The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-06-29
FUTURE OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Prof. SchurmaH's Views on the Es-
Establishment of Civil Government.

OA Wv IA
Jacob G. Schurman, President of The
first Philippine Commission, was at the
White House this morning and had an
hours conference with the President re-
garding the establisJ,gent of civil gov
eminent in the archipelago
'As I view the matter said Prof
Schurman, to Times reporter the
President is acting clearly within his mil
itary power in the establishment of civ
il government in the Philippines and in
such a way ala. his course will be up
held by the Supreme Court when its de-
cision is rendered. 1t will be necessary
for him to continue the exercise of that
authority until Congress acts. The pres
ent Commission is acting along the lines
followed by the first Commission. and its
action has been ii accord with what we
recommended in our report
Il am not surprised that civil govern
ment is to go into effect this early. u
was the original idea to do as the present
Commission has done-narnely. first, to
organize the cities and towns into COM
munities performing the functions of civil
government, and then the several prov
inces, after which the general civil gov
ernment would follow There ara some
of these provinces, particularly in the
southern part OF the archiDelago. Min
danao, and the Sulu Islands, for instance.
which are not qualified for civil govern
ment and will not be probably for some
generations. Such is not the case, how
ever. in Luzon and the Yisayas, with
the exception of the Island of Samar
where the insurgent element is too strong
TO warrant a relaxation of the military
power. Elsewhere 1 believe the inaugl-
ration Of civil government is the best pos
sible means OF bringing about a tranquil
and happy state OF affairs
Speaking Of the future OF the islands,
Prof Schurman said emphaticaIly that
he was opposed to ever admitting them
as States in the American Union.
Il believe" said he, that the Union OF
States should be confined to the American
continent. In the first place, they are not
capable of self-government, condition
which is imperative before the islands
could become States. and again they have
nothing in common with US and little in
common with themselves. as they are
composed of many different tribes, having
different districts and religions, and some
Of them are in a condition analogous TO
our American Indians a century or two
ago.
Personally continued Mr.. Schurman,
1 favor continuation OF American
sovereignty for, say two generations. and
then allow the people themselves to de-
eide whether they wish to continue under
our sovereignty or to maintain an inde-
pendent government We shall treat
them fairly. develop their Industries and
resources, and 1 would not be surprised
to have them express a desire to remain
with us. In the interim / favor a gov
ernment much like that now existing in
Porto Rico An American Governor. per-
haLs, with a legislative council, 2 por-
ton Of whose members shall be chosen
by the people and the remainder ap-
pointed by the President.
This system would act as d check
against any radical measures and would
still give the people a voice in the Gov
ernment
Il DO not believe that we took the ISL
ands for commercial ex. .,loitatiou, but sim
ply because in the issues Of war We could
not do otherwise, and Il 5 our duty TO
educate them in the ways Of civil govern
ment and the exercise OF liberty guided