The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-06
The Administrators Philippine Pol
icy ms Outlined I'm Documents
and Correspondence.
INSTRUCTIONS TO SCHURMAN
REGARDING THE WORK TO BE DONE
BY HIS COMMISSION.
Gen. Otis's Proclamation, of Which
Much Has Been Said, Never Dis
approved by Mckinley.


sent to the Senate to-day the correspond
ence called for by resolution of Senator
Hoar asking for Information relative to
our course in the Philippines. 1t is a very
voluminous record. containing much that
has already been made public, and includes
instructions by the President. proclama-
tons by the Philippine Commission and
General Otis, reports of officers in the
Philippines, all communications received
from Aguinaldo or his assistants or proc
lamations issued by them; information
concerning the treatment of prisoners or
other inhabitants of the island by the in
surgents and also such information as has
been received, ''as to aid or encourage
n.ent received by Aguinaldo and his fol-
lowers from persons in the United States,
to what pamphlets. speeches or other doc
uments emanating in the United States
and adverse to it's authority were circu-
lated in whole in part among the Fill
pinos in arms against the United States,
among other inhabitants of the island, or
among the soldiers of the United States
Referring to General Otiss proclama-
ton the President says: mo disapproval
of the said proclamation was expressed
by my authority or of the War Department.
1t was, in fact, approved by me although
no formal communication to that effect
was sent to General OTIS
Included in the correspondence Of last
October between General Macarthur and
Aguinaldo's representative. General Am
brosio Flores in regard to the delivery of
sick Spanish prisoners, is protest against
what he terms the "suspiciousness' of the
he
awarded necessarily corresponds with our
political condition" adding that 'in the
name of a solderly honor 1 protest against
such suspicion, as We have never resorted
to indirect means in order to wrest by
tifice the recognition of our beloved in
dependence"
In this connection a cablegram from Gen.
eral Goblin is given, dated Nov. 10, in
0orsing General Otis's course in the mat
ter of the Spanish prisoners. He says: THE
letters of the insurgents imply a threat.
Unless you strong reasons to the con-
trary notify Aguinaldo that he and his
advisers will be held personally RESPONSE
bic for any injury done to Spanish
American persons in violation of the laws
and usages of war among civilized ma
tions."
The instructions to General Merritt are
Otis, which the report says were given in
cipher. The instructions from the Presi-
dent to General Merritt, May Is, 1885, direct
the issuance of proclamation saying that
I'VE come not to make war upon the peo-
pie of the Philippines nor upon any party
or faction among them, but to protect
them In their homes, in their employments
and in their personal and religious rights.
All persons who either by active aid or
by honest admission cooperate with the
United States in its efforts to give effect
to this beneficient purpose will receive the
reward of its support and protection. Our
occupation should be as free from severity
as possible
The Presidents instructions to the Phil
ippine commission of Jan. 20. 1899, are given
in full. The President wrote: 1.-THE COM
mission may render valuable services by
examining with special care the legisla-
tive needs of the various groups of inhabi-
tantS and by reporting with recommends
lions the measures which should be insti-
suited for the maintenance of order, peace
and public welfare. 1t is my desire that in
all their relations with the inhabitants of
the Philippine islands, the commissioners
exercise due respect for the ideals, customs
and institutions of the tribes and races
which compose the population, emphasizing
upon all occasions, the just and beneficent
intentions of the government of the United
States. 1t is also my wish and expecta-
ton that the commissioners may be re-
ceived in a manner due to the honored and
authorized representatives of the American
Republic duly commissioned on account of
their knowledge, skill and integrity as bear
ears of the good will, the protection and
the richest blessings of liberating rather
than a conquesting nation
The record shows that on the 4th OF May,
1892 President Schurman of the commits
sion notified Secretary Hay of cessation
of hostilities in order to get vote from
the insurgent congress In favor of autono-
my, to which Secretary Hay replied as fol-
lows: You are authorized to propose that
under the military power of the President.
pending the action of Congress, the gov
eminent of the Philippines shall consist of
Governor General, appointed by the
President, a cabinet appointed by the
ell elected by the people, the qualifica-
tions of electors to be carefully considered
and determined and the Governor General
to have an absolute veto"