Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-12-13

anu IN winch as long as insurrecuoh
continues the military arm must neces-
sarily be supreme. l stated my purpose.
until the congress shall have made
known the formal expression Of Its will.
70 use the authority bested In me by the
Constitution and the statutes to uphold
the sovereignty of the United States in
those distant Islands as In all other places
w ere our nag rlshtfuliy floats; placing
and navy all the means which the liber-
atty Of the congress and the people have
provided. No contrary expression of the
VIII OF the congress having been made.
have steadfastly pursued the purpose SO
declared. employing the civil arm as well
toward the accomplishment of pacifica-
| ton and the institution of local govern
ments within the lines Of authority and
| law.
FAITH OF THE ARMY KEPT.
The articles of capitulation of the city
Of Manila on Aug. u. lsss. concluded with
This city. its inhabitants. its churches
and religious worship. its educational es-
tabishments, and Its private properly Of
all descriptions are placed under the spe-
cial safeguard OF the faith and honor of
the American army"
believe that this pledge has been faith
fully kept. As high and sacred an obli-
| United States to give protection for prop
| erty and life. civil and religious freedom
and wise, firm and unselfish guidance in
me pat on OF peace sSs ehd pTGsperty TO all
\
! charge this commission TO labor for the
full performance of this obligation which
| concerns the honor and conscience of
| their country. in the firm hope that
through their labors all the inhabitants
| of the Philippine islands may come to
| look back with gratitude to the day when
Manila and set their land under the SOW
| ereignty and the protection of the people
| Of the United States.
PEACE IS ASSURED.
Progress in the hoped-for direction has
been favorable. Our forces have sue
| cessfully controlled the greater part of
| the Islands, overcoming the organized
forces OF the insurgents and carrying or
der and administrative regularity to all
| quarters. What opposition remains Is.
| for the most part. scattered. obeying no
| concerted plan of strategic action ope-
rating only by the methods common to
the traditions of guerrilla warfare. which,
while Ineffective to alter the general con-
| troll now established. are still sufficient
TO beget insecurity among the popula-
tons that have. felt the good results Of
ment upon them Of the fuller measures
or local self-government, of education and
OF Industrial and agricultural develop
| them.
By the spring of this year the effective
| opposition of the dissatisfied Tagalas to
| virtually ended thus opening the door for
the extension OF stable administration
| over much of the territory of the archi-
peiago. Desiring to bring this about.
sion composed OF William II. Taft Of
Ohio. Professor Dean c. Worcester of
Michigan. Luke e. Wright Of Tennessee.
Henry c. Ide of Vermont and Professor
Bernard Moses OF California.
PROGRESS TOWARD PEACE.
Coinctdentslly with the entrance of the
commission upon its labors I caused to
De issued by Gen; Macarthur, the mill
sary governor of the Philippines. on June
u 1900. proclamation OF amnesty in
generous terms. of which many of the
insurgents took advantage. among them
a number OF important leaders.
This commission. composed of eminent
citizens representing the diverse geo.
graphical and political interests of the
country, and bringing to their task the
ripe fruits of ioug and intelligent service
in educational, administrative and Judi
clal careers, made great progress from
the outset. As early as Aug. q. 1900, Il
submitted a preliminary report. which
viii be laid before the congress. and from
which 1t appears that already the good
effects OF returning order are felt: that
business, interrupted by hostili les. is i'm
proving as peace extends: that a larger
area Is under sugar cultivation than ever
before: that the customs revenues are
greater than at any time dur ng the Span
ish rule; that economy and efficiency IN
the military administration have Great
ed surplus fund of 5000. 600 available
for needed public improvements: that a
stringent civil service law is in prepsra-
ton; that railroad communications are
expanding. opening up rich districts. and
that q comprehensive scheme of educa-
ton Is being organized.
THREE RULES TO BE INvIoLABLE.
1t Is evident that the most enlightened
thought OF the Philippine Islands fully
appreciates the importance OF these prin-
ciples and rules, and they will inevitably
within a short time command universal
| assent. Upon every division and branch
OF the government of the Philippines
therefore must be imposed three inviol-
able rules:
| life. liberty or property without due proc
| ess of law; that private property shall
| not be taken for public use without just
compensation: that In all criminal prose-
| cutions the accused shall enjoy the right
| to speedy and public trial. to be in
| formed of the nature and cause of the
accusation. 10 be confronted with the wit
nesses against him, to have compulsory
process for obtaining witnesses in his
| favor and to have the assistance Of coun-
| sci for his defense; that excessive bail
| shall not be required. nor excessive fines
imposed. nor cruel and unusual punish
| ment inflicted; that no person shall be
put twice In jeopardy for the same Of
Tense. or be compelled In any criminal
case to be witness against himself: that
| the right to be secure against unreason-
| able searches and seizures shall not be
violated; that neither slavery nor invol-
untary servitude shall exist except as a
| punishment for crime: that no bill of at
| tainer or ex-post facto law shall be pass
| ed: that no law shall be passed itbridg ng
| the freedom of speech or OF the press or
the rights Of the people to peac ,abiy as
| semble and petition the government for
a redress Of grievances; that no law shall
he made respecting an establishment of
| religion or prohibiting the free exercise
| thereof. and that the free exercise and
| enjoyment of religious profession and
| worship without discrimination or pref
| erence shall forever be allowed"
|
Ii will be the duty of the commission
to make thorough investigation into the
| titles to the large tracts Of land held or
claimed by individuals or by religious or
ders. into the justice OF the claims and
| complaints made against such Iandh Old
ers by the people Of the island or any
| part OF the people. and to seek by wise
and peaceable measures just settle
ment OF the controversies and redress OF
wrongs which have caused strife and
| bloodshed In the past. In the perform
ance OF this duty the commission Is en-
Joined to see that no injustice is done:
to have regard for substantial rights and
| equity. disregarding technicalities so far
as substantial right permits. and to OBJ
| serve the following rules:
THAT the provision of the treaty of
| Paris pledging the United States to the
| protection Of all rights Of property In the
Islands and as well the principle of our
| own government which prohibits tho TAX
| ing of private property without due proc
ess of law, snail not be violated; that the
welfare of the people Of the isla nds,
| which should be a paramount consider
alton, shall be attained consistently with
| this rule CT property right: that II II be-
| comes necessary for the public interest of
| the people OF the islands dispose Of claims
to property which the commission finds
| 10 be not lawfully acquired and held, d s.
| position shall be made thereof by due
| legal procedure, In which there shall be
| full opportunity for fair and impa rtial
hearing and judgment: that II the same
| public interests require the extinguish-
| ment OF property rights lawfully acquired
! and held due compensation shall be made
out OF the public treasury therefor; that
| no form OF religion and no minister of
religion shall be forced upon any COM