Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1900-09-25


tories hereby ceded to the United States
shall be determined by the Congress"
Eleven days thereafter, on Dec. p, the fol-
Iowing direction was given to the command
e. Of our forces In the Philippines:
'rThe military commander of the United
States Is enjoined to make known to the in
kabftants Of the Philippine Islands that. In
succeeding to the sovereignty Of Spain. In
severiug the former political relations of the
Inhabitants and in establishing new poltt-
seal power. the authority of the United
States is to be exerted for the securing OF
the persons and property of the people OF
the islands and for the confirmation OF all
their private rights and relations. 1t VIII
be the duty of the commander Of the forces
Of occupation to announce and proclaim In
the most public manner that we come not
as invaders or conquerors, but as friends, to
protect the natives In their homes. In their
employments and In their personal and re-
Egious rights"
Sent Com m ission.
In order to facilitate the most humane,
pacific and effective extension OF authority
throughout these Islands, and to secure, with
the least possible delay, the benefits OF
wise and generous protection Of life ana
property to the Inhabitants. ! appointed In
January, 1899, a commission consisting OF
Jacob Gould Schurman of New York, Ad-
mirai George dewey, U. s. N; Charles
Derby Of Indiana, Professor Dean c. Wor-
eester of Michigan. and Major General Ell
well q. Otis, U. S. A. Their Instructions
contained the following:
ssIn the performance of this duty the COM
naissioners are enjoined to meet at the
s.rliest possible day in the city OF Manila
and to announce by public proclamation
their presence and the mission intrusted 70
them, carefully setting forth that. while the
military government already proclaimed IS
to be maintained and continued SO long as
necessity may require, efforts VIII be made
to alleviate the burden of taxation, to estaD-
fsh Industrial and commercial prosperity,
and to provide for the safety Of persons ana
Of property by such means as may be found
conducive to these ends.
Given Careful Instructions.
The commissioners will endeavor, with
cut Interference with the military authorl-
ties Of the United States now In controi OF
the Philippines, to ascertain what ameiiora-
tion In the condition Of the inhabitants and
what improvements in public order may De
practicable, and for this purpose they Will
study attentiveIy the existing social and po'
uticaa state of the various populations par
ticulariy as regards the forms of local gov
erpment, the administration OF justice. the
collection Of customs and other taxes the
means of transportation, and the need OF
public improvements. They Will report
the results of their observations ana
reflections, and will recommend such execu-
<iye action as may from time to time seem
to them wise and useful.
"The commissioners are hereby authorized
to confer authoritatively with any persons
resident In the islands from whom they may
believe themselves able to derive informa-
tion or suggestions valuable for the pur-
poses OF their commission, whom they
may choose to employ as agents. as may be
necessary for this purpose.
Avoided Harsh Measures.
at Is my desire that in all their relations
with the inha abitants of the Islands the COM
nissioners exercise due respect for all the
ideais, customs and institutions of the tribes
which compose the population, emphasizing
upon all occasions the just and benefcent in
tentaons of the government Of the Uuited
States.
"It Ia also my wish and expectation that
The commissioners may be received In a
manner due to the honored and authorized
duly commissioned account of their
knowledge, skill and integrity as bearers of
the good will. the protection and the richest
blessings of n liberating rather than con-
Quer3ag nation"
On the 9th of February. 1899, the treaty
was ratified by the Senate OF the United
States, and the Congress Immediately ap-
propriated $50, ,oOo. 900 to carry out its pro-
visions. The ratifcations were exchanged
BY the United States and Spain on the 11th
Of April, 1899.
As early as April. 1S09 the Philippine
commission, Of which DR.. Schurman was
president. endeavored to bring about peace
In the Islands by repeated conferences with
leading Taga,ogs representing the so-called
insurgent government, to the end that some
general plan of government might be offered
them which they would accept.
Pleased the Natives.
30 great was the satisfaction of the insur-
eent commissioners with the form of gov
ernment. proposed by the American COM
missioners that the latter submitted the
proposed scheme to me for approval. and my
action thereon is shown by the cable mes
sage following:
May 8. 1899 Schurman, Manila: Yours
that, under the military power of the Presi-
dent, pending action of Congress, govern
ment Of the Philippine Islands shall consist
of a governor general appointed by the
President, cabinet appointed by the govern
or general. a general advisory council elect
ed by the people. the qualifications of elect
ors to be carefully considered and deter
mined. and the governor general to have abb
soiate veto. Judiciary strong and Inde-
pendent. principal judges appointed by the
President. The cabinet and judges to be
chosen from natives Or Americans. or both,
having regard to fitness.
''The President earnestly desires the cessa-
tion Of bloodshed and that the people of the
Philippine Islands at an early date shall
have the largest measure Of local self-gov-
ernment consistent with peace and good
erder.
SiRns of Trcachery.
In the latter part OF May another group
Of representatives came from the insurgent
leader The whole matter yyaS fully dis