The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-04-09
UNDER THE WAR DEPARTMENT
MKINLEY WILL LIKELY Do RTTsT.
NESS THROUGH SECRETARY
ROOTS MEN
TAFT THE CIVIL GOVERNOR
Thought the Head of the Present
Philippine Commission Will
Remain at the Helm
in Manila.

WASHINGTON, April 8. = The news
from Manila regarding the establish
ment OF civil government is in accord
with the infcrmG tion already made pub
Tic here that the new Philippine govern
ment will be established about Julv
Immediately upon the passage of the
army appropriation bill the entire Spoon
er amendment was cabled to the Taft
commission and the commission was di-
rected to prepare a plan for the gov
ernment Of the islands in accordance
with the law. This plan has not vet
been completed, but it is expected to be-
about the time of the return of the COM
mission to Manila, and it will be cabled
mere for approval or amendment. The
civil government proposed Will not be
very elaborate, but sufficient to meet
the present requirements One Of the
most interesting features is the question
as to who will be supreme authority un-
der the president. The law says that "alI
military, civil and judicial powers neccs-
sary to govern the Philippine islands
shall be vested in such person and per.
! sons as the president shall direct
I TAFT TO GOVERN.
I The language has been weighed care
FULLY and the designation person fol-
lowed by persons is taken to mean
J that the president shall name some one
" nave supreme command under his own
direction, and that the persons shall ba
those acting under that command. Judge
Taft, it is understood, is to be the gov
ernor of the islands, but it will be neces-
sary TO have some one in Washington
TO act as the medium Of communication
between the president and the governor
Ihere Will be great deal of business
Whlch the president cannot burden him
self with, and some cabinet officer will
De selected to have charge of the Philip
pines as well as other insular affairs
Authority over the islands will be ex-
erc1sed, probably, by the president,
through Secretary Root, as the secretary
already is familiar with the governmental
machinery of the islands
UNDER SECRETARY ROOT.
More than this, the law specifically as
serts that the military as well as civil and
| judicial powers shall be exercised in the
! Islands, and it is not believed feasible
to divide the responsibility, as for MANY
| years to come there must be Joint and
harmonious action by the civil and milf
tary authorities There already has
grown up in the war department since
the Spanish war a division of insuIar
affairs which has had in charge all mat
ters pertaining to the civil operations
not only in the Philippines but in Cuba
At present Lieut.. Col Edwards is in
charge of this division, and his familiar
1ty with conditions in the Philippines,
he having spent a great deal of time
there, makes him a valuable official 1t
is probable that if the Philippines be
administered through the war depart
ment Col. Edwards will continue in
charge of the division
The fact that the actual control of the
islands will remain in the war depart
lnent does not mean that Gov. Taft will
have his power curtailed
Necessarily the president will remain
the court of last resort for everything
relating to the islands, but the governor
and his counsel will exercise the broadest
authority, and much that heretofore his
been submitted to Washington for de-
termination by the military governor
general and the Taft commission is ex-
pected to be settled by the governor.
council and the executive assembly,
should one be thought necessary. The
general belief expressed here is that the
governor and council will be about all
tn government necessary. T