Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-06-07
ARRIVED AT MANILA.
The Philippine Commissioners Wei
coined by Gen. Macarthur.
The STATEMENT OF JUDGE TAFT.
He Says They Are There to Do Justice to
Filipinos and to Secure for Them
the Best Government In Their
POwar.

Power.
Manila, June 1.-THE United States
transport Hancock, from San Fran
cisco April 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 Han
cock. At noon the commissioners
landed and drove to the palace, es-
corted by Gen. MacArthur's staff, a
band and two companies of the TWEEN
ty-sixth infantry, with artillery. At
The palace the commissioners were
welcomed by Gen. Macarthur in a
short and forceful address. After
Judge William H. Taft, president of
the commission, had replied the com
missoners returned to the Hancock,
where they will remain until they
have selected suitable dwellings on
land.
During the morning the members
of the Filipino supreme court, the To-
cal editors and many of the leading
merchants repaired to the transport,
where they conversed with the com
missoners. Rear Admiral Remy, in
command of the United States naval
forces on the Asiatic station, called
officially during the afternoon. To-
day Gen. Macarthur will return the
call of the commissioners. The family
of Judge Taft will remain for a while
in Japan The families of the other
commissioners arrived with them.
Judge Taft, speaking yesterday in
reply to representative of the Asso-
ciated press, regarding the powers
and future work of the commission,
said: I'VE have full instructions and
extensive powers. The latter we shall
not exercise until we have had ample
time to acquire sufficient knowledge
of the situation to enable us to pro-
coed to enact legislative changes and
reforms, preliminary to the estab-
lishment of stable, civil government.
Until we assume authority Gen. Mac
Arthur will continue to perform the
duties and exercise 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
as the executive head until, on our
recommendation to President Mckin-
lev it shall seem to the president
that the time has arrived for the ap-
pointment of a civil executive and for
making the military forces merely
auxiliary in carrying on the civil gov
eminent. TO be available only in cases
of emergency for the suppression OF
lowless violence too formidable to be
overcome by the regularly organized
local police.
eve are aware that there are sew
eral issues Of deep interest to the FIJI
ipinos 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 adjustments
IIpon the latter class of issues we
cannot now speak.
Representing the sovereignty OF
the United States in the Philippines
which it IS the purpose of our gov
eminent to maintain, we are here to
do Justice to the Filipino and to Sc
cure for them the best government
in our power and such a measure OF
popular control as is consistent with
| the stability and security of law, or
der and property. We are civil OIL
GERS. men of peace, The field of our
work is necessarily confined to re-
pions where the armed enemy has
ceased his operations. We cannot deal
with armed men. Gen. Macarthur
and the army will do that.
"When those now in arms shall
have laid them down, relying. as they
certainly can, upon the Justice, gen
crosby and clemency of the United
States, we shall give them all full
hearing upon the policy to be pursued
and the reforms to be initiated. We
purpose to inaugurate as comprehen'
sive a school system throughout the
islands as circumstances will allow
am surprised that Manila has not
received news regarding the Spoonel
bill. measure calculated to help us
prentlv in our work here"