New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-04
COMMISSION IN MANILA.
MIR. TAFT TALKS OF THE WORK OF
ESTABLISHING CIVIL GOVERNMENT
IN THE PHILIPPINES

Manila, June 3.-The United States transport
Hancock from San Francisco, April H. arrived
here this morning with the members of the
eral MacArthurs staff welcomed the Commits
soners on board the Hancock. At noon the
Commissioners landed and drove to the palace,
escorted by General MacArthur's staff a band
and two companies of the 26th Infantry with
artillery
AT the palace the Commissioners were well
coined by General Macarthur in a short and
forceful address After Judge William II. Taft
president of the Commission, had replied the
Commissioners returned to the Hancock where
they will remain until they have selected suit
able dwellings on land
During the morning the members Of the Fill
pino Supreme Court, the local editors and many
of the leading merchants repaired to the trans
port. where they conversed with the Commits
sioners. Rear Admiral Remey in command of
the United States naval forces on the Asiatic
Station, called officially in the afternoon To-
morrow General Macarthur will return the call
of the Commissioners. The family Of Judge
Taft will remain for awhile in Japan. The fam
lilies Of the other Commissioners arrived with
them.
Judge Taft speaking to-day to a representa-
tive of The Associated Press regarding the pow
ers and future work of the Commission, said:
We have full Instructions and extensive pow
ers The latter we shall not exercise until we
have had ample time to acquire sufficient knowI-
edge OF the situation to enable us to proceed to
enact legislative changes and reforms prelim-
mary to the establishment of stable civil gov
eminent. Until We assume authority, General
Macarthur will continue to perform the duties
and exercise the powers formerly performed
and exercised by General Otis and even after
take active and full part in the government
General Macarthur will continue as the execu-
tive head until, upon our recommendation to
n X n Sho11 tIN
dent that the time has arrived for the appoint
ment of a civil executive and for making the
military force merely auxiliary in carrying on
the civil government to be available only in
cases of emergency for the suppression of law
less violence too formidable to be overcome by
the regularly organized local police.
We are aware that there are several issues
Of deep interest to the Filipinos upon which it
is duty to take action. Some Of these in
volve judicial investigation and decisions upon
legal rights. Others call for the careful exercise
Of political power in order to secure equitable
cannot speak.
Representing the sovereignty Of the United
states in the Philippines, which it is the purpose
or our Government TO maintain, are here to
do justice to the FiIipinos and to secure for
them the best government in our power and
such q measure OF popular control as is con-
sstent with the stability and security of law
order ard property. We are civil officers men
of peace The field Of work is necessarily
confined to regions where the armed enemy has
ceased his operations. We cannot deal with
armed men. General Macarthur and the Arrov
When those now in arms shall have laid them
down, relying, as they certainly can. upon the
justice, generosity and clemency of the United
states, we shall give them all full hearing
upon the policy TO be pursued and the reforms
TO be initiated. We purpose to inaugurate as
comprehensive a school system throughout the
islands as circumstances wiz allow J am sur
pr1sed that Manila has not received news re-
sarding the Spooner bill. a measure calculated
10 help us greatly in work here.
While in Hong Kong the Commissioners oues-
toned Armacho and members of the wealthy
Cortez family regarding Filipino affairs not COW
cred by the Filipino Junta there.
The Flipinos in Manila are anxiously and
even nervously, awaiting formal statement by
the Commission regarding its future policy
Everything the Commissioners say or do is care
fully considered. Gable dispatches from Hong
Kong have been published here TO the effect
that the Commission will assume control
unt1 September. This report, coupled with the
statement that Washington approves General
MacArthurs plan of campaign has created con-
siderable excitement in Filipino circles where it
mas been expected that immediate changes Of
policy and action would follow the arrival of
the Commission
1t should be understood that the foregoing
declaration of Judge Taft is in no sense in
tended as a proclamation.