The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-09
Division of Insular Affairs i'm the War
Department VIII Continue to
Attend to Details.
AGUINALD0 NOT TRUSTED
TILIPINOS AT MANILA TAKE LITTLE
STOCK IN HIS SINCERITY.
lie Is Now Living Like n Prince and In
No Hurry tn Advise His Fol-
lowers to Surrender.

WASHINGTON, April s.-The news from
Manila regarding the establishment of civil
government is in accord with information
already made public here that the new
Philippine government will be established
about July l. Immediately on the passage
OF the army appropriation bill the entire
Taft Commission and the commission was
directed to prepare a plan for the govern
ment of the islands in accordance with the
law. This plan has not yet been COM
pleted. but it is expected to be about the
time of the return of the commission to
Manila, and it will be cabled here for APP
ment proposed will not be very elaborate.
but sufficient to meet the present require
ments. One of the most interesting fea-
lures is who will be in supreme authority
under the President.
The law says that all military, civil and
judicial powers necessary TO govern the
Philippine islands shall be vested in such
person and persons as the President shall
direct. The language has been weighed
very carefully, and the designation per
SON. followed by persons is taken to
mean that the President shall name some
directions. and that the persons shall be
those acting under that command. Judge
Taft, 1t is understood is to be the Gov
ernor of the island. but it will be necessary
to have someone IN Washington to act as
the medium of communication between
the President and Governor There will be
a great deal of business with which the
President cannot burden himself, and some
In Off xx-tn ha
charge of the Philippines as well as other
insular affairs.
Authority over the islands probably will
be exercised by the President through Sec
retary Root, as the secretary already is
familiar with the governmental machinery
of the islands. More than this, the law
specifically asserts that the military as
we'll as civil and judicial powers shall be
exercised in the islands, and il is not be-
lieved feasible 20 divide the responsibility
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 Department since
the Spanish war division of insular af-
fairs which has had in charge all matters
pertaining TO the civil operations, not only
in the Philippines. but in Cuba. At pres
charge of this division, and his familiarity
with conditions in the Philippines. he hav-
ing spent a great deal of time there, makes
him a valuable Official. 1t is probable that
If the Philippines be administered through
the War Department Colonel Edwards will
continue in charge OF the 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 curtailed. Necessar-
lily the President will remain the court of
last resort for everything relating to the
islands, but the Govrnor and his council
will exercise the broadest authority, and
much that heretofore has been submitted
TO Washington for determination by the
military governor general and Taft Com
mission, is expected to be settled by the
Governors council and executive assembly
should one be thought necessary. The
general belief expressed here Is that the
Governor and council will be about all
the government necessary.