The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-10
Peace Treaty Concluded.

The treaty Of peace was concluded on Dec
10, 1898. BY Its terms the archipelago, known
the Philippine Islands, ceded by Spain
to the United States. 1t was also provided
that ''the civil rights and political status OF
the native inhsbtant. of the territories hereby
ceded to the United States shall be determined
by the congress" Eleven days thereafter, on
Dec 2l, the following direction was given to
the commander of our forces in the Philip.
pines:
" The military commander Of the
United States is enjoined to make known TO the
inhabitants of the Philippine Islands that in
succeeding to the sovereignty OF Spain, in sew.
cring the former political relations of the in
habitants and in establishing a new political
power, the authority of the United States is to
be exerted for the securing the persons and
property OF the people of the islands and for
the confirmation Of all their private rights and
relations. 1t will be the duty Of the comman.
der OF the forces Of occupation TO announce and
proclaim in the most public manner that we
come not as invaders Conquerors, but as
friends, to protect the natives in their homes,
in their employments and in their personal and
religious rights"
In order to facilitate the most humane, pa.
cihc 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 and property to
the Inhabitants, | appointed in January, 1899,
Schurman, of New York; Admiral George
Dewey, L. S. NJ; Hon. Charles DENLY. Of In.
diana; Prot Dean G. Worcester, Of Michigan,
and Major General Elwell S. Otis, U. S. A.
Their instructions contained the following:
"In the performance OF this duty the com.
missioneTS are enjoined TO meet at the earliest
possible day in the city OF Manila and to an
nounce by public proclamation their presence
and the mission intrusted 10 them, carefully
setting forth that while the military govern.
ment already proclaimed is to be maintained
and continued so long as necessity may require,
efforts will be made to alleviate the burden
OF taxation, to establish industrial and com.
mercial prosperity, and to provide for the
safety OF persons and OF property by such means
as may be found conducive TO these ends.
The commissioners will endeayor, without in.
! terference with the military authorities Of the
United States now In control OF the Philippines
10 ascertain what amelioraton In the condition
| of the inhabitants and what improvements In
public order may be practicable, and for this
purpose they will study attcntvely the existing
| social and political state Of the various popu-
lations, particularly as regards the forms OF local
government, and other taxes, the means of trans
portaton, and the need OF public improvements
They will report the results OF their observations
and reflections, and will recommend such eX.
ecutiye action as may from time to time seem 10
| them wise and useful.
1.-The commissioners are hereby authorized to
| confer authortatiyely with any persons resident
in the islands from whom they may believe
themselves able to derive information or sug.
gestions valuable for the purposes OF their COM
mission, or whom they may choose TO employ
as agents, as may he necessary for this purpose.
| 1t is my desire that in all their relations
with the Inhabitants Of the islands the commits
sioners exercise due respect for all the ideals,
customs and institutions OF the tribes which
compose the population, emphasizing upon all
| occasions the lust and benehcent intentions Of
| the government Of the United States. II Is also
my wish and expectation that the commissioners
may be received in q manner due to the hon
ored and authorized representatives Of the Amer
lean republic, duly commissioned on account Of
] their knowledge, skill, and integrity as bearers