The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-06
THE PHILIPPINE
CORRESPONDENCE. E. II'.,
President Sendslt to the
Senate as Requested.
VERY VoLUMIN0Us.
The Document Contains Proclama-
tions and Reports.
GENERAL OTIS PROCLAMATION
Was Approved by President Mckinley
Though no Formal Notification to
That Effect Was Sent Him.
Representative of a Liber-
atins. Not a Conquer
ing Nation.
GENERAL OTIS PROCLAMATION

WASHINGTON, March 5.-The Presi-
dent sent to the Senate to-day the cor
respondence called for by a resolution OF
Senator Hoar, asking for information OF
the action of the Executive and his SUI
bordinates in the Philippines. 1t is
very yolumnous document, containing
instructions by the President, proclama-
tions by the Philippine Commission and
General Otis, and reports OF officers IN
the Philippines. Referring ito General
OTIS proclamation, the President says:
..No disapproval of the said proclamation
was made by my authority or OF the
War Department. 1t was, In fact ap-
proved by me, although no formal com
munication to that effect, was sent 10
General Otis.
Included in the correspondence of last
October between General Macarthur
and Aguinaldo's representative, General
Amtroso Flores, in regard to the del1v-
cry Of sick Spanish prisoners. is pro-
test against what he terms the Suspl-
ciousness of the Americans. He says:
1.-The treatment awarded necessarily
corresponds with our political condition.
adding that, .in the name of soldierly
honor, l protest against such suspicion,
as we have never resorted to indirect
means in order to wrest by artifce the
recognition of our beloved independence.
ENDORSE OTIS, COURSE.
A cablegraln from General Corbin,
dated November 10th. endorses General
Otis course in the matter OF the Spanish
prisoners. He says:
.:The letters Of the insurgents imply a
Iy,,1a
to the contrary notify Aguinaldo that he
and his advisers will be held personally
responsible for any injury done to Span
ish or American prisoners in violation OF
the laws and usuages of war among civ
ilized nations"
The instructions to General Merritt
are also transmitted. but not those of
General Otis, which the report says were
given in cypher. The instructions from
the President to General Merritt, May
%, 1888, direct the issuance of a procla-
nation saying that 'We come not to
make war upon the people of the Philip
pines, nor upon any party or faction
among them, but to protect them In their
homes, in their employments and in their
personal and religious rights. All prsons
who either by active aid or by honest ad-
mission co-operates with the United States
in its efforts to give effect to this benef1-
cent purpose will receive the reward of
It's support and protection. Our occupa-
ton should be as frea from severity as
possible"
Tha PRESIDENTS instructions to the
Philippine Commission, Of January 20,
1899, are given in full. The peace treaty
had not then been ratified, but the Presi-
dent expressed the opinion tnatit would
be .by the time of the arrival OF the
Commissioners at Manila
After referring to the fac. that the
temporary government of the Islands is
entrusted to the military authorities, and
authorizin,. proclamation, the President
says:
LEGISLATIVE NEEDS.
''The tCom-nission may render valuable
services by. examining with special care
the legislative needs of the various groups
of inhabitants, and by reporting with
recommendations the measures which
should be instituted for the maintenance
Of order, peace and public welfare"
TT is my desire that in all their rela-
tions with the Inhabitants of the islands
the commissioners exercise due respect
for all the ideals. Gus toms, and insttu-
tons Of the tribes and races which COM
pose the population, emphasizing upon
all occasions the just and benefcent in
tenuons of the Government of the United
ton that the commissioners may be re-
ceved in manner due t6 honored and
authorized representatives of the Ameri-
can Government duly accredited on ac-
count of their skill and integrity. bear
ers Of good will and Of the richest bless
ings of a liberating rather than con-
QuerinS nation"
The record shows that on the 4th OF
May, 1899, President Schurman. of the
commission, notified Secretary Hay of a
cessation of hostilities in order to get a
vote from the insursent Congress in
favor Of autonomy. to which Secretary
Hay replied as follows:
"You are authorized to propose that
under the military power OF the Presi-
dent, pending the action of Congress. the
government of the Philippines shalI con-
sist of a Governor-Genera appointed BY
the President, a Cabinet appointed by
the Governor-General,a general advis-
orv council elected by the people, the
qualifications of electors to be carefully
Considered and determined. and the Gov
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