The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-09-21

III u.
and enthusiastic army. No alternative was
left to US except ignominious retreat.
Had to Remain.
1T IL not to be conceived Of that any
American would have sanctioned the sur
render Of Manila to the Insurgents. Our OBJ.
legations to other nations and to the friendly
Fllipinos and to ourselves and our nag de.
manded that force should be met with force.
Whatever the future of the Philippines may
be, there is no course open to US now except
the prosecution of the war until the insur.
gents are reduced to submission.
1.-The commission is Of the opinion that
there has been no time since the destruction
OF the Spanish squadron by Admiral Dewey
when it was possible to withdraw our forces
from the islands either with honor to our
selves or with safety to the Inhabitants"
After the most thorough study Of the peo-
pies Of the archipelago the commission re-
ported, among other things:
"Their lack Of education and political ex-
perience, combined with their racial and
linguistic divegsities, disqualify them, in
spite Of their mental gifts and domestic vir-
tues, to undertake the task of governing the
archipelago at the present time. The most
that can be expected Of them is to cooper
ate with the Americans in the administra-
tion Of general affairs, from Manila as a
center, and to undertake, subject to Amer
lean control or guidance las may be found
necessary the administration Of provincial
and municipal affairs. .
Would Invite Anarchy.
Should our power by any fatality be
Withdrawn, the commission believes that the
government of the Philippines would speed
Ivy lapse Into anarchy, which would excuse,
II 1t did not necessitate, the Intervention Of
other powers, and the eventual division of
the islands among them. Only through
American occupation, therefore, Is the idea
OF free, self-governing and united Philip
pine commonwealth at all conceivable. I"
THUS the welfare of the Filipinos coin
cides with the dictates OF national honor in
forbiddtng our abandonment of the archi-
pelago. We cannot from any point of view
escape the responsibilities Of government
'-~>~A
mission is strongly persuaded that the per-
formance Of our national duty will prove
the greatest blessing to the people Of the
Philippine Islands,"
Satisfied that nothing further could be &C.
complished in pursuance Of their mission
until the rebellion was suppressed, and de-
string to place before the Congress the re-
suit OF their observations, I requested the
commission to return to the United States.
Their most intelligent and comprehensive
report, was submitted to Congress.
Duties of the Com mission.
In March, 1900, believing that the insur.
rectlon was practically ended and earnestly
desiring 10 promote the establishment Of a
stable government in the archipelago, ap.
| pointed the following civil commission
William H. Taft of Ohio, Professor Dean c
Worcester of Michigan, Luke l. Wright OF
Tennessee, Henry c. Ide Of Vermont, and
Bernard Moses Of California. My instruc-
lions to them contained the fo:lowing:
You (the Secretary of War; will instruct
the commission to devote their at.
| tention IN the first instance to the establish
nent OF municipal governments, In which
the natives OF the islands. both in the cities
and IN the rural communities, shall be at
forded the opportunity to manage their own
local affairs to the fullest extent OF which
they are capable and subject to the least de-
sree OF supervision and control which care
full study of their capacities and obserya tion
OF the workings of native control show to be
consistent with the maintenance Of law, or
der and loyalty. -
Awaits the Report.
"Whene1 er the commission is Of the opin-
lon that the condition Of affairs in the ISL
ands Is such that the central administra ton
may safely be transferred from military to
civil control they will report that conclu-
sion TO you (the Secretary of War;, with
their personal recommended tions as to the
form Of central government to be estab-
lished for the purpose Of taking over the
control.
"Begihning with the LIST day of Septem-
Der, 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 leg
islative nature is to be transferred from the
military governor of the islands to This con-
mission, to be thereafter exercised by them
In the place and stead Of the military gov
ernor, under such rules and regulations as
you the Secretary of War; shall prescribe,
until the establishment of the civil central
government for the Islands contemplated In
the last foregoing paragraph or until Con
gress shall otherwise provide.
LeEisla tive Authority.
"Exerclce Of this legislative authority will
include the making OF rules and orders hay-
| Ing the effect Of law for the raising Of reve.
nue. by taxes, customs duties and imposts:
the appropriation and expenditure OF the
public funds Of the Islands; the establish.
| ment Of an educational system throughout
| the Islands; the establishment OF q system
to secure an efficient civil service; the or
Eanizatlon and establishment Of courts: the
organization and establishment of municipal
and departmental governments, and all
other matters Of q civil nature Of which the
| military governor Is now competent to pro.
| vide by rules or orders Of q legislative char.
| acter. The commission will also have
| power during the same period to appoint ia
| Office such officers under the judicial edu.
cational and civil service systems and in the
municipal and departmental governments az
| shall be provided"
! Rules for the Interim.
Until Congress shall take action directed
| that: -
Upon every division and branch of tn.
government OF the Philippines must be Inn
posed these inviolable rules: That no Der
son shall be deprived Of life, liberty or prop
| erty without due process OF law; that pri
| Vate property shall not be taken for puhlf.
| use lthout just compensation; that in al
criminal prosecutions the accused shall en-
JOY the right to speedy and public trial. r.
he informed OF the nature and cause of th,