The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-03
THE PHILIPPINE WAR.
Contention That TaEHI Opposition
Largely DisOrSanized.

Contention That TaEHI Opposition Is
Largely DIsorsanized.
In my last annual message l dweit at
some length upon the condition o. affairs
in the Philippines. While seeking to i'm
press upon you that the grave response
bility of the future government of those
islands rests with the Congress of the
United States, abstafned from recon-
mending at that q specific and final form
of government for the territory actually
held by the United States forces and in
which as long as Instruction continues
the military arm must necessarily be su-
preme- I stated my purpose. until the
Congress shall have made known the for
nal expression OF its viii, to Use the au-
thority vested in me- by the Constitution
and the statutes to uphold the sovereign
ty Of the United States in those distant
islands as IL all other places where our
fiag rightfully floats, placing, TO that end
at the disposal Of The army and navy all
the means which the Ibera1ity of the
Congress and the people have provided.
No contrary expression OF the VIII OF the
Congress having been made, / have stead
lastly pursued the purpose so declared,
employing the civil arm as well toward
thu institution OF local governments
within the lines of authority and law.
Progress in the hoped-for direction has
been favorable Cur forces have success
fully controlled the greater part OF the
islands, 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
r.,
methods common to the traditions of
guerrilla warfare, which, while Ineffective
to alter the general control now estab-
lished, are still sufficient to beget 1n5e-
eurity among the populations that have
felt the good results Of our control and
thus delay the conferment upon them of
the fuller measures of local self govern
1nent, of education, and of Industrial and
agricultural development which We stand
ready to give to them
By the spring of this year the effective
opposition OF the dissatisfied Tagals 10
the authority of the United States was
virtually ended, thus opening the door for
the extension Of stable administra ton
over much Of the territory of the archi-
pelage. Desiring to bring this about, I
appointed in March last a civil commits
sion composed of the Hon. William H
Taft, of Ohio; Prof Dean c. Worcester,
| Tennessee; the Hon. Henry C. 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 instructions of April Z
$780, addressed to the Secretary OF War
to be transmitted to them:
The Taft Commission.
In the message transmitted to the Con-
gress on the 5th of December, 1899, I said
speaking Of the Philippine Islands:
As long as the instruction continues She
military arm must necessarily be supreme. Blu:
there Is no reason why steps should not be taken
from time to time 70 inaugurate governments
essentially popular IN their form as fsst rs
To this end ! considering the adyi sabiIity 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 ex-
pressed, / have appointed Hon William
H Taft OF Ohio, Prof Dean C. Worcester
OF Michigan. Hon. Luke I. Wright of Ten
nessee, Hon. Henry C. Ids Of Vermont
and Prof. Bernard Moses of California
Commissioners TO the Philippine Islands
10 continue and perfect the work Of or
ga1izing and establishing civil govern
aaeRt already commenced by the 1nilitary
I
laws which Congress may hereafter enact
THE Commissioners named viii meet and
act as board, and the Hon William H
Taft is designated as president of the
| board It is probable that the transfer OF
authority from military commanders tC
civil officers viii be gradual and win oc-
cupy considerable period Its successful
| accomplishment and the maintenance OF
peace and order in the mean time viii re-
Quire the most perfect cooperation be-
! tween the civil aE1 military authorities
ia the island, and both should be directed
| during the transition period By the same
| Executive Department. The Commission
viii therefore report to the Secretary o.
War, and all their actions viii be sub
| ject to your approval and control
You viii instruct the Commission t.
| proceed to the city OF Manila. where the,
| viii make their principal office, and t.
] communicate with the Military Governor