New-York tribune., 1900-09-18
THE PHILIPPINE POLICY
PRESIDENTS INSTRUCTIONS
TO TAFT COMHKSSION
CIVIL SELF-GovERNMENT AIMED At
Personal RIGHTS AND LIBERTY
OF NATIVES GUARANTEED
TBv TErBeRAPH 70 THE TRIBUNE

sr~I :. 1900 were made public TO-DAY 7-te,-
were addressed 10 the Secretary Of War ~
on april l. formally communicated then, -
President Taft
careful perusal Of these Instructions Will
satisfy and convince any intelligent and faf~
minded person that TIE Administration bss d.
dear and well defined Philippine policy The
ain y which is 70 transfer TO the Fflipiros . .
IA and as rapidly as they are prepared 70 as
su1e them. the responsibilities as well as tba
privileges q selt-goveTnnlent i is fair 70 as
sun,s thzr municipal governments have already
reer established and put in operation in 1orali-
-es which have shown that they were prepared
ar the first step II seIf-government and that
-he way : being cleared for the next step.
since the frst day Of the present month legis-
rs-ive power in the Philippines has been lodged
II and exercised by civil instead CT military au-
-ho-.cas. The jurisdiction and authority Of the
Military Governor and The Philippine Commfs-
son are row, therefore. virtually the same as
-hcse exercised in the early days Of the Auaeri-
car Republic by the Governor Of the North
west Territory and his Council. OF the Governor
Il Louisiana and his Council. under President
washington and President Jefferson.
i WILL be noted that the administration. con
+-ol and supervision u ae exercised by the Mill
rz-y Governor are strictly defined and confined
within the -ar-oUest limits consistent with the
.srarce cf individual freedom. The military
f5rc=s are also subject 70 the call OF the civu
sutho-.-5es for the maintenance Of law and
a-5e- and me enforcement Of their authority
ne same as The militia Of z STATE or Territory
IS subject 70 the call Of The Governor thereof
tor Ike PURPOSES
!, VII also be noted that provision has been
made fC- . careful and just distribution Of gov
s---entaI powers among the municipal and de-
us-t-er-a- governments, So that the centra.
government q the Islands shall have no direct
administration except Of matters Of purely gen
era concern. and shall exercise only such con
-rol ever The municipal governments as shall
bs necessary 70 secure and enforce faithful and
ezc.=-r ad-lt1lsrration by local officers
While t1= many different degrees Of cfviIiza-
ti1- are fully recognized, Two general rules are
ro d observed First, al the municipal officers
who administer the local affairs Of the people
are &c Be chosen by the people. second. wherever
officers az more EXTENDED jurisdiction are 10 be
selected II any manner. natives OF the Islands
are 70 D. preferred, and T they can be found
competent s15 willing 70 perform the duties
rhev are 70 receive the Offices IN preference
u anv others
The Commission IS admontshed 70 bear n
mind rAz- he government II is establishing is
designed -or for the satisfaction Of Americans
but Tor rae happiness, peace and prosperity Of
The people of ire Philippine Islands and the
measures adopted should be made % conform
70 their customs. their habits and even their
p-eiu5ices. 70 The fullest extent consistent with
TIE accomplishment 0f the Indispensable r=-
qut-snenr II Just and effective government
A. The same tine, the people are 10 be made
70 understand that there are certain great prin-
cipIes and also certain practical rules Of gov
ernne1c which the people Of the United States
have found essential 70 the preservation OF lib
cry and law. which principles and rules must
y established and maintained IN their islands
for ne SAKE q their liberty and happiness
TIE a-rt-inperiaIists who may read the in
s--1c-ll-s VIII perhaps scan with some surprise
-as- portion Of the instructions which IS intro
duc=d IS follows Upon every division and
t-a1c1 q the government Of the Philippines.
therefore must be imposed these inviolable
rules" Then follow n substance the well
k15z- provisions Of The Constitution Of the
United States relating 70 personal rights and il
6lvi5uzI liberty
TEXT OF THE INSTRUCTIONS.
Executive Mansion, April :. 1900
The Secretary of War Washington
Slr- II ne r-zssa e transmitted 70 Che Con
g-aSs r1e oh Of December. 1893 I said,
speaking = the Philippine Islands: AS long as
l1@ lIs--r=C-icn continues the military arm
must necessarily be supreme But there IS no
reason -v steps should not be taken from
me -- -l-e 70 iuaugurare governments essen
tally pcrUlsr n their form fast as territory
= he'd and controlled by our troops To this
f1c IN considering the advIsa biIity Of the
return ~ ne Commission OF such of the mem
1ers thereof Is can b secured 70 ad the ex-
sting authorities snd facilitate this work
TlrcEEr--- ne Islands
T. give effect 70 the intention thus expressed
! nave appointed Hon william H. Taft, ot Ohio.
Erofesscr Dean C Worcester Of Michigan; Hon
~
ae, ~ Vermont and Professor Bernard Noses.
q Ca -fCr-Ls- Commissioners 10 the Philippine
ls-an-s 70 continue and perfect the work Of or
gaming and establishing civil government al
7@s1y commenced by the military authorities,
s-o5ecr = all respects 70 any laws which Con
gresE Czv hereafter enact
TIE Commissioners named VII meet and act
ss board and the Hon william H. Taft Is
designated as president Of the board t IS prob
slle --s- The transfer OF authority from military
-cr-c-z--=-z 70 civil officers VIII De gradual and
@-- occupy considerable period. It's successful
~e-ccT -zLrzlt and the maintenance Of peace
-lo order IN the mean tine wil require tie
G9st perfect cooperation between the civil orld
1I--e-y authorities in the island ard both
z-o--- ~ directed during the TRANSITION PERIOD
y t1l same executive department The Com
H-sst0E 0-il therefore report 70 the Secretary o-
#ar. and al their action will be subject 10 your
1ppr1Fa. and control
- EsTARLIsH MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS.
You VIII instruct the Commission TO proceed
= me CRY of Manila where they VIII make their
p..1clrs- 11Ece. and uO-Gsnzulun.oslte with the
a---s-y Governor Of The PL-Applre Islands,
.1l-- you viii al the same time direct 10 rem
-H 70 them every assistance Within MS power
= L-e per-or1la1ce OF LHelr duties WILaoGl
As1peri1E them by too specific Instructions.
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TRAINED NURSE.
Remarks about NourtshinE Food
a physlcian's wife Mrs. Dr.. Landon. gave me
-r r.r -ern TrrfTF =