The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-12-06
THE PHILIPPINES.
Outlines Work of the Commission and
Recommends Legislation.

In my last annual message 1 dwelt at
some length upon the condition of af-
fairs in the Philippines. While seeking
to impress upon you that the grave re-
sponsibility of the future government of
those islands rests with the congress of
the United States, l abstained from rec
ommending at that time a specific and
nnal form of government for the terri
tory actually held by the United States
forces and in which, as long as insur
rection continues, the military arm must
necessarily be supreme. | stated my pur-
pose, until the congress shall have made
known the formal expression of its will,
TO use the authority vested in me by the
constitution and the statutes to uphold
the sovereignty of the United States in
those distant islands as in all other places
where our flag rightfully floats, placing,
TO mat end, at the disposal of the army
and navy all the means which the lib
erahty OF the congress and the people
have provided No contrary expression
OF the will of the congress having been
made, have steadfastly pursued the pur-
pose so declared, employing the civil arm
as well toward the accomplishment of
paclncation and the institution of local
governments within the lines of author
ity and law.
We Are Making Progress.
Progress in the hoped-for direction has
been favorable. Our forces have sue
ffsss s controlled the greater part of
forces OF the insurgents and carrying
order and administrative regularity to all
quarters; What opposition remains is for
the most part scattered, obeying no con-
certed plan of strategic action, opera ting
only by the methods common to the ira
ditions OF guerrilla warfare, which, while
lnenectiYe to alter the general control
now established, are still sufficient to
beget insecurity among the populations
that have felt the good results sof our
upon them of the fullest measures of
local self-goYernment. OF education and
or Industrial and agricultural develop
rNra
them.
By the spring of this year the effective
opposition of the dissatisfied Tagals to
the authority of the United States was
virtually ended, thus opening the door
Tor the extension of a stable admins
tration over much of the territory of
about. 1 appointed in March last a civil
SIggIn m composed of Hon. William
n Taft, Of Ohio; Prof. Dean C. Worcester,
OF Mlcnigan; Hon. Luke E, Wright, Of Ten
nessee; Hon. Henry G. Ide, of Vermont,
and Prof. Bernard Moses, of California
The aims of their mission and the scope
81 their authority are clearly set forth
dressed to- the secretary of war to be
transmitted to them.
In the message transmitted to the con-
sress on the 9TH OF December, 1899, said
speaking Of the Philippine islands;
a, AS long as the Instruction continues
Ihe military arm must necessarily be SUI
pfeme, but there Is no reason why stems
should not be taken from time to time To
inaugurate governments essentially popu-
lar In their form as fast as territory IS held
and controlled by our troops To this enc
afa considering the advisability Of the re-
turn OF the commission. or such Of The
members thereof as can be secured to aid
the existing authorities and facilitate this
work throughout the Islands"
The Philippine Commission.
To give effect to the intention thus ex-
pressed, have appointed Hon. William III.
Iaft, OF Ohio; Prof Dean G. Worcester. OF
Michigani Hon. Luke r. Wright, Of Ten
nessee; Hon. Henry G. Ide, OF Vermont.
and Prof Bernard Moses, OF California;
commissioners 10 the Philippine Islands to
continue and perfect the work OF orgauiz-
Ing and establishing civil government al
ready commenced by the military author
tiles, subject In all respects TO any laws
which congress may hereafter enact.
The commissioners FAMED will meet and
act as q board, and Hon. William H. Taft
10 designated as president OF the board IL
Is probable that the transfer OF authority
from military commanders to civil officers
viii be gradual and Will occupy ccngider-
able period. Its successful accomplishment
and the maintenance OF peace and order In
the meantime VIII require the most perfect
cooperation between the ciyn and military
authorities IN the island, and both should
be directed during the transition period