The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1900-09-21


tories hereby ceded to the United States
shall be determined by the Congress"
Eleven days thereafter. on Dec. q, the fol-
lowing direction was given to the command
er of our forces In the Philippines:
"The military commander Of the United
States is enjoined to make known to the In
habitants Of the Philippine Islands that, In
succeeding to the sovereignty of Spain, In
severlng the former political relations Of the
Inhabitants and In establishing new pollt-
ical power. the authority Of the United
States Is to be exerted for the securing Of
the persons and property Of the people of
the Islands and for the confirmation OF all
their private rights and relations. 1t VIII
be the duty of the commander Of the forces
of occupation to announce and proclaim In
the most pabllc manner that we come not
as Invaders or conquerors, but as friends, to
protect the natives In their homes, In their
employments and In their personal and re-
ligious rights"
Sent a Commission.
In order to facilitate the most humane,
pacific and effective extension OF authority
Throughout these islands, and to secure with
the least possible delay, the benefits OF
wise and generous protection Of life ana
property to the inhabitants, appointed IN
January, 1890, commission consisting Oh
Jacob Gould schurman of New York, Ad-
miral George Dewey, U. s. N; Charies
DENLY Of Indiana, Professor Dean Z. wor-
cester Of Michigan. and Major General FL
well s. Otis, U. S. A. Their INSTRUCTIONS
contained the following:
"In the performance Of this duty the COM
misslouers are enjoined to meet at the
earliest possible day In the city OF Manila
and to announce by public proclamation
their presence and the mission tntrusted 10
them carefully setting forth that. whie tne
military government already proclaimed III
TO be maintained and continued SO long as
necessity may require, efforts VIII De maue
IN alleviate the burden Of taxation to estaD-
iisb industrial and commercial prosperity,
and to provide for the safety OF persons ana
of property by such means as may be round
conducive to these ends.
Given Careful Instructions.
"Tbe commissioners will endeavor, with
out Interference with the military authori-
ties of the United States now In controi vi
the Philippines, to ascertain what ameiora
ton in the condition Of the inhabitants ana
what improvements In public order may De
practicable, and for this purpose they Will
study attentively the existing social and po
ltlcal state of the various populations, par
ticularly as regards the forms Of local gov
ernment the administration Of justice. the
collection Of customs and other taxes tne
means Of transportation. and the need VI
public improvements. They VIII repor'
the results Of their observations ant
reflections, and will recommend such execu
tive action as may from time to time seen
TO them wise and useful.
..rhe commissioners are hereby authorized
TO confer authorltatively with any persons
resident In the islands from whom they may
believe themselves able to derive informa
tion or suggestions valuable Tor the pur
noses of their commission, or wnom tnes
NAV choose to employ as agents, as may p'
necessary for this purpose.
Avoided Harsh Measures.
aft is my desire that in all their relations
with the inhabitants of the Islands the com
mlssIoners exercise due respect for all I'M
idcols. customs and institutions OF the tribes
which compose the population, emphasizing
upon all occasions the just and benehcent IN
tentions of the government Of the United
States.
..It is also my wish and expectation thai
the commissioners may be received IN
manner due to the honored and authorized
representatives of the American Repuoiic
duly commissioned on account OF thei
knowledge. skill and integrity as bearers
the good will, the protection and the riches
blessings of liberating rather than con
querlpg nation"
On the 9th Of February. 1899, the treat!
was ratified by the Senate Of the unite'
States, and the Congress Immediately ap
propriated $4,000, 900 to carry out Its pro
visions. The Publications were exchanged
Inv the United States and Spain on the It'll
of April, 1899.
As early as April, 1899, the Philippin
commission, of which DR.. Schurman wa
president, endeavored to bring about peac
In the islands by repeated conferences VIII
leading TagaIogs representing the so-caile'
insurgent government, to the end that som
general plan Of government might be offere'
them which they would accept.
Pleased the Natives
So great was the satisfaction Of the insur
gent commissioners with the form OF gov
eminent proposed by the American com
mlssioners that the latter submitted tn
nroposed scheme to me for approval and m!
ucrion thereon Is shown by the cable mes
sage following:
May 5, 1899. Schurman, Manila: Your
4th received. You are authorized to propos
that, under the military power OF the Pres
dent, pending action Of Congress, govern
ment Of the Philippine Islands shall consis
OF a governor general appointed by tn
President, cabinet appointed by the govern
or general, a general advisory council elect
ed by the people. the qualifications of elect
ors to be carefully considered and deter
mined, and the governor general to have al
solute veto. Judiciary strong and inds
pendent, principal judges appointed by th
President. The cabinet and judges to b
chosen from natives or Americans, or both
having regard to ntness-
The President earnestly desires the cesss
tIon Of bloodshed and that the people OF th
Philippine Islands at an early date sha
have the largest measure Of local self-go'
ernment consistent with peace and goo
order.