Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-04

hlcatlon HAY nc eStaplSneu. anu IL is
obviously desirable that this Medium
should be the English language. Espe-
cial attention should be ut once given ia
affordiny full opportunity to all the peo-
pie of the islands 10 acquire the use Of
the English language.
1t may he we'll that the main changes
which shoull be made in the system of
taxation and in the body Of the laws nm
der which the people are governed. OK
cept such changes as have already bcrp
made by the military government, sboull
he RELOCATED to the civil government
which is to Toe established under the
auspices of the Commission Ii will.
however. be the duty of the Commission
10 inquire diligently as to whether there.
are any further changes which ought nor
u he delayed. and if So they are author
lied 10 make such changes. subject +.
your approval In doing 50 they are IT,
bear in mind that taxes which tend %
penalizr or rcpIcss industry ana enter
prise arr. Ia hc avoided: that provisions
for taxation should be- simple. so that
they MAY be- understood by the peopIe.
that they should affect the fcwest practi-
cable subjects of taxation which will
serve for the general distribution of thu.
burden.
The main body of the laws which reg
ulaic the rights and obligations OF the
people should lie maintained with as lit
tie interference NJ possible. Changes
made should be- mainly in procedure. and
in the criminal laws to secure speedy and
impartial trials. and at the same time
effective administration and respect for
individual rights
In dealing with the uncivilizrd tribes
Of the islands the Commission should
adopt the same course followed by Con
gre>S in permitting The tribes of our
North American Indians 10 maintain
their tribal organization and government
and un'ier which many of those tli1cs
are now living in peace and contpntmcn!.
surrounded 10y Il civilization [" which
they are unable or unwilling to conform
Such tribal governments should. hoWcV-
cr. he subjected to wise and firm rrgula
tlou. and. without undue or petty inter
ference. constant and active effort ShoulI
be- exercised to prevent bariur"uS pr;lc-
ticc> and Introduce civilized customs
Il pom all officers and employees of the
United States. both civil and military.
should be impressed sense Of the duty
1" observe not merely the material but
Nh" personal and social rights OF the peo-
pie of the islands. and to treat them with
the same courtesy and respect for their
personal dignity which the people of the
| nitcd States are accustomed II require
from each other.
The articles IF equalization of the
city of Manila on the 18th Of August.
1S!iN. concluded with these words:
This city, its inhabitants. lis church
rs and religious worship. its educational
establishments. and it, private property
If al 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. A. high and sacred an
obligation rests upon the Government of
til" United States to give protection for
property and life. civil and religious free
dom, and wise. firm. and unSclfi~h guia-
ancc in the paths of peace and prosperity
IN all Til" people OF the Philippine Is
lands. | charge this Commission Ia Ia
Dor Tor th" full performance of this obi
CATION. which concerns the honor anil
conscience of their country. in the firm
hope that through their labur> all the IN
habitautS Of the Philippine Islands may
come ia look back with gratitude Ia III"
,iay when God gave victory To American
arms III Manila and set their land nnder
the sovereignty and the protection "f the
people of thu United States.
toncideutly with the entrance of the
Commission upon its laborS | caused {"
Le issued hy General NacArthur. the
Military Governor of the Philippines. on
June Il. 1900. Il proclamation Of amnesty
in generous terms. of which many of the
insurgents Took advantage. among them
IA number Of important leaders.
This commission composed of eminent
citizens representing the diverse geo
graphical and political interests Of the
country. AMI bringing to their task tn"
ripe fruits OF long and iutclli-cu, service
in educational. administrative. and jill
licial careers. made great progress from
the outset. ~ early as August II. 1900
it submitted i preliminary report. which
will he laid before the Congress. and from
which il appears that already the good
effects of returning order are felt: that
cuisines, interrupted hy hoStilti">. j. i'm
proving ~ peace extends: that Il larger
area * under sugar cultivation than ever
before: that the customs revenues arr
greater than 1T any time during the
Spanish rule: that economy and efficiency
III tho military administrator have ere
atcil y surplus fund Of SiNO.WD, avail
abb. for needed public improvement .;
that u stringent civi-Scrvicc law is in
preparation: that railroad commnnica-
tious ar,. expanding. opening up rich dis
tric,S and that Il comprehensive srhcm"
of education is being organized
7 frnr 1,, 4 mi sI,,n
show Yet more. cncoura. ia. advance to-
ward n>nrin. the benefits Of liberty and
good government to the FiiipnoS. in the
interest Of humanity and with the aim Of
huillin. up an enduring, Sclf-suppoiting.
and scli-a1ministcrin. community IN
those far eastern seas. | would Impress
upon the Congress that whatever le-iSln
tiun may he enacted in respect to the
Philippine. Islands should be along these
generous lines. The fortune OF war has
thrown np0n this nation IA nnsouyht
trust which should be unstll>hly dis
charged and ,lrvolvcd upon this Govern
mcnt Il moral AZ well az material rcspon-
Sibility toward thes" millions whom W.
have freed from an oppressive yoke.
hav" on another occasion called the
F'iipinos the wards of the nation. Our
obligation aS guardian was not lightly