The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-12-06

where our flag rightfully floats, placing,
to that end; at the disposal of the army
and navy all the means which the liber-
atty of the congress and the people have
provided. No contrary expression of the
will of the congress having been made, 1
have steadfastly pursued the purpose so
declared, employing the civil arm as we'll
| 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. 10. 1898. concluded with
these words:
This city, its inhabitants, its churches
and religious worship, its educational es-
adjustments, and its private property 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-
cation rests upon the government of the
United States to give protection for prop
erty and life, civil and religious freedom,
and wise, firm and unselfish guidance in
peope OF he to
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 tina
through their labors all the inhabitants
of the Philippine islands may come to
look back with gratitude to the day when
God gave victory to American arms at
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
| 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
our control and thus .eay the confer
ment upon them of the fuller measures
OF local self-government, of education and
OF industrial and agricultural develop
ment which we stand ready to give to
| them.
BY the spring of this year the effective
the authorityrof the United States was
virtually ended thus opening the door for
the extension of a stable administration
over much of the territory Of the archi-
pelago. Desiring to bring this about,
appointed in March last civil commits
| sion composed of William III. Taft of
Michigan. Luke E. Wright of Tennessee.
Henry G. Ide of Vermont and Professor
Bernard Moses of California.
| PROGRESS TOWARD PEACE.
Colncldentally with the entrance of the
commission upon its labors / caused to
be issued by Gen. Macarthur, the milf
tary governor Of the Philippines on June
q, l9oO, proclamation OF amnesty in
E ina,,naata terms, Of which many of the
| 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 long and intelligent service
IN educational, administrative and judi
cial careers. made great progress from
the outset. As carly as Aug. 81, 1900, it
submitted preliminary report, which
VIII be laid before the congress. and from
| which it appears that already the good
effects of returning order are felt; that
business, interrupted by thostilii 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
ism rule; that economy and efficiency in
the military administration have Great
ed a surplus fund of S6,0Oo,0O0, available
for needed public improvements; that a
4 stringent civil service law is in prepara-
ton; that railroad communications are
| expanding, opening up rich districts. and
| that a 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 t Upon every division s and IN, branch
therefore must be imposed three inviol-
able rules:
THAT no person shall be deprived OF
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
to speedy and public trial. to be in
formed of the nature and cause of the
accusation, to 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 bali
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: thai
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 6
punishment for crime; that no bill of at
tainer or ex-post facto law shall be pass
ed; that no law shall be passed nbridgins
the freedom of speech or of the press oil
the rights of the people to peaceably as
semble and petition the government fol
redress of grievances: that no law shall
religion or prohibiting the free exercis,
thereof. and that the free exercise anG
enjoyment of religious profession ane
worship without discrimination or PREF
erence shall forever be allowed"
RULES AS TO LAND AND CHURCH
1t will be the duty of the commission
to mako thorough investigation into tn,
titles to the large tracts of land held o.
claimed by individuals or by religious or
complaints made against such landhold
ers by the people of the island or any
part of the people, and to seek by wis
and peaceable measures just settle
ment of the controversies and redress O
wrongs which have caused strife ant
bloodshed in the past. In the perform
ance of this duty the commission is en-
Joined to see that no injustice is done
equity, disregarding technicalities so ia
as substantial right permits, and to OBJ
serve the following rules:
That the PROVISION Of the treaty Q
protection of all rights of property in tn
islands, and as well the principle of on
, own government which prohibits the tax
ing Of private property without due proc
welfare of the people of the islands
, which should be a paramount consider
? alton, shall be attained consistently witt
comes necessary for the public interest @
the people of the islands dispose Of claim
to property which the commission find
, to be not lawfully acquired and held, dis
position shall be made thereof by du
legal procedure. in which there shall b
full opportunity for fair and impartia
hearing and judgment: that If the sam
public interests require. the extinguish
ment Of property rights lawfully acquire
; and held due compensation shall be mad
out of the public treasury therefor; tina
no form of religion and no minister O
9 lmunity or upon any citizen of the islands
that. upon the other hand. no minister q
religion shall be interfered with or mo
Tested in following his calling. and tina
re fJNtr Fatr