Evening star., 1900-09-18
casion, to improve, tine system OF educa-
ton already inaugurated by the military

caSlOn, TO improve, tne System Va euue"
ton already inaugurated by the military
authorities. In doing this they should re-
gard as Of first Importance the extension OF
a system of primary education which snail
he free to ALL and which shall tend TO nj
tho neople for the duties OF citizenship and
for the ordinary avocations or a civilized
community. This instruction should De
given in the frs. instance in every part OF
the islands in the language or the people
In view of the great number OF languages
spoken by the different tribes. 1t Is espec al
ly important to the prosperity of the islands
that common medium of communica lon
may be established. and 1t Is obviously de-
sirable that this medium should De the
English language. Especial attention & ould
be at once given - affording full oppor-
tunity to all the people of the islands TO
acquire the use of the English language
1t NAV be we'll that the main changes
which should be made in the system OF
taxation and In the body of the laws under
which the people are governed, except such
changes have already been mace oy the
military government, should be relega-eu
to the civil government which Is 10 De es-
tablished under the auspices Of the COM
mission. 1t will, however, be the duty OF
the commission to inquire diligently as to
whether there are any further en- Ses
which ought not to be delayed; and II so,
they are authorized to make such changes
subject to your approval. In doing so they
are to bear in mind that taxes wn.c-- tenn
to penalize or repress industry and enter
prise are to be avoided; that provisions for
taxation should be simple, SO that they
may be understood by the people; that
they should affect the fewest practicable
subjects of taxation which will serve fer
the general distribution Of the burden.
The main body of the laws which regu-
late the rights and obligations of the people
should be main aimed with as little inter-
ference as possible. Changes made should
be mainly in procedure and in the GRIM
naI laws to secure speedy and impartial
trials and at the same time effective ad-
ministration and respect for individual
rights
In dealing with the unciviized tribes of
the islands the commission should adopt
the same course followed by Congress N
permitting the tribes Of our North American
Indians to maintain their tribal organization
and government and under which many OF
those tribes are now living N peace and
contentment, surrounded by civilization to
which they are unable or unwilling to con-
form. Such tribal governments should,
however, be subjected to wise and firm reg
u.ation; and, without undue petty inter-
ference. constant and active effort should
be exercised to prevent barbarous practices
and introduce civilized customs.
Upon all officers and employees of the
United States, both civil and military.
should be impressed sense of the duty TO
observe not merely the material but the
personal and social rights CT the people of
the islands. and to treat them with the
same courtesy and respect for their per-
sonal dignity which the people Of the United
States are accustomed to require from each
other.
The articles of capltulation Of the city of
Manila on the 18th CT August, 1898, con-
cluded with these words:
This city, its inhabitants. Its churches
and religious worship. its educational es-
tablishments and Its private property Of all
descriptions are placed under the special
safeguard Of the faith and honor of the
American army"
l believe that this pledge has been faith
fully kept. AS high and sacred an obliga-
ton rests upon the government Of the
United States to give protection for prop
erty and life. civil and religious freedom
and wise, firm and unseif1sh guidance in the
paths of peace and prosperity to all the
people Of the Philippine Islands. 1 charge
this commission to labor for the full per-
formance Of this obliga ton. which concerns
the honor and conscience Of their country.
In the firm hope that through their labors
all the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands
may come to look back with gratitude to
the day when God gave victory to American
arms at Manila and set their land under
the sovereignty and the protection of the
people of the United States.
WILLIAM McKvNyY