The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-06-08
ARRIVED AT MANILA.
The Philippine Commissioners We'll
coined by Gen. Macarthur.
THE STATEMENT OF JUDGE TAFT.
He Says They Are There TO DO Justice to
Filipinos and to Secure for Them
the Best Government In Their
Power.


the Best Government In Their
Power
Manila, June 4.--The United States
transport Hancock, from San Fran
cisco April II, arrived here yesterday
morning with the members of the
Philippine commission. The members
of Gen. MacArthur's staff welcomed
The commissioners on board the Han
cock. At noon the commissioners
landed and drove to the palace es-
corted by Gen. MacArthur's staff. a
band and two companies of the TWEEN
ty-siXth infantry, with artillery. At
the palace the commissioners were
welcomed by Gen. Macarthur in a
short and forceful address. After
Judge William II. Taft, president of
the commission, had replied the COM
missioners returned to the Hancock,
where they will remain until they
have selected suitable dwellings on
land.
During the morning the members
of the Filipino supreme court, the To-
cal editors and many of the leading
merchants lfIlsllltil W lllf llullNI l0I -
where they conyersed with the COM
missioncrs. Rear Admiral Remy, in
command of the United States naval
forces on the Asiatic station, called
officially during the afternoon. To-
day Gen. Macarthur will return the
call of the commissioners. The family
of Judge Taft will remain for a while
Ia, Sc, ,f IN oil
commissioners arrived with them.
Judge Taft, speaking yesterday in
reply to a representative of the Assoc
ciated press, regarding the powers
and future work of the commission.
said: 1--WE have fun instructions auc
extensive powers. The latter we shall
not exercise until we have had ampl,
time to acquire sufficient knowlcdee
of the situation 10 enable MS to pro-
coed 90 enact legislative changes and
reforms preliminary TO the estah-
lishment of a stable. civil government.
Until we assume authority Gen. Mac
Arthur viii continue to perform the
duties aud exercise tho powers
formerly performed and exercised 10y
Gen. Otis; and. even after we take
active and fun part in the govern
meut, Gen. Macarthur will continue
as the executive head until. on ous
recommendation to President McKin-
ley. il shall seem to the president
that the time has arrived for the APP
pointment of a civil executive and for
making the military forces merely
auxiliary in carrying on the civil gov
eminent. to he available only in eases
of emergency for the suppression of
lawlcss violence too formidable to L.
overcome 10y the regularly organized
local police.
eve are aware that there are sew
eral issues Of deep interest TO the FIJI
ipinos upon which it is our duty "a
take action. Some of these involve
judicial investigation and decisions
upon legal rights. Others call for the
careful exercise of political power iu
order to secure equitable adjustments
Upon the latter class of issues we
cannot now speak.
Representing the sovereignty OF
the United States i'm the Philippines
which IT. rs the purpose OF our gov
| eminent TO maintain, we are here "a
do Justice to the Filipino and TO So
cure for them the best government
in our power and such measure OF
popular control as is consistent with
the stability and security Of law, or
der and property We are civil Off
GERS, men of peace. The field of ouI
work is necessarily confined TO re-
gions where the armed enemy has
ceased his operations. We cannot deal
with armed men. Gen. Macarthur
and the army will do that.
"When those. now in arms shall
have laid them down, relying, as they
certainly can, upon the justice, gen
crosby and clemcncy of the United
States, we shall give them all a full
hearing upon the policy to be pursued
and the reforms to be initiated. We
purpose to inaugurate as comprehen.
sive a school system throughout the
islands as circumstances will allow