The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1900-09-28


Had to Remain.
1T is not to be conceived OF that any
American would have sanctioned the sur
render Of Manila to the Insurgents Our OBJ
legations TO other nations and 10 the friendly
Filiplnos and TO ourselves and our flag de-
manded that force should be met with force.
Whatever the future of the Philippines may
he, there is no course open to us now except
the prosecution OF the war until the lnsur-
gents are reduced to submission.
THE commission Is OF the opinion that
there has been no time since the destruction
of the Spanish squadron by Admiral Dewey
when 1t was possible to withdraw our forces
from the Islands either with honor to our
selves or with safety to the inhabitants"
After the most thorough study Of the peo-
pies of the archipelago the commission re.
ported, among other things
Their lack Of education and political ex-
perience, combined with their racial and
linguistic diverslties. dsquallfy them, in
spite Of their mental gifts and domestic vir.
tues, to undertake the task Of governing the
archipelago at the present time The most
that can be expected of them is TO cooper
ate with the Americans In the adminlstra.
tion of general affairs. from Manila as a
center, and to undertake, subject to Amer
lean control or guidance las may he found
necessary the administration Of provincial
ANA municipal affairs.
Would Invite Anarchy.
should our power by any fatality be
withdrawn, the commission believes that the
government of the Philippines would speed
lily lapse into anarchy, which would excuse,
IL II did not necessltate, the Intervention Of
other powers and the eventual division OF
the Islands among them Only through
American occupation, therefore. Is the Idea
Of free, selfgoverning and united Philip
pine commonwealth at all conceivable.
Thus the welfare Of the Filplnos coin
cides with the dictates Of national honor in
forbiGding our abandonment OF the archi-
peago We cannot from any point OF view
escape the responsibilities Of government
which our sovereignty entails. and the ccm-
mission Is strongly persuaded that the per
formance of our national duty will prove
the greatest blessing to the people Of the
Philippine Islands"
Satisfied that nothing further could he ac-
complished in pursuance of their mission
until the rebellion was suppressed and de
H'''hS w pidNt ptlbit Aut NbhSitHS AhC iN
suit OF their observations, requested the
commission 10 return To the United States.
Their most intelligent and comprehensive
report, was submitted to Congress.
Duties Of the Com mission.
In March, 1900, believing that the insur.
rectiou was practically ended and earnestly
desiring 20 promote the establishment OF n
stable government In the archipelago, | ap-
pointed the following civil commission
William II. Taft Of Ohio, Professor Dean C.
Worcester OF Michigan, Luke /. Wright Of
Tennessee. Henry G. Ide of Vermont. and
Bernard Moses OF California. Ny instruc
| lions to them contained the following:
You (the Secretary of War; will instruc,
the commission TO devote their at
tcntlon IN the first instance to the establish
nent of municipal governments, in which
The natives of the islands. both in the clties
md in the rural communities, shall be af
corded the opportunity to manage their own
ocal affairs 10 the fullest extent Of which
hey are capable aud subject to the least de
gree Of supervision and control which care
/ rul study OF their capacities and observation
IF the workings of native control show to be
consistent with the maintenance Of law, or.
der ana loyalty.
Awaits the Report.
"WhenoN er the commission is Of the Opin-
ion that the condition Of affairs in the isl
Iuds is such that the central administration
may safely bc transferred from military to
civil control they will report that conclu.
sion 10 you (the Secretary OF War, with
their personal recommendations as to the
form of central government To he estab-
Shed for the purpose OF taking over the
control.
beginning with the LIST day Of Septem.
her, loo, the authority 10 exercise, subject
10 my approval through the Secretary II
War. that part of the power Of government
in the Philippine Islands which is OF a leg
iSlative nlture ~ to be transferred from The
nj .itary governor of the Islands 10 ibis com
mission, 10 be thereafter exercised by Them
! IN the place and stead OF the military gov
ernor under such rules and regulations As
! YOU lthe Secretary of War; shall prescribe.
until the establishment Of the civil central
government for the Islands contemplated Ia
! he last foregoing paragraph or until Goa.
sress shall otherwise provide.
Legislative Author ty.
"Exerclcc of this legislative authority will
| include the making OF rules and orders hav-
| ing the effect of law for the raising OF reve.
| nue. Ivy taxes, customs duties and impusts;
| the appropriation and expenditure Of the
| public funds OF the islands; the establish
4
the islands; the establishment of system
| 10 secure an efficient civil service; the or
| ganiZation and establishment OF courts; the
| organization and establishment OF municipal
AMI departmental governments. and all
other matters OF civil nature OF which the
military governor is now competent 10 pro-
| vide by rules or orders OF legislative char.
| actcr. The commission will also have
| power during the same period to appoint 10
! office such officers under the judicial. edu-
! ratlonal and civil service systems and In the
! municipal and departmental governments as
shall be provided"
kuies for the Interim.
Until Congress shall take action directed
| that:
Upon every division and branch Of the
] government Of the Philippines must be i'm
/ posed these inviOlable rules: That no per
! sou shall be deprived Of life. liberty or prop
crty without due process Of law: that pr
! vatc property shall not he taken for public
use without just compensation; that In al
| criminal prosecutions the accused shalt on
! Joy the right 10 q speedy and public rial, "a
! he informed OF the nature and cause Of tho
4 accusation. 10 be confronted with the wit
ncsscs against him, 10 have compulsory
process for obtaining witnesses I'm his favor
I aud TO have the assistance of counsel for VI.
/ defense: that excessive bail shall not he re-
quired. nor excessive fines imposed. nor crue
| aud unusual punishment inflicted. that No
l