The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-09-21


status Of the native Inhabitants Of the terri
tories hereby ceded to the United States
shall be determined by the Congress-"
Eleven days thereafter on Dec. q, the fol-
lowing direction was given to the command
er of our forces in the Philippines:
1.-THE military commander Of the United
States is enjoined to make known to the in
habitants Of the Philippine Islands that, in
succeeding to the sovereignty Of Spain, In
severing the former political relations of the
Inhabitants and in establishing new polit-
ical power, the authority Of the United
States is to be exerted for the securing OF
the persons and property Of the people OF
the Islands and for the confirmation Of all
their private rights and relations. 1t Will
be the duty of the commander OF the forces
Of occupation to announce and proclaim In
the most public manner that we come not
as invaders or conQuerors, but as friends, to
protect the natives in their homes, In their
employments and in their personal and re-
lsious rights"
Sent a Comm ission.
In order to facilitate the most humane,
pacific and effective extension OF authority
throughout these islands, and to secure, with
the least possible delay, the Dement'S OF a
wise and generous protection Of life and
property to the inhabitants, I appointed In
January, 1890, a commission consisting OF
Jacob Gould Schurman Of New York, Ad-
miral George Dewey, U. S. NJ; Charles
DENLY Of Indiana, Professor Dean c. Wor-
cester Of Michigan, and Major General Ell
we'll S. Otis, U. S. A. Their instructions
contained the following:
In the performance Of this duty the COM
nissioners are enjoined to meet at the
earliest possible day In the city OF Manila,
and to announce by public proclamation
their presence and the mission tntrusted to
them, carefully setting forth that. while the
military government already proclaimed Is
to be maintained and continued SO long as
necessity may require, efforts will be made
to alleviate the burden Of taxation, to estab-
lish industrial and commercial prosperity,
Of property by such means as may be found
conducive to these ends.
Given Careful Instructions.
The commissioners will endeavor, with
out interference with the military authori-
ties of the United States now in control OF
the Philippines, to ascertain what ameliora
ton In the condition Of the Inhabitants and
what improvements in public order may be
practicable, and for this purpose they will
study attentively the existing social aid po-
litical state Of the various populations, par
ticularly as regards the forms OF local gov
eminent, the administration of justice, the
Hc
means of transportation. and the need OF
public improvements. They will report
= the results of their observations and
reflections, and will recommend such execu
tive action as may from time to time seem
to them wise and useful.
1.-The commissioners are hereby authorized
to confer authoritatively with any persons
resident in the islands from whom they may
believe themselves able to derive Informal
ton or suggestions valuable for the. pur'
poses of their commission, or whom they
may choose to employ as agents, as may be
necessary for this purpose.
Avoided Harsh Measures.
1T is my desire that in all their relations
with the inhabitants Of the islands the com
missioners exercise due respect for MI the
ideals, customs and institutions Of the tribes
which compose the population, emphasizing
upon all occasions the just and beneficent in
tentions of the government of the United
States.
1T Is also my wish and expectation that
the commissioners may be received in q
manner due to the honored and authorized
representatives of the American Republic
duly commissioned on account of their
knowledge, skill and integrity as bearers OF
the good WILL the protection and the richest
blessings of hberatins rather than a con
Quering nation
On the 9Th of February, 1899, the treaty
was ratified by the Senate of the Unit ed
States, and the Congress Immediately ap
propriate ted $4,000, 900 to carry out it's pro
visions. The Publications were exchanged
by the United States and Spain on the 18th
Of April, 1899.
As early as April, 1899, the Philippine
commission, Of which DR.. Schurman was
president, endeavored to bring about peace
in the Islands by repeated conferences witt
leading Tagalogs representing the so-callet
insurgent government, to the end that some
general plan of government might be offered
them which they would accept.
Pleased the Natives.
So great was the satisfaction Of the insur
gent commissioners with the form of gov
eminent proposed by the American com
missioners that the latter submitted tn,
proposed scheme to me for approval, and my
action thereon Is shown by the cable mes
sage following:
May s, 1899. Schurman, Manila: Your.
9TH received. You are authorized to propos,
that, under the military power of the Presi
dent, pending action Of Congress, govern
ment Of the Philippine Islands shall consis
of governor general appointed by tn.
President, cabinet appointed by the govern
or general, a general advisory council elect
ed by the people, the qualifications Of elect
ors to be carefully considered and deter
mined, and the governor general to have ah
Folute veto. Judiciary strong and indie
pendent, principal judges appointed by tn
President. The cabinet and judges to b.
chosen from natives or Americans or both
having regard to fitness.
The President earnestly desires the cessa
ton of bloodshed and that the people Of tn
Philippine Islands at an early date shall
have the largest measure Of local self gov
eminent consistent with peace and goo,
order.