The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-04-09
CIVIL GOVERNMENT
viii Be Established in the
Philippines About July |

Washington, D. c. April S.
The news from Manila regarding the
establishment Of ciyH government Is in
accord with Information already made
public here that the new Philippine
government win be established about
July L. Immediately upon the passage
Of the army appropriation bill the en-
tire spooner amendment was cabled
to the Tart Commission and the COM
mission was directed 20 prepare plan
for the government Of the islands IN
accordance WITH the law This plan
has not yet been completed, but It IS
expected 10 be about the time of the
return OF the commission to Manila
and 81 win be cabled here for approval
or amendment The civil government
proposed will not be very elaborate.
but sufficient 90 meet the present re-
one of the most interesting features
and judicial powers necessary to gov-
quirements
ern the Philippine islands. shall be
vested i'm such person 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 dir ion. and that the persons
shall be those acting under that com
mond. Judge Taft, II Is understood. Is
to be the governor Of the islands, but
It viii be necessary to have some one
In Washington 10 act as the medium
OF communication between the presi-
dent and the governor There win be
a great deal of busiess. with which the
president cannot burden himself. and
some cabinet officer win bc selected TO
have charge ~ the Philippines as well
as other insular affairs.
Authority over the islapds probably
will be exercised by tde president
through Secretary Root as the secre-
tary already is familiar with the gov
ernment machinery Of the islands.
More than this. the law specifically as
serts that military as well as civil
and judicial powers shah be exercised
in the islands. and IL Is not believed
feasible to divide the responsibility, as
for many years tn come there must be
joint and harmonious action by the
civil and military authorities There
already has grown up in the war de-
partment since the Spanish war a divi-
sion of insular affairs which has had
in charge all matters pertaining to the
civil operations. not only in the Philip
/ pine but In Cuba. At present Lieu
tenant Colonel Edwards is In charge Of
this division. and his familiarity with
conditions IN the Philippines. he having
spent a great deal OF time there, makes
him a valuable official. IL Is probable
that II the Philippines be administered
through the war department Colonel
Edwards Will continue In charge of the
division.
The fact that the actual control Of
I the islands will remain In the war de-
( partment does not mean that Governor
/ Taft will have his power curtaied.
/ Necessarily the president will remain
the court Of last resort for everything
/ relating to the islands, but the COVER
nor and his council viii exercise the
! broadest authority, and much that
/ heretofore has been submitted o.
/ Washington for determination by the
military governor general and the Taft
/ commission Is expected 10 be settled
I by the governor, council and the eX-
ecutive assembly should one be neces-
sary The general belief expressed here
10 that IN governor and council viii be
about an the government needs