The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-29

promptly took measures. by authority
which had been accorded him by con-
gress. for forwarding the scheme Of
government. As three of the commits
sioners resigned after presenting their
report, Mr.. Mckinley created another
body, with more extended scope. con-
sisting of Judge Taft, Professor Dean
g. Worcester, Hon. Luke f. Wright,
Hon Henry c. Ide and Professor Ber-
nard Moses. They were to serve for
two years or for such a period as might
be necessary for the accomplishment
of the purpose in view, and they were
to go to the Philippines and establish
themselves with headquarters at Ma
Mia. All were prominent men of aft
fairs in their respective states and were
appointed for their known or assumed
ability without reference to politics
OF the five Professor Worcester of
Michigan was the best Informed re-
speeding the Philippines having made
several visits TO the islands and written
of them extensively. Mr.. Wright is
from Tennessee, Mr.. Ide from Vermont
and Mr.. Moses from California; SO the
Union was well represented geograph-
ically
In his instructions to the commits
sioners. embodied in a letter addressed
in April, 1900. to the secretary of war
President Mckinley outlined the scope
tinue and perfect the work of organic
ing and establishing civil government,
already commenced by the military au-
thorities, subject in all respects to any
laws which congress may hereafter en-
act" AS it was surmised that the
transfer of authority from military
commanders to civil officers would con-
sumo much time and necessitate per-
feet cooperation for it's successful ac-
cOmplishment, both services were to be
directed during the transition period
by the secretary of war to whom the
commission was instructed to report.
These instructions have been followed
to the letter, and the authorities, from
Military Governor Macarthur down,
have afforded every facility to the COM
missioners for the successful prosecu-
ton of their work. On their arrival
at Manila they We're comfortably es-
tablished at a central official residence.
whence. after familiarizing themselves
with the natives. studying the situa-
ton. they paid visits to the various is
lands in the vast archipelago being
provided for the purpose with a special
transport and escorts by the military
governor.
Special stress was laid by President
Mckinley upon the desire of the admin
istration that the Filipinos should have
accorded them the largest measure of
autonomy consistent with safety and
commensurate e with their capacity The
commissioners were to devote their eff
forts in the first instance TO the estab-
lishment of municipal governments in
which the natives of the islands. both
in the cities and in the rural comrnuni-
ties, should be afforded opportunities to
manage their own local affairs to the
fullest extent of which they We're cana
BILE and subject to the least degree of
supervision and control consistent with
the maintenance Of law and order.
Next to be considered in order of i'm
portance was the organization of gov
eminent in the larger divisions CORE
spending to counties or provinces. in
which the common interests of many
or several municipalities falling within
the same tribal lines or the same natu-
raj geographical limits might best he
subserVed by common administration
Whenever the commissioners should
arrive at the conclusion that the condi-
ton of affairs in the islands was such
that the central administration might
safely be transferred from military TO
civil control they were to report thar
conclusion to the secretary of war ar
Washington. together with recommen-
dations as to the best form to be ADOPT
ed.
At the same time 1t was cautioned
that the people of the islands should
be made plainly to understand thar
there are certain great principles which
have been made the basis of orr GOV
ernmental system which we deem es-
sential to the rule of law and the rnainte-
nance of individual freedom and which
they unfortunately had been denied
during the long centuries of Spanish
misrule- The Filipinos, in fact, were to
be treated in a spirit of justice and
generosity and, while being instructed
as to their duties, given a larger measure
of liberty than they had ever enjoyed.
BY the articles OF capitulation Of the