The age-herald., 1900-12-04

out the United States adequate to compel a general observance of the salutary rule $ to which I have referred.
 "The whole question is so important and far-reaching that I am sure no part of Il will be lightly considered, but every phase of it will have the studied deliberation Of the Congress-, resulting in wise and judi cious action.
 Restraint upon such combinations as are injurious, and which are within Fed eral jurisdiction, should be promptly ap- piled by the Congress.
 The Philippines.
 In my last annual message I dwelt for some length upon the condition of affairs in the Philippines. While seeking to im- press upon you that the grave responsi- bility for the future government of those islands rests with the Congress of the United States, I abstained from recom- mendng at that time a specific and final form of government for the territory aetu- ally held by the United States forces and as long as insurrection continues the mili- tary must necessarily be supreme. l stated my purpose, until the Congress shall have made known the formal expression of its will, to use the authority vested in me by the constitution and the statutes to uphold the sovereignty of those distant islands as in all other places where our flag right luAy uodlSt pldClnB lO llldt 0iiu tiS bis- posal of the army and navy and all means which the liberality of Congress and the people have provided. No contrary express sion of the Congress having been made, steadfastly pursued the purpose so de- cared, employing the civil arm as well to- ward the accomplishment of pacification ad. the institution of local governments within the lines of authority and law
 Progress in the hoped for direction has been favorable Our forces have success fully controlled the greater part of the island, overcoming the organized forces or the insurgents and carrying order and ad- ninistrative regularity to all quarters What opposition remains is for the most part scattered obeying no concerted plan of strategic action, operating only by the methods common to the traditions Of guer- rella warfare, which, while ineffective ID alter the general control now established, are still sufficient to beget insecurity among the populations that have felt the good results of our control, and thus delay the conferment upon them of fuller meas ures of local self-government of education and of industrial and agricultural develop nent which we stand ready to give to them.
 The Civil Commission.
 By the spring of this year the effective opposition of the dissatisfied Tagels to the authority of the United States was Virtu- ally ended thus opening the door for the extension of a stable administration over much territory of the archipelago. Desir- ing to bring this about, I appointed in March last a civil commission composed or the Hon. w. H. Taft of Ohio, Prof. Dean C, Worcester of Michigan, Hon. Luke E. Wright of Tennessee, Hon. Henry. C. Ide of Vermont and Prof Bernard Moses or California The aims of their mission and the scope of their authority are clearly set forth in my instructions of April T. lSoo' aa- dressed to the Secretary of War to De transmitted to them.
 In the message transmitted to the Con gress on the 5th of December, 1899, I said, speaking of the Philippine Islands:
 'As long as the instruction continues the military arm must necessarily De su- preme but there is no reason why steps should not be taken from time to time to inaugurate governments essentially popu- lar in their form as the vast territory IS held and controlled by our troops. To this end I am considering the advisability or the return of the commission or such mem- bers thereof as can be secured to aid the existing authorities and facilitate thls wofK throughout the islands,"
 "To give effect to the intention thus ex- pressed I have appointed Honorable w. II. Taft of Ohio Professor Dean c. Worces- ter of Michigan, Honorable Luke E Wr1ght of Tennessee, Honorable Henry c. 1de or Vermont and Professor Bernard Moses or
  of organizing and establishing civil gov ernment already commenced by the militia " authorities subject in all respects to any laws which Congress may hereafter enact
 The commissioners named will meet and act as a board, and Honorabl Wm. H. Taft is designated as president of the board It is probable that the transfer of authori- ty from military commanders to civil off1- cers will be gradual and will occupy a considerable period. It's successful accom- plishment and the maintenance Of peace and order in the meantime will require the most perfect cooperation between the civ il and military authorities in the islands and both should be directed during the transition period by the same executive department.
 The commission will therefore report to the Secretary of War and all their actions will be subject to your approval and con- trol You will enitrust the commission to proceed to the city of Manila where they will make their principal office and to com- municate with the military governor or the Philippine Islands whom you will at the same time direct to render to them every assistance within his power in the performance of their duties. Without ham, pering them by too specific instructions, they should in general be enjoined after making themselves familiar with the con- ditions and needs of the country, to de- vote their attention in the first instance to 
 ments in which the natives of the islands, both in the cities and in the rural commun- ities shall be afforded the opportunity to manage their own local affairs to the full est extent of which they are capable and subject to the least degree of supervision and control which careful study of their capacities and observations of the workings of native control show to be consistent with the maintenance of law, order and loyalty
 prouineiaI Governments
 The next subject in order of importance should be the organization of government in the larger administrative divisions cor responding to countries, departments or provinces in which the common interest of many municipalities falling within the same tribal lines, or the same natural ge- graphical limits, may best be subserved by common admission. Whenever the commission is of the opinion that the con- dition of affairs in the islands is such that the central administration may be trans- ferred from military control they will re- nctrf tha conclusion to you with their rec