Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1901-10-03

Supreme Court of these islands because
neither side will be satisfied with the
decision Of this court.
Another important matter pending
in this Office at the present time is the
claim OF Andre Poniatowski Ia Polish
Count, who resides in California; the
island Palawan, ,oneo Of the large islands
Of the Archipelago. His claim is based
upon cession made by his Highness,
Hadji Muhammad Jamalal Kiram,
Sultan Of the Sulu Archipelago, who
claims jurisdiction and authority over
the island, 1t Itappears that the SulI
Archipelago, which is inhabited by
Moros Of the Mohammedan faith, was
never completely subiugated by Spain.
They operated under treaties and the
Sultan never went farther than to
acknowledge the suzerainty Of the
Spanish government. The contract
for the cesslon Of the property was
signed In 1898, and has been submitted
By the Secretary Of War to the Com
mission for investigation and report,
and Governor Taft, in turn, has re-
ferred it to this Office for an opinion.
There are many unique questions of
this character arising all the time and
l am taxed to my utmost TO meet the
work as 1t arises.
The Solicitor General and Assistant
General are both natives, the former
being from the Visayan group.
The United States Philippine Com
mission has made great progress In its
work In these islands. Ever since be-
fore the capture Of Aguinaldo the in.
surrection has been crumbllng to
pieces, until it is now only a guerrilla
warfare in the mountains Of some Of
the provinces.
We are operating under a dual form
Of government. Governor Taft Is
Chief Executive of the q provinces
| In which Civil Government has beer
established, and General Chaffee has
charge of the unorganized provinces
There has always been a slight fric
tion between the military and the
civil administrations here, but on ac'
count of the diplomacy of the partie:
| in charge it has never been serious
The army very naturally feels that
having conquered the country, Il
should administer it for while, al
| least.
/ In the direction of the civil Attain
there, the Commission has been left t
operate with a free hand. Be it sale
| to the credit of President Mckinley
| he has not hampered them in th'
slightest degree by orders ant
recommendations and appointment
| from Washington.
Il The government is to be congratulat
ed upon the character Of the mel
composing the Commission. Three o
them are lawyers of extraordinar,
natural abilities, and wide experienc
land the other two possess technica
information which fit them especiall
for their positions.
Judge William H. Taft, though
young man, is as fine lawyer as / hav
ever met in my life, and has a eapaci
ty for administration that is practical
!. ly unlimited.
} General Luke E. Wright, of Mem
phis, lisa ripe lawyer, liberal thinke
) and a man OF fine judgment.
Judge Henry @. Ide, of Vermont
. a fine technical lawyer, very industri
GUS, and very efficient.
Il Professor Dean @. Worcester ha
5 been manyyears in the islands and poi
: sesses special information which
very valuable.
!. Professor Moses, of California, is
4 man of erudution and informed hin
: self on Spanish rule throughout th
!, world many years ago. This secure
: him the appointment.
: Judge Taft is also great worke
e His jovial disposition and thoroug
a and practical knowledge of the Law