Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-12-06
THE PHILIPPINES.
Outlines work of the Commission ami
recommends LeEislution.


In my last annual message I dwelt at
some length upon the condition OF af-
fairs in the Philippines. W lille seeking
to impress upon You that the grave re-
SpOnSlDility oil the future government OF
those islands rests with the congress of
the United States | abStained from rec
ommendin8 at that time a specific and
fnal form OF government Tor the terri
tory actually held by the United States
forces and in which, as long as insur-
rection continues, the military arm must
necessarily be supreme. | State1 n'E pur-
pose, until the congress shall F..te made
known the formal eXprcssioa g. Us will,
to use the authority vested in :" by the
constitution and the statutes TO uphold
the sovereignty of the United States in
those distant islands as in all other places
where our flag rightfully floats, placing,
and navy all the means which the lib
crafty of the congress and the people
of the will of the congress having been
made, | have steadfastly pursued the pur-
pose SO declared employing the civil arm
as well toward the accomplishment Of
paciflcation and the institution OF local
governments within the lines of author
1ty and law.
We Are Making Progress.
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
order and administrative regularity to ali
quarters. What opposition remains is for
the most part scattered, obeying no con-
certed plan of strategic action, operating
only by the methods common to the traL-
ditonS OF guerrilla warfare. which, while
ineteetive TO alter the general control
now established, are still sufficient to
beget insecurity among the populations
that have felt the good results of our
control, and thus delay the cOnferment
upon them of the fullest measures of
local selt-Government, of education. and
of industrial and agricultural develop
them
BY the sprtng of this year the effective
opposition of the dissatisfied Tagals to
virtually ended. thus opening the door
Tor the extension of a stable admins
the archipelago. Desiring to bring this
about. appointed in March last a civil
commission composed of Hon. William
III. Taft, of Ohio; Prof. Dean G. Worcester
of Michigan: Hon. Luke f. Wright of Ten
nessee; Hon, Henry c. Ide, of Vermont,
and Prof. Bernard Moses, Of California.
me aims of their mission and the scope
Of their authority are clearly set forth
IN my instructions of April I, 1900, ad-
dressed to the secretary of war to be
transmitted to them.
IN the message transmitted to the con-
gresS on the 9TH Of December, 1859. said,
speaking of the Philippine islands:
As long as the insurreCtion continues
the military arm must necessarily be SUI
preme. But there is no reason why steps
should not be taken from time to time to
inaugurate governments essentially popu-
lar IN their form as fast territory is held
and controlled by our troops. To this end
am considering the ACCESSIBILITY Of the re-
turn 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"
The Philippine Commission.
TO give effect to the intention thus ex-
pressed, have appointed Hon. William II.
Taft, of Ohio Prof. Dee n c. Worcester, of
Michigan; Hon, Luke +, Wright, of Ten
nessee; Hon. Henry c. Ide, of Vermont.
and Prof. Bernard Moses, of California
commissioners TO the Philippine islands to
continue and perfect the work of organic
ing and establishing civil government al
ready commenced by the military author
tiles. subject in all respects to any laws
which congress may hereafter enact.
The commissioners named will meet and
act as a board and Hon. William H. Taft
is designated as president of the board. 1t
is probable that the transfer of authority
from military commanders to civil officers
will be gradual and will occupy consider
able period. Its successful accomplishment
and the maintenance of peace and order in
the meantime will require the most perfect
cooperation between the civil and military
authorities in the island and both should
be directed during the transition period
by the same executive department. The
commission will therefore report to the
secretary of war, and all their action will
be subject to your approval and control.
You will instruct the commission to pro-
coed to the city of Manila. where they will
make their principal office, and to com
municate with the military governor of the
Philippine islands, whom you will at the
same time direct to render to them every
assistance within his power in the per-
Torrance Of their duties. Without ham
pering them by too specific instructions,
they should in general be enjoined, after
making themselves familiar with the con-
,ditions and needs of the country, to devote
their attention in the first instance to the
establishment of municipal governments
in which the natives of the islands, both in
the cities ard in the rural communities
shall be afforded the opportunity to man
age their own local affairs to the fullest
extent of which they are capable and sub
ject to the least degree of supervision anG
control which a careful study Of their ca
pacities and observation of the workings
of native control show to be consistent
with the maintenance of law, order ant
loyalty.
To Organize Government.
The next subject in order of Importance
should be the organization of government
in the larger administrative divisions cor
responding to counties, departments, OF
nroyinces, in which the common interest:
of many or several municipalities falling
within the same tribal lines, or the same
natural geographical limits, may best bt
subserved by common a6ministra ton
Whenever the commission is of the opinion
that the condition of affairs in the island:
is such that the central administration may
safely be transferred from military to civi
control they will report that conclusion t.
YOU with their recommendations as to tn,
form of central government to be esta b
lished for the purpose of taking over thu
control
her $500 the authority to exercise subjec
to nv approval, through the secretary o
war, that part of the power of governmen