The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-12-04

"In dealing with the uncvilized tribes
 of the islands the Commission should
 adopt the same course followed by Con
 gress in permitting the tribes of our
 North American Indians to maintain
 their tribal organization and government,
 and under which many of those tribes
 are now living in peace and contentment. surrounded by & civilization to which
 they are unable or unwilling to conform.
 Such tribal governments should, howev-
 CT, be subjected to wise and firm regula- tion, and without undue or petty inter- ference, constant and active effort should be exercised to prevent barbarous prac- | tices and introduce civilized customs.
 Upon all officers and employees of tho l United States, both civil and military,
 should be impressed sense of the duty | to observe not merely the material but
 the 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 l United States are accustomed to require
 from each other,
 'The articles of equalization of the city of Manila on the 18th of August, 1 1898, concluded with these words:
 "This city, It's inhabitants, it's church-
 es and religious worship, it's educational
 establishments and its private property | of all descriptions, are placed under the special safeguard of the faith and honor
 of the American Army
 T believe that this pledge has been
 faithfully kept. As high and sacred an
 obligation rests upon the Government of the United States to give protection for
 property and life, civil and religious free
 dom, and wise, firm, and unselfish guid-
 ance in the paths of peace and prosperity
 to all the people of the Philippine Is-
 lands. I charge this Commission to la
 bor for the full performance of this obli-
 gation, which concerns the honor and
 conscience of their country, in the firm hope that through their labors all the in habitants of the Philippine Islands may come to look 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 people of the United States"
 Coincidently with the entrance of the Commission upon it's labors I caused to be issued by General Macarthur, the Military Governor of the Philippines, on June 21, 1900 proclamation of amnesty in generous terms, of which many of the insurgents took advantage, among them a number 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 ju- dicial careers, made great progress from the outset. As early as August 2l, 1900, it submitted preliminary report, which will be laid before the Congress, and iron, which it appears that already the good effects of returning order are felt; that business interrupted by hostilities, is inn proving as peace extends; that q larger area is under sugar cultivation than ever before; that the customs revenues are greater than at any time during the Spanish rule; that economy and efficiency in the military administration have ere ated a surplus fund of S6,000,00O, avail able for needed public improvements; that q stringent civil-seryice law is In nss preparations; that railroad communica. tions are expanding, opening up rich dis tricts, and that comprehensive scheme of education is being organized.
 Later reports from the Commission show yet more encouraging advance to- ward insuring the benefits of liberty and good government to the Filipinos, in the interest of humanity and with the aim of building up an enduring, self-supporting, and self-administering community in 7 those far eastern seas. I would impress upon the Congress that whatever legisla- ton may be enacted in respect to the Philippine Islands should be along thesa 6 lines. The fortune of war has thrown upon this nation an unsought trust which should be unselishly dis ,harged, and devolved upon this Govern nent moral as well as material respon- sibiity toward these millions whom we nave freed from an oppressive yoke
 1 have on another occasion called the Filipinos 'the wards of the nation." Our obligation as guardian was not lightly it must not be otherwise than fulfilled, aiming first of all to benefit those who have come under our 'ostering care. It is our duty so to treat hem that our flag may be no less beloved n the mountains of Luzon and the fertile Iones of Mindanao and Negros than it is 1t home, that thare as here it shall be the evered sypNN of liberty, enlightenment, md progress n every avenue of develop nent.
 The Eilipinos are race quick to learn nd to profit by knowledge. He would be ash who with the teachings of contem- history in view, would fix init to the degree of culture and ad- ancement yet within the reach of these eople if our duty toward them be faith ully performed.
 The civil government of Porto Rico rovided for by the act of the Congress pproved April 12, 1900, is in successful peration. The courts have been estab- shed The Governor and his associates, rorking intelligently and harmoniously, re meeting with commendable success. On the 9th of November general elec- on was held in the island for members the Legislature, and the body elected as been called to convene on the first Ionday of December.
 I recommend that legislation be enact- l by the Congress conferring upon the ecretary of the Interior supervision over le public lands in Porto Rico, and that e be directed to ascertain the location nd quantity of lands the title to which .mained in the Crown of Spain at the ate of cession of Porto Rico to the Unit l States, and that appropriations neces- lry for surveys be made and that the ethods of the disnnsition of such lands