The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-03

Of Manila on the 18th Of august, 1898, con
cluded with these words:
This city, Its inhabitants, its churches
ana religious worship. its educational
establishments, and it's private property
Of all descriptions, are placed under the
special safeguard of the faith and honor
OF the American Army
believe that this pledge has been faith
fully kept. AS high and sacred an obliga-
lion rests upon the Government of the
United States to give protection for
property and life, civil and religious free
Gem, and wise, firm. and unselfish guild
ance IN the paths of peace and prosper
ity 10 all the people of the Philippine Isl
ands. L charge this commission to labor
for the full performance Of this obliga-
ton, which concerns the honor and con
science OF their country, in the firm hope
that through their labors all the inhabi-
tants OF the Philippine Islands may come
to lcok back with gratitude to the day
when God gave victory to American arms
at Manila and set their land under the
sovereignty and the protection of the peo-
pie OF the United States-''
Proclamation OF Amnesty.
CoineidentIy with the entrence OF the
commission upon its Iabors caused to be
issued By General Macarthur, the military
governor of the Philippines, on June q.
1900, a proclamation of amnesty In gener-
Gus terms, OF which many of the insur-
gents took advantage among them a num-
Der OF important leaders.
This commission, composed Of eminent
citizens representing the diverse geo
graphical and political interests Of the
country, and bringing to their task the
ripe fruits of long and intelligent service
in educational administrative, and judi
cial careers, made great progress from
the outset. AS early as August Il, $780, it
submitted preliminary report, which will
be laid before the Congress, and from
which it appears that already the good eff
fects Of returning order are felt; that
business, interrupted by hostiIities, is i'm
proving as peace extends; Jnat a larger
area is under sugar cultivation than ever
before; that the customs revenues are
greater than at any time during the Span
ish rule; that economy and efficiency in
the military administration have created
a surplus fund Of Sc 600 goo, available for
needed public improvements; that a strin-
gent civil service law is in pTeparati !;
thai railroad communica tions are expand
ing, opening up rich districts, and that
a comprehensive scheme Of education is
being organized.
1St6T reports from ne commission snow
yet more encouraging advance toward
ensuring the benefits of liberty and good
government 10 the Filipinos, in the in
terest Of humanity and with the aim Of
building up an enduring, seIf-supporting.
and self-administering community in those
FAR eastern seas I would impress upon
the Congress that whatever legislation
may be enacted in respect to the Philip
pine Islands should be along these gen
erOus lines The fortune Of war has thrown
upon this nation an unsoUght trust which
should be unselfshly discharged, and de-
yolFed upon this Government q moral as
well as material responsibility toward these
millions whom We have freed from an
oppressive yoke
I have on another occasion called the
F'llipInOs the wards of the nation" Our
obligation as guardian was not lightly
assumed; it must not be otherwise than
honestly fulfilled, aiming first Of all to
benefit those who have come under our
fostering care Il is our duty so TO treat
them that our flag may be no less be-
loved in the mountains Of Luzon and the
fertile zones Of Mindanao and Negroes than
It is at home, that there as here il shall
be the revered symbol Of liberty. enligflt-
enmeut, and progress IN every avenue OF
Development.
The Ff,ipinos are q race quick to learn
and TO profit by knowledge He would be
rash who, with the teachings of contem-
poraneous history in view, would tx a
limit TO the degree OF culture and advance
ment yet within the reach Of these people
II our duty toward them be faithfully
performed.