The sun., 1900-09-18

status of the native inhabitants of the Terri 4
tories hereby ceded to the United States
shall be determined by the Congress-
Eleven days thereafter, on Dec. n, the fol
lowing direction was given to the command
er of our forces in the Philippines:
'.rhe 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
severing the former political relations of the
Inhabitants and in establishing new polit-
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 WIN
be,the duty of the commander of the forces
of occupation to announce and proclaim III
the most public manner that we come not
as Invaders or conquerors, but as friends. 70 |
protect the natives in their homes, In their |
employments and III their personal ana re-
lgious rights"
Sent n Commission.
In order TO facilitate the most humane
paciic and effective extension OF authority
Throughout these Islands, and TO secure Win
the least possible delay, the dement's OF
( wise and generous protection or Ire anu
property to the inhabitants. l appointed IA
January, 1899, commission consisting ot
Jacob Gould Schurman OF New Aofk, Au-
Iniral George Dewey, u 5. NJ tharles
DENLY Of Indiana, Professor Dean = Nor-
cester of Michigan, and Major General Nj
well s. Otis, U. S. A. Their INSTRUCTIONS
contained the following:
nf
missioncrs are enjoined TO meet at the
earliest possible day in the city OF MahlNa'
and to announce by public proclamation
their presence and the mission intrnsted 10
them, carefully setting forth that. while the
military government already proclaimed Is
10 he maintained and continued so long as
necessity may require, efforts will be naue
10 alleviate the burden OF taxation. to esfan-
fish Industrial and commercial prospeHl,y.
and TO provide for the safety of persenS ana
Of property by such means as may he fouha
conducive to these ends.
Given Careful Instructions.
.The commissioners will endeavor. with
ont interference with the military authofl-
lies of the United States now in control OF
the philippines. to ascertain what amehora
tiou in the condition of the inhabitants ana
what improvements In public order may pe
practicable, and for this purpose they VIII
study attentlvely the existing soclai anu po
litical state of the various populations, par
ticularly as regards the forms OF local gov
ernment, the administration OF Justlee' M
collection of customs and other taxes tn'
means Of transportation, and the need o
publjc improvements. They Will repor
the results of their observations ah'
Supl pXpeu
tive action as may from time to time seen
to them wise and useful.
The commissioners are hereby au'horize
Ia confer authorltatiyely with any person.
resident in the islands from whom they ma
believe themselves able to derive informa
fion or suggestions valuable for the pul
poses of their commission, or whom the
may choose to employ as agents as may
necessary for this purpose.
Avoided Harsh Measures.
SIT is my desire that In all their relation
with the inhabitants of the islands the con
missioners exercise due respect Tor al y
ideals, customs and institutions OF the trln'
which compose the population, emphnsizil
upon all occasions the just and bencfcent
tentions of the government of the Chlt'
States
1T is also lily Ninu dhh NApSh'"''S'1 80
the commissioners may he received in
manner due to the honored and authoriz
representatives of the American Repub
duly commissioned on account Of tht
knowledge, skill and integrity ms bearers
The good WILL the protection and the richie
blessings of a liberating rather than Il q
querlng nation"
On the 9Th of February, 1899 the trea
was ratified by the Senate Of the luit
States and the Congress Immediately
propriated S20, 200 to carry out Its p
Visions The ratfcations We're eSchang
by the United States and Spain on the i
of April, 1890.
As early as April. 1880, the Phillip
commission, Of which Dr. Schurinan v
president, endeayored to bring about PEE
In the islands by repeated conferences W
leading Tagalogs representing the so,cal
insurgent government, TO the end illat so
general plan Of government might be olfr
them which they would accept.
Pleased the Natives.
So great was the satisfaction Of the in'
gent commissioners with the form OF
ernment proposed by the American G
missioners that the latter submitted
proposed scheme TO me for approval, ana
action thereon is SnOWu ~ tuc 'AuiN
sage following:
MAY 5, 1899. Schnrman. Manila; ~
sth received. You are authorized to prol
that, under the military power OF the II
dent. pending action of Congress. GOV
ment Of the philippine Islands shall col
of governor generals appointed lW
President, cabinet appointed by the GOV
or general, a general advisory council Q
ed by the people, the qualifications of g
ors to be carefully considered anu az
mined and the governor general to have
solutc veto. Judiciary strong anu
pendent, principal judges appointed by
President. The cabinet and judges =
chosen from natives Americans, OF !
having regard 10 fitness.
.'The President earnestly desires the G
,fon of bloodshed and that the people o.
philippine Islands at an early late
have the largest measure Of local sell
ernment consistent with peace ana
order.
Signs of Treachery.
In the latter part of May another
of representatives came from the insn
H.