The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-28
Proclamation May BE Issued the
4th of July for the Release of
AguinaIdO and Others.
AN EVIDENCE OF GOOD WILL
THAT Is INTENDED TO REASSURI
FILIPINOs OF OUR PURPOSE.
Proclamation to BE CabIed TO Manila
and TO Go Into Effect with the
Civil Government Bill.

WASHINGTON, June 27.-At the meeting
of the Cabinet to-day the terms of an
amnesty proclamation to the Filipinos.
which 1t is contemplated to issue on the
4th day Of July were agreed on. The War
Department for some time past has had
under consideration the draft of proclama-
ton and has found it necessary to make
a number of changes in its text. In it's
Cabinet to-day and Secretary Root will
cable it to acting Governor Wright for his
inspection. 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 formal
proclamation, setting forth terms of am
nesty 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 government bill.
namely, to restore peace in the archipelago
and substitute a civil for military admin
istration. That bill is now in conference
and the proclamation will not be issued
until the Philippine government measure
has been agreed on by both houses and the
President has affixed his signature to it
The proclamation will declare that a
state of peace now exists in the Philippine
islands. save in the parts of the archipelago
where the Mindanao or pagan tribes are
giving the United States great amount of
trouble. and will declare, in affect. that
with the transfer of the government of the
archipelago from a military to a civil status
all those arrested and held for political
offenses shall be restored to liberty, granted
full amnesty, and allowed to participate in
the civil government which Is to be inaueu-
rated in the islands.
While the proclamation is subject TO
change in text. the general language of
the document is pretty we'll mapped out.
There was a general discussion TODAY of
the treatment that should be accorded
tc political prisoners in the islands. There
is no intention. it is stated. to release those
prisoners convicted of other than political
offenses. the benefits of the amnesty being
limited to those in custody as a result of
breaches of military law, leaving criminal
offenders to the action of the proper author
tiles under the coming civil government
The purpose is TO demonstrate that motives
of humanity and generosity dictate our
course toward the Filipinos. When the
islands are turned over TO the civil author
tiles they will not be left without adequate
military protection. more troops will
be ordered home for the present and every
precaution will De taken for the military
safeguarding of the islands under the new
civil administration.
Another subject under consideration at
the Cabinet meeting to-day the ne
gotiatiOns for the purchase of the friars'
lands in the Philippines. Secretary Root
took with him 10 the meeting all the cor
respondence which has passed between
himself and Governor Taft, while the lat
ter has been carrying on his negotiations
at Rome. 1t is understood that Secretary
Root feels great confidence in a successful
outcome OF Governor Tafts efforts
The Cabinet also took up the question
of naming the naval vessels provided for
in the naval appropriation bill and, il Is
stated. a decision was reached in that case.
but il is desired not to make the names pub
lie until the vessels are actually author
lied.
The Cabinet meeting was held in the Pres
dent's temporary quarters on Lafayette
square. and was the first time in eighty
eight years that a regular session of the
Cabinet has been held outside the White
House