The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-12-07

lof the islands. overcoming the orga-
Inized forces OF the insurgents and car
Trying order and administrative regu-
llar1ty to all quarters. b opposition
remains Is for the most part scatter
led. obeying no concerted plan of
strategic action. operating only by the
methods common to the traditions OF
guerrilla warfare. which. while inef-
Elective to alter the general control
now established, are stii sufficient to
Ibeget insecurity among the popula-
ltionS that have felt the good results of
our control and thus delay the confer
ment upon them of the fuller meas
lures OF local self government Of edu-
cation, and of industrial and agricul-
itural development which We stand
ready to give to them.
BY the spring OF this year the effec-
tive opposition of the dissatisfied Ia
gals to the authority of the United
States was virtually ended, thus OPEN
ing the DOR for the extension OF a sta
bic administration over much OF the
TERRITORY Of the archipelago. Desiring
TO bring this about, l appointed in
March last a civil commission COM
lposed of the Hon William II. Taft, OF
Ohio; Professor Dean c. Worcester, of
Michigan; the Hon. Luke /, Wright, of
Tennessee; the Hon. Henry c. Ide, of
vermont, and Professor Bernard
Moses, of California The aims of their
mission and the scope of their authori-
lty are clearly set forth in my instruc-
tons of April Z. 1900. addressed TO the
lsecretary Of war to be transmitted to
them:
I'm the message transmitted TO the
congress on h 5th of December. 1899,
1 said, speaking of the Philippine is
lands:
LAS long as the instruction con-
%tinues the military arm must necessa-
rily be supreme. But there is no rea-
son why steps should not be
from time to time to inaugurate gov
Iernments essentially popular in their
form as fast as territory is held and
controlled by our troops. To this end
/ am considering the ACCESSIBILITY OF
the return of the commission, or such
lof the members thereof as can be Sc
Cured, to aid the existing authorities
and facilitate this work throughout the
islands,
ITO give effect to the intention thus
Expressed, 1 have appointed Hon Will
liam H. Taft, of Ohio; Professor Dean
jC. Worcester, of Michigan; Hon. Luke
II. Wright, of Tennessee; Hon. Henry
lC. Ide, of Vermont, and Professor Ber-
nard Moses. of California. commission
lers to the Philippine islands to con-
|tinue and perfect the work of organic
ing and establishing civil government
lalready commenced by the military
authorities, subject in all respects to
any laws which ongre may hereaf-
tier enact.
1.-The commissioners named will
meet and act as a board, and the Hon.
William H. Taft is designated as pres
lident of the board. 1t is probable that
the transfer of authority from military
commanders to civil officers will be
lgradual and will occupy a considerable
Iperiod. Its successful accomplishment
and the maintenance of peace and or
der in the meantime will require the
most perfect cooperation between the
civil and military authorities in the is
land, and 10Th should be directed dur
ling the transition period by the same
Executive department. The commission
will therefore report to the secretary OF
WAR, and all their action Will be SUBJ
lject to your approval and control.
"You will instruct the commission to
proceed to the city Of Manila, where
they will make their principal office,
and to communicate with the military
governor of the Philippine islands,
whom you will at the same time direct
within his power in the performance OF
their duties. Without hampering them
by too specific Instructions, they SHOULD
in general be enjoined, after making
themselves familiar with the conditions
and needs of the country. to devot:
their attention in the first instance &c
the establishment of municipal gov
ernments, in which the natives of the
islands, both in the cities and in the
rural communities, shall be AFFORDED
the opportunity to manag their own
local affairs to the fullest extent OF
which they are capable n subject tC
the least degree of supervision and con-
troll which a careful study of their ca.
IpacitieS and observation of the work
Iings of native control show to be con.
Isistent with the maintenance of law
order, and loyalty.
1.-The next subject in order of impor-
lance should be the organization o.
government in the larger administra-
tive divisions corresponding to o
tries, departments, or provinces. il
which the common interests of many
or several municipalities falling within
the same tribal lines, or the same nat
ural geographical limits, may best b.
subserved by a common administra
1tion. Whenever the commission is o
the opinion that<the condition of at
fairs in the islands is such that tn
central administration may safely b.
~|transfered from military to civil contro
they will report that conclusion to you
with their recommendations as to tn
form of central government to be es
ltablished for the purpose OF takin,
lover the control.
Beginning with the 1st day of Sep
TENDER, 1900, the authority to exercise
subject to my approval, through tn
secretary of war, that part of the powe
iof government in the Philippine island
which is of a legislative nature is to b
transferred from the military gov
Iernor of the islands to this commission
to be thereafter exercised by them il
the place and stead of the military gov
lernor, under such rules and regulation
Jas you shall prescribe, until the estab
Ilishment of the civil central govern
Iment for the islands contemplated i
the a foregoing paragraph, or unit
congress shall otherwise provide. Elk
. Iericse of this legislative authority Wi
Include the making of rules and orders
having the effect of law, for the rails
ing of revenue by taxes. customs du
ties and imposts; the appropriation an
Expenditure of public funds of the is
lands: the establishment of an educa