Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-10

rural communities, shall be afforded the
| opportunity to manage their own local af-
| fairs to the fullest extent Of which they are
capable, and subject TO the least degree or
supervision and control which a careful
study of their capacities and observation OF
the workings of native control show to be
consistent with the maintenance of law
order and loyalty. . Whenever the
| commission is of the opinion that the condi-
| ton of affairs in the islands is such that
| the central administratio may. safely be
transferred from military to civil control,
they viii report that conclusion to you Che
secretary of War;. with their recommenda-
| tons as to the form of central government
TO be established for the purpose of taking
over the control.
ROVER Transferred to the Com miss sion
Beginning with the LIST day OF Septem-
Der. 1900, the authority to exercise subject
to my approval, through the Secretary or
War, that part of the power Of government
| in the Philippine Islands which is of a
legislative nature is to be transferred from
the military governor of the islands to this
commission, 10 be thereafter exercised by
them in the place and stead of the military
governor. under such rules and regulations
as you (the Secretary of War; shall pre-
scribe, until the establishment of the civil
central government for the islands contem-
plated In the last foregoing paragraph or
until Congress shall otherwise provide. Ex-
ercise of this legislative authority will in
Guide the making of rules and orders having
the effect of law for the raising Of revenue
by taxes, customs duties and imposts: the
appropriation and expenditure of the public
funds or the Islands: the establishment OF
an educational system throughout the is
lands: the establishment of a system to Sc
cure an efficient civil service; the organiza-
ton of and establishment Of courts: the or
ganization and establishment of municipal
ana departmental governments. and all
other matters of a civil nature for which
the military governor is now competent to
provide by rules or orders of legislative
a afn ThN
power during the same period TO appoint to
office such officers under the judicial. educa-
tionai and civil service systems and in the
municipal and departmental governments
as shall be provided for. 80
Given constitutional Guarantees.
Until Congress shall take action / directed
that
Upon every division and branch of the
government of the Philippines must be
imposed these inviolable rules:
That no person shall be deprived OF life
liberty or property without due process of
law; that private property shall not be
taken for public use without just compen-
sation; that in all criminal prosecutions the
accused shall enjoy the right to speedy
and public trial. to be informed of the
nature and cause of the accusation to be
confronted with the witnesses against him,
to have compulsory process for obtaining
witnesses in his favor. and to have the
assistance of counsel for his defense; that
excessive bail shall not be required nor
excessive fines imposed. nor cruel and I'M
usual punishment inflicted: that no person
shall be put twice in jeopardy for the
same offense. or be compelled in any crimi-
nal case to be a witness against himself;
that the right to be secure against unrea-
sonable searches and seizures shall not be
violated; that neither slavery nor involun-
tary servitude shall exist except pun
fshment for crime; that no bill of attainder,
or ex-postfacto law shall be passed; that
no law shall be passed abridging the free
dom of speech or of the press, or the rights
Of the people 10 peaceably assemble and
petition the government for a redress Of
grievances; that no law shall be made
speeding the establishment OF religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof, and
that the free exercise and enjoyment of re-
ligious profession and worship without dis
elimination or preference shall forever be
allowed.
1T will be the duty Of the commission
to promote and extend, and. they find
occasion. to improve, the system of eduCa-
ton already fnaugurated by the military
authorities. In doing this they should re-
gard of first Importance the extension of
a system of primary education which shall
be free to all, and which shall tend TO fit
the people for the duties of citizenship, and
for the ordinary avocations Of civilized
community. Especial attention
should be at once given to affording full
opportunity to all the people of the islands
to acquire the use of the English Ian
Upon all officers and employees of the
United States. both civil and military,
should be impressed a sense OF the duty to
observe, not merely the material. but, the
personal and social rights of the people of
the islands, and to treat them with the
same courtesy and respect for their per
sonal dignity which the people of the United
States are accustomed to require from each
other. ...5 Il s@
.'The articles of capftufation of the city
of Manila the 18th Of August, 1893. con-
cluded with these words:
This city. its INHABITANTS, its churches
and religious worship. its educational es-
adjustments and its private property or all
descriptions are placed under the special
safeguard of the faith and honor OF the
American army.
Il believe that this pledge has been faith
fully kept. AS high and sacred an obli-
CATION rests upon the government Of the
United States to give protection for prop
erty and life civil and religious freedom,
and WISE firm and unsefsh guidance in
the paths of peace and, prosperity. to all
the people of the Philippine Islands. I
charge this commission to labor for the
full performance of this obligation, which
concerns the honor and conscience of their
country, in the firm hope that through their
labors all the inhabitants of the fnilippne
Islands may come to look back with graft
tude to the day when God gave victory to
American arms at Manila and set their
land under the sovereignty and the protec-
ton of the people Of the United States.
Proclamation of Amnesty.
That all might share in the regeneration
eminent, 1 directed Gen. Macarthur, the
military governor of the Philippines. to is
sue a proclamation of amnesty, which con-
tanned among other statements the follow
ing:
MANILA, P. l.. June 81. 1900.
by direction of the President of the
United States. the undersigned announces
amnesty. with complete immunity for the
past and absolute liberty Of action for the
future, to all persons who are now. OF at
any time since February 4, 1899, have been
in insurrection against the United States in
either a military civil capacity. and
who shall, within a period of ninety days
from the date hereof. formally renounce
all connection with such instruction and
subscribe to a declaration acknowledging
and accepting the sovereignty and author
ity of the United States in and over the
Philippine Islands. The privilege herewith
published Is extended to all concerned,
without any reservation whatever. except
ing 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 possible
consequences resulting from the various
disturbances which since 1895 have sue
70