New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-06
THE PRESIDENTS ANSWER
INFORMATION REGARDING HIS PHIL
IPPINE POLICY SENT TO
THE SENATE.


IPPINE POLICY SENT TO
THE SENATE
Washington, March 5.-The President sent to
the Senate to-day the correspondence called for
by resolution of Senator Hoar asking for in
formation relative to the action Of the Executive
and his subordinates in the Philippines. 1t is
a voluminous record, containing much that has
already been made public, and includes instruc-
tions by the President, proclamations by the
Philippine Commission and General Otis and re-
ports of officers in the Philippines
The Presidents letter of transmittal recites
the resolution in detail. and specifies the COM
nunications forwarded. These are placed In
eight groups. and include ali communications
from Aguinaldo or his associates addressed to
the President or any executive officer of the
Government; instructions relating to proc
lamation sent to General Otis and the Generals
proclamation; copies of TRANSACTIONS of consti-
tutions. ETC., promulgated by Aguinaldo; copies
of the Presidents instructions to the Philippines
Commission; such information has been re-
ceived relating to uprisings of the Filipinos:
information concerning the treatment OF pris-
oners or other inhabitants of the islands by the
insurgents; also such information as mas been
received "as to aid encouragement received
by Aguinaldo and his followers from persons
in the United States; as to what pamphlets,
speeches or other documents emanating in the
United States and adverse to its authority and
its policy circulated in whole or In part
among the Filipinos in arms against the United
States among other inhabitants of the island
or among the soldiers of the United States"
Referring to General Otiss proclamation, the
President says: mo disapproval of the said
proclamation expressed by my authority
or that OF the War Department. 1t was, in fact,
approved by me, although formal communi-
cation to that effect sent to General Otis"
TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.
Included in the correspondence Of last Oc-
tober between General Macarthur and General
Ambrose Flores, in regard to the delivery of
sick Spanish prisoners, is a protest against
what General Flores terms the "susplciousness"
of the Americans He says that "the treatment
awarded necessarily corresponds with our po-
litical condition. adding:
In the name of soldierly honor 1 protest
against such suspicion. as we have never re-
sorted to indirect means in order to wrest by
artifce the recognition of our beloved indie
pendence.
A cable dispatch from General Corbin is
given, dated November 10 indorsing General
Otis's course in the matter of the Spanish
prisoners. He says
The letters of the insurgents imply threat
notify Aguinaldo that he and his advisers will
be held personally responsible for any injury
done to Spanish or American prisoners in viola
ton of the la US and usages of war among
civilized nations.
In the second batch of papers General Otis's
proclamation of January f. 1899, and General
Merritts proclamation of August il, 1895 are
given.
The instructions to General Merritt are also
transmitted, but not those to General Otis.
which. the report says, were given in cipher
The instructions from the President to General
Merritt on May %, $685. direct the issuance
Of a proclamation saying:
We come not to make war upon the people of
the Philippines, 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 persons who, either by
active aid or by honest admission, cooperate
with the United States in its efforts to give
effect to this benefcent purpose will receive the
reward of its support and protection. Our oc-
cupation should be as free from severity as
possible.
INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMISSIONERS.
The Presidents instructions to the Philip
pine Commission January 90 1890 are given
in full The Peace Treaty had not then been
ratified, but the President expressed the opinion
that 1t would be "by the time Of the arrival of
the Commissioners at Manila" After referring
TO the fact that the temporary government of
the island Is Entrusted to the military authOri-
ties, and authorizing proclamation. the Presi-
dent says:
The Commission may render valuable services
by examining with special care the legislative
needs of the various groups of inhabitants and
by reporting, with recommendations, the meas
ures which should be instituted for the main
tenance of order, peace and public welfare.
1t is my desire that in all their relations with
the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands the
Commissioners exercise due respect for all the
ideals. customs and institutions of the tribes
and races which compose the population, en-
phasZing upon all occasions the just and benef-
cent intentions of the Government of the United
States. 1t is also my wish and expectation that
the Commissioners may be received In a man
ner due to the honored and authorized represen-
tatives of the American Republic, duly commits
stoned account of their knowledge. skill and
integrity. as bearers Of the good WILL the pro-
lection and the richest blessings Of a liberating
rather than a conquering nation.
The record shows that on May f. 1899. Pres-
dent Schurman OF the Commission informed
Secretary Hay Of cessation Of hostilities in
order to get vote from the insurgent congress
in favor of autonomy, to which Secretary Hay
replied follows:
You authorized to propose that under the
military power of the President, pending the ac-
ton of Congress, government of Philippines shall
consist of Governor General appointed by the
President, Cabinet appointed by the Governor
General. General Advisory Council elected by
the people. the qualifications of electors to be
carefully considered and determined. and the
Governor-General to have absolute Veto
OTIS REPORTS ON OPERATIONS.
LIEUTENANT JOHN B. GALLEHER DIES
FROM WOUNDS.
Washington March 5-Genera1 Otis sends +o