The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-10

made to alleviate the burden OF taxation.
TO establish Industrial and commercial
prosperity and to provide for the safety
Of persons and OF property by such
means as may be found conducive u
these ends
The commissioners viii endeavor.
without Interference of the military au-
thorities Of the United States. now in
control OF the Philippines. 10 ascertain
what amelioration in the condition of the
inhabitants and what improvements in
public order may be practicable. and for
THIS purpose they Will study attentivey
the existing social and political state OF
the various populations. particularly as
regards the forms OF local government,
the administration of justice. the coilec-
ton OF customs and other taxes. the
means OF transportation and the need Of
public improvements. They will report
the results of their observations
and reflections and will recommend such
executive action as may from time to
time seem 10 them wise and useful.
THE commissioners are hereby au-
thorized to confer authoritatively with
any persons resident in the islands from
whom they may believe themselves able
10 derive information or suggestions val
liable for the purposes OF their commits
sion, or whom they may choose to en-
ply as agents as may be necessary for
that In all their relations with the inhab-
itants of the islands, the commissioners
exercise due. respect for all the ideals.
which compose the population, empha-
sizing. upon all occasions the Just and
benefcient Intentions Of the government
OF the United States IL is also my wish
and expectation that the commissioners
may be received In manner due to the
honor in which representatives of the
American government, duly commits
stoned. on account OF their knowledge.
skin and integrity as bearers OF good
will, should be held"
Ratification of Treaty.
On the 9th OF February. 1899 the treaty
was ratified by the senate OF the United
states and the congress Immediately APP
ppopriated $50, 600 600 to carry out its pro-
visions. The notifications were exchang-
cd by the United States and Spain on the
18th OF April. 1899.
Form of Government Outlined.
As early as April. 1899, the Philippine
commission. OF which DIR. Schurman was
president, endeayored to bring about
peace In the islands, by repeated confer
ences with leading Tagnlogs, represent
ing the so-called insurgent government
to the end that some general plan OF
government might be offered them which
they could accept. So great was the sat
isfaction OF the insurgent Commanders
with the form OF government proposed
by the American commissioners that the
latter submitted the proposed scheme
to me for approval and my action there
On is shown by tn; cable message follow
ing:
MAY 5. 1899. Schurman. Manila.
authorized to propose that under the
military power of the president pending
action of congress, government of the
Philippine islands shall consist OF a gov
ernor general. appointed by the president:
cabinet. appointed by the governor gem
eral: a general advisory council, elected
by the people; the qualifications of elect
ors to be carefully considered and deter
mined, and the governor general to have
absolute veto. Judiciary strong and in
dependent; principal judges appoined by
the president. The cabinet and judges
to be chosen from natives. or Americans.
or both. having regard to fitness. The
president earnestly desires the cessation
OF bloosished and thai the people of the
Philippine islands at an early date shall
have the largest measure of local self
government consistent with peace and
good order"
In the latter part of May another group
OF reports came from the insurgent lead
ers, The whole matter was fully dis
cussed when the promise Of acceptance
seemed near at hand They assured our
commissioners they would return after
consulting with their leader. but they
never did.
As result of the views expressed by
the first Tagalo representative favorable
to the plan OF the commission Il appears
that he was, by military order OF the In
surgent leaders, stripped of his shoulder
straps. dismissed from the army and SEN
fenced TO twelve years Imprisonment.
The views of the commission are best
set forth In their own words:
We are now engaged was unavoidable
by us. We were attacked ny a bold. adj
venturous and enthusiastic army No
alternative was left to us except ignom-
nous retreat IT Is not TO be conceived
Of that any American would have sane
toned the surrender Of Manila to the
insurgents, our obligations TO other ma
tons and to the friendly Flllpinos and TO
ourselves and eur dag demanded that
force should be met BY 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 in
surgents are reduced 20 submission The
commission is Of the opinion that there
has been no time. since the destruction
~ the spanish squadron b Admiral
Dewey. when II was possible to withdraw
our forces from the islands. either with
honor to ourselves or with safety to the
lnhahitAnta'
Report OF Commission.
After the most thorough study OF the
peoples Of the archipelago. the commits
sion reported. among other things.
Their lack % education and political
experience combined with their racial and
nnEuistic diversities. disquallfy them. In
spite OF their mental gifts and domestic
virtues 20 undertake tho task az gov
crnlnE the archipelago az tho present
time. The most that can be expected Of
them e. to cooperate with the Americans
in the administration % general aMairs
from Manila as center, and 20 under
take. subject 90 American control or
guidance las may he found necessary
the ADMINISTRATION ~ provincial and
municipal affairs,
Should our power. by any fatality. he
withdrawn the COMM ssion believes that
the government - the Philippines would
speedily lapse Into anarchy. which would
cause " 70 did not nrcessitatc. the inter-
yention % other powers and the eventual
division - the islands among fhern only
through American occupation. therefore.
IL tho idea - free. sslf-goveruiuE ard
united Philippine commonwealth az an
conceivable Thus the welfare
~ tho F-ilivinos coinCides Wtth the dic-
taiea ~ national honor IN forbsddinx
our abandonment ~ the archipelago We
cannot. from any point ~ view. escape
the rNsVons tiNties - government which
our snyeTeig nsY entails and the commits
SION Is strongly persuaded that the per-
farmancs 0f our national duty Wili prove
ihe creates, eisssirE 80 the people az The
FhiHpplne islnads
Satishe5 that aothlus further cauid DE
accomplished iu pursuance ~ their mis-
sion. unHi the rehe3ion vas suppressed
and desiring 20 place before the CONGRESS
the result - thetr ntsServ atoms, res
aueTted the commission 20 return 60 the
United States Their most intelligent and
caEaprchensivc report waa submitted "a