The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1900-09-28

tories hereby ccued TO the united states
shall be determined by the Congress"
Eleven days thereafter on Dec. ~, the fol
lowing direction was given to the command
er of our forces In the Philippines:
1.-The military commander OF the United
States IL enjoned to make known to the in
habltants 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
teal power, the authority OF the United
States Is to be exerted for the securing or
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 public manner that we come not
as invaders or cOnquerors but rs friends, TO
protect the natives In their homes, in their
employments and In their personal and re-
ligous rights"
Sent a Commission.
In order to facilitate the most humane,
pacific and effective extension of authority
through ut these ISLANDS, and to ecure, WI II
the least possible delay, the benefits of
wise and generous protection OF life ana
property to the inhabitants. | appointed In
January, 1892 n commission consisting OF
Jacob Gould Schurman of New York, Ad-
nral George Dewey, U. 5. N; Charles
DENLY OF Indiana, Professor Dean c. Wor-
cestcr of Michigan, and Major General I'll
well s. Otis, U. 5. a. Their instructions
contained the following:
''In the performance of this duty the com
mssioncrs are 'enjoined to meet Mt the
earliest possible day In the city or Manila
and to announce by public proclamation
their presence and the mission lntrusted TO
them. carefully setting forth that, while the
military government already proclaimed Is
70 be maintained and continued so long as
necessity may require, efforts will be made
70 alleviate the burden Of taxation, TO estab-
fish industrial and commercial prosperity,
and to provide for the safety of persons ana
OF property by such means as may be found
conducive to these ends.
Given Careful Instructions.
1.-THE commissioners will endeavor, with
out Interference with the military authorl'
ties Of the United States now In control "i
The philippincs to ascertain what amcliora-
ton ia the condition of the inhabitants ANA
what improvements in public order may DC
practicable, and for this purpose they will
study attentvely the existing social ana po-
lltica state OF the various populations, par
ticulnrly rs regards the forms Of local gov
ernmcnt the administration CT justice, the
collection Of customs and other taxes. the
means OF transportation. and the need OF
public improvements. They will report
the results of their observations ana
reflections, and will recommend such cxecu-
tive action as may from time to time seem
to them wise and useful.
1.-THE commissioners are hereby authorized
to confer authoritatively with any persons
resident in the islands from whom they may
believe themselves able to derive informa-
ton or suggestions valuable for the pur
poses Of their commission, or whom they
may choose to employ as agents, as may be
necessary for this purpose.
Avoiled Harsh Measures.
at Is my desire that in all their relations
with the inhabitants of the Islands the com
missiouers exercise due respect for all the
ideals. customs and institutions Of the tribes
which compose the population, emphasizing
upon all occasions the Just and benefcent in
tentions of the government Of the United
States.
at Is also my wish and expectation that
the commissioners may be received In n
manner due to the honored and authorized
representatives Of the American Republic,
duly commissioned on account of their
knowledge, skill and integrity as bearers Of
the good will. the protection and the richest
blessings of n liberatlng rather than con
quering nation"
HsI. ,f I-n1, ln fsg n 4
was ratified by the Senate of the United
States, and the Congress Immediately mp
proprintcd $2O,oOO,0O0 to carry out its pro
visions. The Publications were exchanged
by the United States and Spain on the nth
of April, 1890.
AS early as April. 1892 the philippine
commission, OF which DIR. Schurman was
president endeayored TO bring about peace
in the islands by repeated conferences with
leading Tagalogs representing the so-called
insurgent government to the end that some
general plan of government might be offered
them which they would accept.
Pleased the Natives.
So great was the satisfaction of tho insur-
gent commissioners with the form of gov
eminent proposed Ivy the American com
missioncrs that the latter submitted the
proposed scheme to me for approval and my
action thereon Is shown Ivy the cable mes
sage following:
MAY :, 1890. Schurman, Manila: Yours
4th received. You are authorized to propose
that, under the military power OF the Presi
dent, pending action of Congress. govern
ment Of the Philippine Islands shall consist
Of governor general appointed by tho
President, cabinet appointed by the govern
or general Il general advisory council elect
ed by the people. the qualifications Of elect
ors TO I've carefully considered and deter
mined. and the governor general to have ali
soutc veto. Judiciary strong and indie
pendent. principal judges appointed by the
President. The cabinet and Judges 10 Dc
chuscu from natives or Americans, or both
having regard 10 iitncss.
"The President earnestly desires tie cessa
tion Of bloOdshed aud that the people OF the
Philippine Islands at an early date shall
have the largest measure of local self gov
eminent consistent With peace and good
order.
sigma of Treachery.