Of people long for peace
and willing 10 accept government under
the United States. Insurgents not surren-
| derinE after defeat divided into small que
/ rlla bands under general officers or be-
come robt ers. Nearly al OF the prominent
generals and politicians OF the Instruction
/ except Aguinaldo. have since been cap
iuled or have surrendered and taken the
oath Of allegiance. All North
ern Lpzon except two provinces. substan-
| tally free from insurgents. People busy
planting. and asking for municipal or
eaiiization. Railway and telegraph line
from Manila to Dagupan.i22 miles.n mo-
Tested for five months. HaEu-
logs alone active IN leading guerilla war
/ fare. In Negros. Cebu Romb,on. Masbatc
sibuyan, Tablas. Boho and other Philip
pine Islands little disturbance exists ana
/ civil government eagerly awaited.
-Four years Of war and lawlessness In
parts Of islands have created unsettled
| conditions. Native constnbu ar /,
and militia. which should be organized al
D
/ which defsnselcss people are subjected
| The natives desire TO enlist tn these or
/ sanizgtions. II iudiciousiy selected and OF.
fceIee will be- efficient forces for main
/ tenanco OF order. ana will permit earlv
material reduction Of United States
troops. Turning islands over
go coterie OF TagalOg politicians will
/ blight far prospects OF enormous improve
ment. drive out capital. make lIfe and
( nj
secure: Danish by fear OF cruel proscrip-
/ ton considerable body OF conservative
| ftlipinos who have aided Americans In
/ well-founded belief that their people are
/ not now NJ for self-governmcnt. and rein
/ troduce some oppression and corruption
which existed IN an provinces under Ma
lolos insurgent government during the
/ eight months OF lis control The result
viii be fractional strife between Jealous
lenders, chaos and anarchy. and will re-
| quire and justify active Intervention OF
our government or some other
Business Interrupted by war much I'M
proved as peace extends In Ne
gros more sugar In cultivation than ever
| before. New forestry regulations give
/ impetus 20 timber trade and reduce high
| price OF lumber. The customs collections
for last quarter 50 per cent. greater than
ever in Spanish history. and August col
/ iNttloAH SNOW iufinef increase. The to-
| tai revenue for same period one-,hird
greater than in any quarter under Spain.
though cedula tax chief source OF Spanish
| revenue. practically abolished. Economy
/ and efficiency OF military government
have created surplus fund OF 5000 coo.
which should be expended in much needed
public works. notably Improvement OF Ma
| Mia harbor. with proper tariff
and facilities Manila VIII become n great
| port OF the Orient
The commission is confident that by n
| judiclous customs law. reasonable land
tax and proper corporation franchise tax
imposition OF no greater rate than that in
average American states viii give Iess an
noyance and with peace will produce rev
enues sufficient 10 pay expenses OF en-
Client government including militia and
constabulary. They are preparing strin-
gent civil service law. giving equal opnor-
tunity 40 FilipinOs and Americans with
| preference for former where qualifications
are equal TO enter az lowest rank and By
promotion reach the head OF a depart
meut. Forty-fve miles OF railroad
extension under negotiation viii give nc-
cess TO a large province rich In valuable
minerals. a mile high. with stricslv tenn
perate climate. Railroad constriic-
ton will give cmrloymcnt 20 many and
communication will furnish market 10 vast
stretches OF rich agricultural lands"
They Want schools.
They report that there nre calls from,
all PARIS OF the islands for public schools
school supplies and English teachers,