The Washington weekly post., 1900-09-11

20 issue a proclamation of amnesty. which
contained. among other statements. the
Manila. p. l.. June a. ise
by direction OF the President of the
Tnissd States. the undersigned announces
amnesty. with complete immunity for the
past and absolute liberty Of action for
the future 20 al persons whe are now or
at any time since February 4, i&s have
been In fnsurrection against the United
States In either a military or a civil
capacity, and who shall. within a period
Of ninety days from the date hereof. for
maiiy reHounce ali connection with such
insurrection and subscribe TO a declaration
acknowledging and accepting the SOW
ereignty and authority OF the United
States In and over the Philippine Is
lands The privilege herewith publish
ed is extended to all concerned without
any reservation whatever. excepting that
persons who have violated the laws OF
war during the period of active hostilities
are not embraced within the scope OF this
amnesty
In order to mitigate as much as possi-
bic consequences resulting from the yari-
Gus disturbances which since 1896 have
succeeded each other so rapidly and 10
provide in some measure for destitute
Filipino soldiers during the transitory Pc
riod which must inevitably succeed a
general peace, the military authorities of
the United States VIII pay 30 pesos To
each man who presents a rifle In good con-
dition.'
Under their instructions the commits
sion. composed of representative An,eri-
cans OF different sections OF the country
and from different political parties, whose
character and ability guarantee the most
faithful, intelligent. and patriotic service.
are now laboring TO establish stable gov
eTnment under civil control, in which the
II habitants shall participate. giving them
opportunity TO demonstrate how far they
are prepared for seif-government.
This commission, under date OF August
Il. 1900, makes an interesting report. from
which I quote the following extracts:
Hostility against Americans originally
aroused by absurd falsehoods of unscrup-
ulous leaders The distribution of troops
III three hundred posts has by contact
largely dispe:led hostility. and steadily i'm
proved the temper of the people This i'm
provement is surthered by abuses of in
sdrgents. Large numbers of people long
for peace, and willing TO accept govern
ment under TIE United States Insurgents
not surrenderii.9 after defeat divided into
small guerrilla hands under general Off
GERS or become robbers. Nearly all of Inc
prominent generals and ponticians of the
insurreetion, eyeep, Asuinaldo have since
been captured or have surrendered and
taken the oath of allegiance, All
Northern LuZon, except two provinces.
rf.atra toll
pie busy planting and asking for mu-
nieipal organization, Railway and tele-
graph line from Manila to Dasupan, l22
miles. not lnolested for five months.
Tagalogs alone active in leading
guerrilla warfare. Iii Negros. Cebu, Rom
blon, Masbate, Sibuyan. Tablas, Bohol,
ard other Philippine islands little disturb
aEce exists, and civil government eagerly
awaited. Four years of war and
lawlessness In parts of islands have ere
a,ed unsettled conditions. . Native
constabulary and militia, which should be
organized at orce, will end this and the
terrorism TO which defenseless people are
subjected. The natives desire to enlist in
these ORGANIZATIONS If judiciousiy select
ed and Offered, will be efficient forces
for maintenance of order and will permit
early material reduction of United States
troops. Turning Islands over 10
Coterie Of Tagalog politicians will blight
fair prospects of enormous Improvement: !:
drive cut capital. make life and property
secular. and religion most insecure: ban
ish by fear CT cruel prescription consid-
erabse BODY of conservative Filipinos.
who have aided Americans In well-found-
ed belief that their people are not now fit
for self-government, and reiHtroduce
same oppression and corruption which ex-
listed In all provinces under MalOlos in
surgent government during the eight
months of its control The result will De
factloral strife between jealous leaders
chaos and anarchy and will require and
Justify active Intervention of our govern
ment or some other. Business in
terrupted by war much improved as peace
extends. In Negros more sugar in
cultivation than ever before. New fores-
try regulations give impetus to timber
trade and reduce high price of lumber
The customs collections for last quarter
80 per cent. greater than ever In Spanish
history, and August collections show fur
ther increase. The total revenue for same
period one-third greater than IN any quar-
ter under Spain. though cedula tax, chief
source of Spanish revenue, practically
abolished. Economy and efficiency of null
itary government have created surplus
fund CT Sc. O00. COO which should be expend-
ed in much needed public works, notably
Improvement of Manila harbor. .
With proper tariff and facilities. Manila
will become great port OF Orient"
Recommendation as 20 Taxation.
The commission IS confident that "by a
judicious customs law, reasonable land
tax, and proper corporation franchise
tax. imposition of no greater rate than
that in average American States will give
less annoyance, and with peace will pro-
duce revenues sufficient TO pay expenses
of efficient government, including militia
and constabulary." They "are preparing
| a stringent civil service law, giving equal
| opportunity TO Filipinos and Americans.
with preference for former where quaIih-
cations are equal 10 enter at lowest
rank, and, by promotion, reach head of
| department" Forty-fve miles of
railroad extension under negotiation Will
give access TO a large province rich in
valuable minerals. a mile high, with
strictly temperate climate. Rail
| road construction will give employment
10 many, and Communication will furnish
market to vast stretches of rich agricul-
| tural lands"
They report that there are "calis from
/ an parts OF the islands for public schools,
4 school supplies, and English teachers,
! greater than the commission can provide
until comprehensive school system is
organized. Night schools for teaching
1 English TO adults are being establis ned
IN response 10 popular demand Native
children show aptitude in learning Eng
] lish. spanish is spoken by a small frac-
| ton of people. and in a few years the me-
dium OF communication in the courts
public offices, and between different tribes
VIII be English creation of central goy-
ernment Within eighteen months. under
/ which substantially all rights described
| In the bill of rights in the Federal Con
sutution are to be secured 10 the people
| or the Philippines, will bring 10 them
| eontentment prosperity. education, and
I political enlightenment"
This shows TO my eountrymen what has
/ been and Is being done 10 bring the bene-
fts or liberty and good government 10
( these wards OF the nation. Every effort
/ has been directed TO their peace and pros
( Ierity, their advancement and well-be-
I Ing. not for our aggrandizement nor for
/ pride OF might not for trade OF commeFcs,
/ not for exploitation. but for humanity
and civilization; and for the protection
| OF the vast majority of the population
who welcome our sovereignty against the
| designing minority. whose first demand
-