The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-06
RELATIONS TO PHILIPPINES.
CORRESPONDENTS SENT TO CON-
GRESS BY PRESIDENT.

Features Which Have Not Hereto
fore Been Made PubIic-Otis' Proc
Iamatiop Was Not DisRpproved.
Instructions Sent to Gen. Merritt.
What the Philippine Commission
Was Told to DO-TempOrary Gov
eminent Was offered.
Washington. March 5.-The President
sent to the Senate to-day the correspond
ence called for by a resolution of Senator
Hoar asking for information relative to
the action of the executive and his subor-
dinates in the Philippines.
1t is a very voluminous record, contain
ing much that has already been made pub
lie, and includes instructions by the Pres
ident proclamadons by the Philippine
Commission and Gen. Otis and reports OF
officers in the Philippines. Referring TO
Gen. OTIS proclamation the President
says:
mo disapproval of the said proclama-
ton was expressed by my authority or
that of the war department. 1t was in
fact, approved by me, although no formal
communication to that effect was sent to
Gen. OTIS"
Included in the correspondence of last
October between Gen Macarthur ana
Aguinaldo's representatives, Gen. Am
brosio Flores, in regard TO the delivery
of sick Spanish prisoners, is protest
against what he terms the suspicious
ness of the Americans. He says:
THE treatment awarded necessarily
corresponds with our political condition"
adding that in the name of a soldierly
honor I protest against such suspicion as
we have never resorted to indirect means
in order TO wrest by artifice the recogni-
ton of our beloved Independence"
A cablegram from General Corbin,
dated Nov. 10, indorses General Otis
course in the matter of the Spanish pris-
| oners. He says:
The letters of the insurgents imply
threat Unless you see strong reason to
the contrary, notify Aguinaldo that he
and his advisers will be held personally re-
sponsibie for any injury done to Spanish
or American prisoners in violation of the
laws ard usages of war among civilized
nations"
Instructions 10 Merritt.
The instructions to Gen. Merritt are also
transmitted, but not those 60 Gen. Ous,
which the report says We're given in cl-
pher. The Instructions from the Presi-
DENT TO Gen Merritt, May 49, 1898 direct
the issuance of "a proclamation saying mat
I'VE come not 10 make war upon the peo-
pie of the Philippines, nor upon any party
or faction among them, but 10 protect
them in their homes. in their empioyments
and in their personal and religious rites
All persons who either by active aid or
| by honest admission cooperate with the
limited States in its efforts 30 give effect
to this beneficeut purpose Will receive the
reward of its support and protection. our
occupation should be as free from seVerl-
ty as possible"
The Presidents instructions to the
Philippine Commission of Jan. 90 1899, are
given in full. The peace treaty had no.
then been ratified, but the President eX-
| pressed the opinion that it would be the
| time of the arrival of commissioners at
| Manila"
After referring 10 the fact that the tenn
| porary government of the islands IS en-
! trusted to the military authorities and au-
thorizing a. proclamation the President
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 rec
concentrations the measures which should
! be Instituted for the maintenance OF order
peace and public welfare.
IL is my desire that in all their rela-
! tions with the Inhabitants of the Philip
! nine Islands the commissioners exercise
| due respect for all the IDEAS, customs ana
| institutions of the tribes and races whIch
| conpose the population, emphasizing upon
! all occasions the just and benehcent lnten-
/ tions of The government of me United
/ States. 1t is also my wish ana eNDectA-
1 ton that the commissioners may ne re-
| ceived in a manner due 10 the honored ana
/ authorized representatives OF the Amer-
! can republic, duly commissioned on ac-
/ count of their know edge, skill and lnteg-
! rftv as bearers of the good will, me pro-
/ lection and the richest blessings of a hb-
! Grating. rather than conquernS, ma
| ton"
The Government Proposed.
The record shows that on the 4th Of
| Nav. 1899. President Schurman, of the
| commission. notified Secretary Hay of a
| cessation of hostilites in order 10 get a
| vote from the insurgent Congress in fa-
| vor of autonomy. TO which Secretary HAY
replied as follows:
| "You are authorized TO propose that
under the military power of the President,
pending the action of Congress, govern
ment of the Philippines shall consist OF a
governor general appointed by the. Presl-
! don't a cabinet appointed by the governor
general. general advisory council elected
! Nv the peope, the qualifications of cleo
tors TO be carefully considered and deter
mined and the governor general to have
absolute Veto