The age-herald., 1901-04-09
NEW GOVERNMENT
 IN PHILIPPINES
Will be Established About the
 First of July
PLAN NOT YET COMPLETED
Authority Over the Islands Will Prob ably Be Exercised By the PresI-
 dent Through Secretary
 Roet-supreme Power.

Washington, April s.-The news from Manila regarding the establishment of civfl government is in accord with infor- nation already made public here that the new Philippine civil government will be established about July 1. Immediately upon the passage of the army appropria- tion bill. the entire Epooner amendment was cabled to the Taft commission and the commission was directed to prepare a plan for the government of the islands in accordance with the law. This plan has not yet been completed. but 1t is ex- pected to be about the time of the re- turn of the commission to Manila and it will be cabled here for approval or amendment.
 One of the most interesting features Is the question as to who will be in supreme authority under the President The law says that "all military, civil and judicial powers necessary to govern the Philip pine Islands shall be vested in such per- son and persons as the President shall direct"
 The language has been weighed very carefully and the designation person followed by persons" Is taken to mean that the President shall name some one to have supreme command under his own direction and that the persons shall be those acting under that command. Judge Taft, it is understood, is to be the Gov ernor of the islands. but 1t will be nec- essary to have some one in Washington act as the medium of communication be- tween the President and the government There will be great deal of business with which the President cannot burden himself and some cabinet officer will be selected to have charge of the Philip pines as we'll as other insular' affairs.
 Presidents Authority.
 Authority over the islands probably will be exercised by the President through Secretary Root as the secretary already is familiar with the governmental ma chinery of the islands. More than this, the law specifically asserts that the military as well as civil and judicial powers shall be exercised in the islands and 1t Is not believed feasible to divide the responsi- bility as for many years to come there must be joint and harmonious action by the civil and military authorities. There already has grown up in the War De- Ptli tihchb SihSC thS 0pahAoh W0A o MY soASA of insular affairs, which has in charge all matters pertaining to the civil opera tions, not only in the Philippines, but in Cuba. At present Lieutenant-C Colonel Ed wards Is in charge of this division, and his familiarity with conditions in the Phil lippines. he having spent a great deal of time there, makes him valuable officer. Colonel Edwards will continue in charge of his division.
 The fact that the actual control of the islands will remain in the War Depart ment does not mean that Governor Taft will have his power curtained. 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 lbroadest authority, and much that heretofore has been submitted to Washington for determination by the military governor-general and the Taft commission is expected to be settled by the governor. The general belief ex- pressed here is that the governor and council will be about all the government necessary.