Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-04

Outlines the Purpose of the Com mi is
sion Which He Heads.

The United States transport Hancock.
from San Francisco. April L. arrived at
Manila yesterday morning with the MEM
bers of the Philippine commission.
After the usual receptions Judge Taft, in
reply to representative of the Associated
Press regarding the powers and future
work of the commission, said:
1--WE have full instructions and extensive
powers. The later We shall not exercise
until We have had ample time to acquire
sufficient knowledge of the situation to en-
able us to proceed to enaC. Legislative
changes and reforms preliminary to the
establishment of a stable civil government.
Until We assume authority Gen. Macarthur
Will continue TO perform the duties and eN-
ercise the powers formerly performed and
exercised by Gen. Otis. and even after we
take active and full part in the govern
ment Gen. Macarthur will continue the
executive head until. upon our recon-
mendation to President Mckinley. it shall
seem to the President that the time has
arrived for the appo.ntm INT of Il civil exec
utive and for making the military forces
merely auxiliary in carrying the civil
government. to be available only in
OF emergency for the suppression of lawess
violence too formidable to he overcome by
the regularly organized local police.
I'VE are aware that there are several is
sues of deep interest to the FiipinoS upon
which it is our duty to take action. Some
of these involve judicial Investigation and
decisions upon legal rights. Others call for
the careful exercise of political power in
order to secure equitable al stmcntS.
Upon the latter class Of issues We cannot
speak.
Representing the sovereignty of the
United States in the Philippines. which it
is the purpose of our government to MAIN
tain. We are here to do justice to the Fill
pinos and to secure for them the best gov
eminent in our power and such Il measure
of popular control as is consistent with the
stability and security of law. order and
property. We are civil officers. men of
peace. The field of our work is necessarily
confined to regions where the armed enemy
has ceased his operations. We cannu: deal
with armed men. Gen. Macarthur and the
army will do that.
when those now in arms shall have
laid them down. relying, they certainly
can. upon the Justice. generosity and elem
ency of the United States we shall give
them all a full hearing upon the policy to
be pursued and the reforms to be Initiated
We purpose to inausurate as comprehen-
sive school system throughout the islands
as circumstances will allow. | am sur
prised that Manila has not received news
regarding the Spooner bill. a measure cal
culated to help us greatly in our work
here"
While in Hong Kong the commissioners
questioned Armacho and members of the
wealthy CorteZ family rega riding Filipino
affairs not covered by the Filipino junta
there.
The Filipnos in Manila are anxiously,
and even nervoUsly. awaiting "A formal
Statement. by the commission regarding its
future policy. Everything the commission
ers say or do is carefully considered
Cablegrams from Hong Kong have been
published here to the effect that me COM
MISSION VIII not assume control until Sep
TENDER. This report, coupled with the
statement that Washington approves Gen
Macarthur plan of campaign. has created
considerable excitement in Filipino circles,
where it has been expected that immedia.e
changes of policy and action would ollow
the arrival of the commission
1t should be understood that the fore
gong declaration of Judge Taft is in no
sense intended as a proclamation.