Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1901-04-12
TO ASSUME CONTROL.
Civil Government for the Philippines
VIII lie Established
About July 4.

Washington, April 9.--The news
from Manila regarding the establish
ment of civil government is in accord
with information already made public
here that the new Philippine govern
ment will be established about July
1. Immediately upon the passage of
the army appropriation bill the en-
tire Spooner amendment was cabled
to the Taft commits sion and the COM
mission was directed to prepare
plan for the government of the IS
lands in accordance with the law.
This plan has not yet been completed, |
but it is expected to be about the
time of the return of the commission
to Manila, and it will be cabled here
| 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 fea-
lures is the question as to who Will
be in supreme authority under the
president. The law says that "all
military, civil and judicial powers nee
essary to govern the Philippine is
lands shall be vested in such person
and persons as the president shall dl-
rect" 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
governor of the islands, but it will
be necessary to have some one In
; Washington to act as the medium or
communication between the president
and the governor. There will be a
great deal of business with which the
president cannot burden himself, and
: some cabinet officer will be selected
to have charge of the Philippines as
we'll as other insular affairs.
Authority over the islands probably
will be exercised by the president
through Secretary Root, as the secre-
1 tary already is familiar with the gov
l ernmental machinery of the islands
i More than this, the law specifically
: INSERTS that the military as well as
civil and judicial powers shall be eN
ercised in the islands, and it is not
believed feasible to divide the respon
sibility, as for many years to come
D there must be joint and harmoniou:
5 action by the civil and military au
q thorities. There already has grow
up in the war department since th'
e Spanish war division of insular af
y fairs which has had in charge all mat
v ters pertaining to the civil opera
v tions. not only in the Philippines, bu
n in Cuba. At present Lieut.. Col. Ed
'e wards is in charge of this division
N and his familiarity with conditions i
r the Philippines, he having spent
" great deal of time there, makes hiI
IS valuable official
+ The fact that the actual control c
III the islands will remain in the war d.
ne partment does not mean that Go
Taft will have his power curtaile'
t. Necessarily the president will RENAL
sh the court of last resort for everythin
81 relating to the islands, but the go
at ernor and his counsel will exerci:
OF the broadest authority, and much th'
us heretofore has been submitted
re Washington for determination by Il
is military governor and the Taft col
us mission is expected to be settled
In the governor, council and the exec
ie- tive assembly, should one be thoug
RS necessary. The general belief e
hg pressed here is that the governor a
ice council will be about all the COVER
hs ment necessary.