The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-04
OUR ISLAND POSSESSIONS.
THE PHILIPPINES.
Instructions to the Taft Commission-
Progress Towards Peace.


In my last annual message 1 dwelt at
some length upon the condition of affairs
in the Philippines. While seeking to i'm
press upon you that the grave responsible
ity of the future government of those
islands rests with the Congress of the
United, States, L abstained from recon-
mending at that time a specific and final
form OF government for the territory ac-
tually held by the United States forces,
and in which as long as Instruction con-
tinues the military arm must necessarily
be supreme. I stated my purpose, until
the Congress shall nave made known the
formal expression of its will. to use the
authority vested in me by the Constitution
and the statutes to uphold the sovereignty
of the United States in those distant
islands as in all other places where our
flag rightfully floats, placing 10 that end
at the disposal of the army and navy all
the means which the liberality of the Con-
gress and the people have provided. No
contrary expression of the will of the Con-
gress having been made, 1 have steadfastly
pursued the purpose so declared, employ
ing the civil arm as well toward the ac-
complishment of pacification and the insti-
tuition of local governments within the
lines of authority and law.
Progress in the hoped-for direction has
been favorable. Our forces have success
fully controlled the greater part of the
lSldnuS, overcoming the organized FORCES
OF the insurgents and carrying order and
administrative regularity to all quarters.
What opposition remains is for the most
part scattered. obeying no concerted plan
or strategic action, operating only
by the methods common to the
traditions of guerrilla warfare, which,
while Intellectual to alter the general con-
troll now established, are still sufficient to
beget insecurity among the populations
that have felt the good results of our con-
troll and thus delay the conferment upon
them OF the fuller measures of local self
government, or education and of Industrial
and agricultural development which we
stand ready to give to them.
THE CIVIL COMMISSION.
By the spring of this year the effective
opposition of the dissatisfied Tagals to the
authority of the United States was vir-
tually ended. thus opening the door for the
extension of a stable administration over
much of the territory of the archipelago.
Desiring to bring this about, 1 appointed
In March last a, civil commission COM
posed of the Hon. William II. Taft, of
Ohio; Prof. Dean c. Worcester, of Michi-
gan; Hon. Luke f. Wright. of Tennessee;
Hon. Henry G. Ide, of Vermont, and Prof.
Bernard Moses. of California. The aims
of their mission and the scope of their
authority are clearly set forth in my in
structions of April z, 1900, addressed TO the
secretary of war. to be transmitted to
them.
I'm the message transmitted to the Con-
gress on the 5th of December, 1899. L said,
speaking of the Philippine islands: AS
long as the insurrection continues tho
military arm must necessarily be supreme.
But there is no reason why steps should
not be taken from time to time to in
aUgurate governments essentially popular
IT. their form as fast as territory is held
and controlled by our troops. To this end
L am considering the advisability of the
return of the commission, or such of the
members thereof as can be secured, TO
aid the existing authorities and facilitate
this work throughout the Islands,
ITO give effect to the intention thus
expressed l have appointed the Hon. VIII
liam II. Taft. of Ohio; Prof. Dean C. Wor-
c%ester, of Michigan; the Hon. Luke e
Wright, of Tennessee; the Hon. Henry C.
Ide, Of Vermont, and Prof. Bernard Moses,
or California, commissioners to the Phil
ippine islands. to continue and perfect the
work of organizing and establishing civil
government already commenced by the
military authorities, subject in all respects
To any laws which Congress may here
after enact.
The commissioners named will meet and
act as a board, and the Hon. William H..
Taft Is designated as president of the
board. 1t is probable that the transfer
OF authority from military commanders 10
civil officers will be gradual and will oc-
cupy a considerable period. It's successful
accomplishment and the maintenance of
peace and order, In the meantime, will re-
Quire the most perfect cooperation be-
tween the civil and military authorities in
the islands, and both should be directed
during the transition period by the same
executive department The commission
will therefore report to the secretary of
war and all their action will be subject to
your approval and control.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.
You will instruct the commission to
proceed to the city of Manila, where they
will make their principal office. and TO
communicate with the military Governor
of the Philippine islands, whom you will
at the same time direct to render to them
every assistance within his power In the
performance of their duties. Without
hampering them by too specific instruc-
lions. they should in general be enjoined.
after making themselves familiar with the
conditions and needs of the country to
devote their attention In the first instance
10 the establishment Of municipal govern.
ments in which the natives of the Islands,
both in the cities and in the rural COM
munities. shall be afforded the opportunity
to manage their own local affairs TO the
fullest extent of which they are capable
and subject TO the least degree of super
vision and control which a careful study
of their capacities and observations OF
the workings of native control show to be
consistent with the maintenance of law,
order and loyalty.
THE next subject in order OF Importance
should be the organization of government
in the larger administrative divisions CORE
\ ROiAAA9 " tA'NA~ a. ACAAl vi piVS-
inces, in which the common interests OF
many or several municipalities falling with
in the same tribal lines, or the same nat
ural geographical limits, may best be sub
served by n common administration. When
ever the commission is OF the opinion that
the condition OF affairs is such that the
central administration may safely be trans
ferred from military TO civil control they
will report the conclusion to you. with their
recommendations as TO the form of central
government TO be established for the. pur-
pose of taking over the control.
beginning witt the first day OF Septem-
Ter, 1900, the authority to exercise, subject
to my approval. through the secretary Of
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. to be thereafter exercised by
them In the place and stead of the military
governor. under such rules and regulations
"a you shall prescribe. until the establish
ment OF the civil central government for the
islands contemplated In the last foregoins
paragraph. or until Congress shall other:
wise provide. Exercise OF this legislative
authority will include the making OF rules
and orders. having the effect Of law. Tor the
raising OF revenue by taxes customs dutiea
and imposts; tho appropriation and ex-