Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-07-03
AMNESTY FOR THEN.
Liberty to Be Given Political Pris.
oners In the Philippines.
The PROCLAMATION on The FOURTH


Washington, June 2s.-At the meet
ing of the cabinet yesterday the
terms Of an amnesty proclamation
to the Filipinos, which it is contem-
plated to issue on the Fourth OF
July, were agreed upon. The war
department for some time past has
had under consideration the draft OF
proclamation and has found it nee
essary to make number OF changes
in its text. In its modified state it
was agreed to by the cabinet yester-
day and Secretary Root will cable it
to Acting Gov. Wright for his in
spection. If it meets the latter's
approval nothing will remain but for
the president, if the Philippine civil
government bill is a law on that day,
as is now expected it will be, to
issue on Independence day a formal
proclamation, setting forth terms OF
amnesty for all political offenders
in the islands, including Aguinaldo
and those held at Guam.
The proclamation is based on the
general objects Of the Philippine gov
eminent bill, namely, to restore
peace in the archipelago and substi-
tute a civil for a military admins
tration. That bill is now in confer
ence and the proclamation will not
be issued until the Philippine gov
eminent measure has been agreed
upon by both houses and the presi-
dent has affixed his signature to it.
The proclamation will declare that
= state Of peace now exists in the
Philippine islands, save in the parts
Of the archipelago where the Min
danao or pagan tribes are giving the
United States a great amount OF
trouble, and will declare in effect
that with the transfer Of the
government Of the archipelago from
a military to a civil status oil those
arrested and held for political Of
lenses shall be restored to liberty,
granted full amnesty and allowed to
participate in the civil government
that is to be inaugurated'in the Is
lands.
While the proclamation is subject
to changes in text, the general Ian
guage Of the document is pretty
we'll mapped out. There was a gen
eral discussion yesterday of the
treatment that should be accorded
the political prisoners of the islands.
There is no intention, it is stated, to
release the prisoners convicted of
benefits of the amnesty being limited
20 those in custody as result OF
breaches of military law, leaving
criminal offenders to the action OF
the proper authorities under the
coming civil government. The pur-
pose is to demonstrate that the mo-
tives OF humanity and generosity
dictate our course toward the Phil
ippines. When the islands are turned
over to the civil authorities they will
not be left without adequate mill
tary protection, as no more troops
will be ordered home for the pres
ent and every precaution will be
taken for the military safeguarding
OF the islands for the new civil ad-
ministraton.
Another subject under considera-
ton at the cabinet meeting yester-
day WAS the negotiations for the
purchase Of the frlars' lands in the
Philippines. Secretary Root took
with him to the meeting all the cor
respondence which has passed be-
tween himself and Gov. Taft while
the latter has been CARRYING on his
negotiations at Rome, II is under
stood that Secretary Root feels
great confidence in a successful out
come Of Gov. Taft's efforts.
The cabinet meeting was held in
the presidents temporary quarters
on Lafayette square and was the
first time In So years that regular
session Of the cabinet had been held
II nutcide the whi%e houra