The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-05-11
TAFT COMMISSIONS WORK,
Milwaukee Sentinel.

amnesty proclaimed by General Mac
Arthur with the sole condition that the'
would be good hereafter, expired MaH
/, and the hurry with which insurgen
leaders and their men awaited them
selves of the terms OF the proclamation
was In harmony with the traditions OF
moving day. The only people in th'
Philippine islands now in arms against
the authority OF the United States are
a few bsnls under the leadership OF
desperate outlaws whose crimes against
the conventions Of war as well as hu-
manity have put them beyond the pale
of amnesty
When General Macarthur made his
reOort Of the conditions existing in the
Islands on octSber last, there were
many who, accepting the somewhat
gloomy view Of the situation outlined
bv the general in command, could see
no prospect of a restoration Of peace In
the ARCHIPELAGO In the near future, This
outlook. unwelcome as II was TO all
who had hoped for better news from
the far East. was an inspiration TO The
little coterie Of ultra pure frAedom-lov-
ers whose headquarters are In Boston.
Mass. and particularly so to the Demo
cratic statesmen whose sole ambition
in life is 10 find grounds upon which 70
stand while criticising the adminisira-
tion of President Mckinley.
Blu; the war is ended. The methods
followed by the Taft commission in
dealing with the natives We're designed
to win their confidence and secure their
cooperation in the work Of reconsJruc-
ton undertaken by the commission un-
der Instructions from the administra-
ton. In its legislative capacity the
commission determined 20 pass no bills,
except in cases Of emergency, without
first publishing the pending measures
and allowing natives TO appear before
the commission and offer suggestions or
amendments. This plan. differing so
radically from the old Spanish way Of
dealing with the natives. al first sur
prisei and then pleased them. Later
came an announcement OF the recon-
mendation for dealing with the problem
OF the friars and their possessions in
the islands. which was also satisfact-
ory to the Firpinos. The organization
OF the Federal party. made up as it was
of men who had been converted to the
belief that the commission was labor
ing to pave the way for a practlca!
auionomv under the protection and
guidance Of the American republic. !
brought to the aid of Judge Taft and /
his associates a powerful ally
The result has been that the Residents !
of the town and country districts who /
We're aiding the insurgents while cs-
tensibly acting with the local govern
ments previously established by the mil
itarv governor of the islands. have
abandoned the secretly organized COM
ple:e insurgent municipal governments
about which General Macarthur made
complaint, and have accepted the ten
der of aid by the commissioners in
forming local governments loyal TO the
United States. The insurgent troops,
deprived Of the support heretofore Civ
en- them by non-combatants, have sur
rendered their hopes Of achieving in
under Aguinaldo, and have
united with their chief. around the
glorious banner Of the United States.
In this banner they impose their trust
and belief that under its protection the
people will attain all these
promised liberties which they are be-
ginning to enjoy"
Having brought about the results
outlined within the space Of few
months and against obstacles that ap-
Deared to General Macarthur to be in
ii is not unreasonable TO
expect the Taft commission supported
as 1t now will be bv the natives Of the
Stands, will succeed in so organizing
he machinery Of civil government
within a reasonable time that the only
Military force required to maintain z
,eace and furnish a sufficient guaranty
'or the safety Of life and properly will ..
oe garrlsOned in the important towns.
whose duties will consist in aiding the {
native constabulary.
WITH THE PAPAGP ApuEpc