The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-24
TIE GOVERNMENT THEY ASK,
This Will be Given the Filipinos, Says
Schurman.

Chicago, Feb 23.-Prcsident Schurman,
Of Cornell University, and former heaa
of the Philippine Commission, delivered
an address before the student oody Of
the Armour Institute today, N which he
foreoasted the report and recommen Ia
tons of the Commission soon to he pub
lished at Washington.
President Schurnan said that he had
recommended to the President "a govern
nent and constitution for the Philippines
identieally the same as that framed by
educated E'ilipinos, which Is practically
the governmental policy outlined by
Thomas Jefferson for the government
Of the vast territory acquired by the
Louisiana purchase. President Schnr-
man said further he was harpy to state
that President Mckinley had accepted
The recommendations and was sending
out "a second commission to put this
government in operation. ITO avoid any
mistake on the subject" said the speak
er, "the constitution drawn up by Pedro
4. Paterno. Aguinaldo's prime minister
in 1888. will he published alongside with
the constitution adopted by the ccmmis-
sion. so it may be seen the two are
identical, with only slight elaboration in
the American form This constitution
,also agrees with the request that lead
ing Filipincs have been making of us
day after day.
"The newspapers have not given pub
licity to the fact that we are to give
the Filpinos the very government they
themselves ask. but our Government is
now striking off $4,000 copies Of the re-
Tort that It may inform those who have
- -, nd ~ tt,o Ei,,d
Of government their friends the Fill
pinos, would Obtain from u.s.
Continuing, the speaker slid, that af-
ter careful study of the island tribes
he became convinced that the plan or
Great Britain i'll her government of the
Misunderstanding peace pacts with the in
dividual chiefs of the tribes---was the
most satisfactory one. The results mp
held his opinion, for in the Southern row
of islands where this policy was fol-
lowed not a gun had been fired and the
American flag had been held an honored
emblem. This policy was not adopted
in regard to the middle islands which
are inhabited by the Visayan tribe, tine
largest in the group of islands, be-
carSe Of the fact that the most pecu-
liar Of civil governments prevail there.
The influence OF spain. SAD president
Sclurlran. rermeates the entire country
ard its half million OF inhabitants.
Owing to the dominance Of Spain during
the many generations that have passed
chieft'ins hJve disappeared and the
great population is left leaderless by the
removal of Spanish rule. There are no
chiefs in this portion of the country
with whom the commission could have
begun operation to affect a peace pact
Just now it would be as much as their
lives are worth for the srltives to come
forward and accept the government offer
ed; for the Tagals. having taken away
their arms. would come from the north
and in ambush assassinate ma1y 1t is
cnly this fear that keeps the Visayan
tribe from unanimously and voluntarily
becoming the active ally of the United
States.
President Schurman slaid he did not
make this statement in regard to the
government of the Philippines in his
address yesterday, because he did nor
deem it in keeping with the celebration
Of Washington. inasmuch as the gov
ernmental policy Of Thomas jefferson is
involved in its exposition.