The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-24

status Of the native inhabitants OF the ter
ritory hereby coded TO the United States
shall be determined by the Congress- Thus
it will be seen the treaty makes clear dis
tinction between native Spaniards living in
the islands and native Filipinos- For the
former it provides an easy way by which
they may preserve their allegiance to
Spain, but for the latter il makes no pro-
vision whatever. but says their political
status shall be determined by the Congress.
Evidently, therefore, the treaty intended to
convey and does convey to the United
States to the fullest extent all of SPANS
sovereignty over the inhabitants of the
islands as well as over the territory.
Still, the question may be asked, are the
Filipinos citizens or subjects of the United
States? They are neither. They are not
subjects because such a condition cannot
exist in a republic. and they will not be
citizens until they are made so by Con-
gress In the language of the treaty, Their
civil rights and political status shall be de-
termined by the Congress" When. how, and
to what extent they shall be clothed with
within the control of Congress. No doubt
Congress will ratify the local government
soon 20 be established by the Philippines
commission and that will confer many of
the benefits of American citizenship. Presi-
dent McKinleys instructions to the COM
mission, published few days ago. said:
Upon every division and branch of the
government of the Philippines. therefore.
must be imposed these inviolabie rules:
That no person shall be deprived of life,
liberty 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 a
speedy and public trial. 20 be informed of
the nature and cause Of the accusation, to
be confronted with the witnesses against
him, to have compulsory process for OBJ
tanning 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
| unusual punishment inflicted; that no per-
son shall be put twice in jeopardy for the
same offense, or be compelled in any GRIM
| inal case 10 be witness against himself;
| that the right to be secure against unrea-
| sonable searches and seizures shall not be
| violated; that neither slavery nor involtn-
| tary servitude shall exist except as a pun
| ishment for crime; that no bill of attainder,
post facto 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 to peaceably assemble and
| petition the government for redress OF
| grievances. that no law shall be made re-
speeding establishment of religion, or
| prohibiting the free exercise thereof, and
] that the free exercise and enjoyment OF
! religious profession and worship without
discrimination or preference shall forever
| be allowed.
Under such conditions as these. and with
| participation in local government the Fill
| pinos live happily a long time without
becoming full-fiedged citizens of the United
! States. 1t may be necessary for them TO
| undergo a longer period of tutelage than
| the inhabitants of Alaska or New Mexico
have done, the former already more than
| thirty years and the latter more than fifty.
| In the of the Alaskan natives our
| treaty with Russia, made in 1867 provided
+, that they "shan be subject to such laws
| and regulations as the United States may
| from time to time adopt in regard to abor-
iginal tribes of that country This put the
| Alaskan natives on the same footing with
| other Indians, but we propose to treat the
| Filipinos much better. The status of the
| latter is that of people owing allegiance tc
| the United States, whose civil rights and
| future political status are to be determined
| by Congress.