Iron County register., 1900-06-07
ARRIVED SAFELY AT MANILA.
The Philippine Commissioners Cordially
Welcomed by Gen. Macarthur
and Stan.

and STAFF.
Manila. June 4.-Ths United States
| transport Hancock. from San Francis
90, May 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 Ham
| landed ard drove to the palace escorted
| by Gen. MacArthur's staff, a band and
two companies of the .rwenty-sixth in
| tantry, with artillery.
The Commissioners Welcomed.
AT the palace the commissioners
were welcomed by Gen. Macarthur in
a short and forcible address.
After Judge VIM. III. Taft, president
| Of the commission, had replied the
commissioners returned to the Ham
cock, where they will remain until
| they have selected suitable dwellings
| ON land.
During the morning the members of
| the Filipino supreme court, the local
| editors and many of the leading mer-
chants repaired to the transport, where
| they conversed with the commission
| ers.
Rear-Admiral Remy, in command of
| the United States naval forces OH the
Asiatic station, called officially during
| the afternoon. To-day Gen. MacAr-
| thur will return the call of the COM
nissioners.
The family of Judge Taft will re-
fa,,,
lies of the other commissioners ar
rived with them.
Judge Taft, speaking yesterday in
reply to representative of the press
regarding the powers and future work
of the commission, said:
Powers and Future Work.
''We have full instructions and eX-
tensive powers. The latter we shall not
air until we have had ample time to
acquire sufficient knowledge of the
situation to enable us to proceed to
enact Legislative changes and reforms.
preliminary to the establishment of a
stable civil government. Until we as
surle authority, Gen. Macarthur will
continue to perform the duties and
exercise the powers formerly per-
formed and exercised by Gen. Otis,
ard, even after we take active and full
part in the government Gen. MacAr-
thur will continue as the executive
head until, on our recommendation to
President Mckinley, it shall seem to
the president that the time has arrived
for the appointment of civil execu-
tive and for making the military forces
in, IA
civil government, and to be available
only in cases of emergency for the
suppression of lawless violence too
formidable to be overcome by the reg
ularly organized local police.
Issues of Interest to FiIipinos.
''We are aware that there are several
issues of deep interest to the Filipinos
upon which it is our duty to take ac-
ton. Some of these involve judicial
investigation and decisions upon legal
rights Others call for the careful ex-
crcise of political power in order to
secure equitable adjustments. Upon
the latter class of issues we can not
now speak.
Justice to the Filipino.
"Representing the sovereignty of the
United States in the Philippines,
which it is the purpose of our gov
ernment to maintain, we are here ~
do justice to the Filipinos, and to Sc
cure for them the best government in
our power, and such measure of por-
ular control as is consistent with the
stability and security of law, order and
property. We are civil officers, man
I'M Il =
necessarily confined to regions where
the armed enemy has ceased his opera
tions. We can not deal with armed
nen. Gen. Macarthur and the army
will do that.
VIII Afford q Full Hearing.
''When those now in arms shall have
aid them down, relying as they c.r-
tainly can, upon the justice, genero,-
ity and clemency of the United States,
we shall give them all a full hearing
upon the policy to be pursued and the
eforms to be initiated. We purpose
to inaugurate as comprehensive d
school system throughout the islands
as circumstances will allow. l am sur
prised that Manila has not received
news regarding the Spooner bill, Il
measure calculated to help us greatly
in our work.
Sought Information in Hong Kong.
While in Hong Kong the commits
sioners questioned Amacho and M M
bers of the wealthy Cortez family re-
garding Filipino affairs not covered by
The Filipino junta here. The Filipinos
in Manila are anxiously and even
nervously waiting for a formal state
ment by the commission regarding its
future policy.
Cables from Hong Kong have been
published here to the effect that t!.e
commission will not assume control
until September. This report, coupled
with the statement that Washington
approves Gen. MacArthur's plan of
campaign has created considerable e.
citement in Filipino circles, where 1t
has been expected that immedi;,1e
changes of policy and action would
follow the arrival of the commission.
Kansas Big Wheat Crop.
Topeka, Kas., June 4.-The farmers
of Kansas will begin this week to hary-
lo, ~, he hi