Evening star., 1902-03-03
ADVICE FROM MANILA
Future Relations With the
United States.
u lfj
ADDRESS TO CONGRESS
FORM OF, GOVERNMENT OUT
LINED FoRTHE ISLANDS.
Based on American Lines, With Their
Guarantees, Provisions and
Limitations.
TO CONGRESS

FL henacimfento, newspaper published
IN Manila, Philippine Islands, in its issue Of
december y, 1901, discusses the question OF
the 1uture political relations Of the Philip
pines to the United States, and the govern
ment OF those islands. In a long editorial
addressed to the Congress of the United
States. Of which the following is a partial
translation:
Inc treaty of Paris having vested in the
United States the power Of providing a
political government for the Philippine
archipelago, it is to be presumed that be-
fore resolution Is adopted on this i'm
portant matter the situation of these
Islands will be carefully examined. and
nothing left undone to secure solution
winch will be of mutual and reciprocal ad-
vantage to both countries.
we do not intend to eXpound theories,
put we are going to de1uce only from prin-
clples which we consider American and
within the period Of the history of the
United States. form OF government for
TINS country which will allow to have a
VOICE IN the fulfillment of the natural ends
VI ne surely, in view of the experience of
nations OF Saxon origin, we have no reason
TO doubt that we will be given just and
iioeral government, which shall not limit
tie future or the people In any manner
whatsoever. but on the contrary tend to the
development Of it's native forces and secure
present and future rights.
Recommendations to Congress.
''The following is recommended as a
basis for the political relations of the
Philippine Islands to the United States:
Il. Sovereignty over the Philippine Is
lands is vested in the United States. and
therefore said nation is vested with all
the attributes of national sovereignity
= Ihe United States cannot. against the
interests of America and the Philippines,
cede nor ALLEVIATE the territory of the Phil
lpplnes TO foreign power either In whole
or in part.
IS. The Congress of the United States in
which Is vested the power to legislate for
the territory, cannot require said territory
at the proper time to become state of the
Union. nor can It deny it's right to be in
corporated as a state of the Union or to
adopt some other form OF organiza ton,
suitable to the then existing conditions.
a. All the prOhibitive preceptS of the
Constitution shall have full force and eff
feet in the Philippines and shall limit the
powers of the sovereign nation and those
of the territory Therefore, Congress will
not have the right to impose unrea sonable
or unconstitutional conditions upon the
territory of the Philippines, nor take from
the 1nsular treasury any amount of money
for any purpose other than those fixed
in the Constitution. nor dispose of any part
of the territory for the permanent use Of
the United STATES, to the damage Of the
interests Of the inhabitants of said ter
ritory. 3
''!o. The constitution Of the Philippines
will not be a permanent one. and there
fore the legislative chambers Of the coun-
try may submit for the approval of the
Congress of the United States such amend
ments as they may consider just or en-
titled to. - ~
Form of Government.
1.-The following, form Of government for
the Philippines Is also recommended:
Executive pewer-The governor shall be
appointed by the President of the United
States and cannot be reappointed In more
than two presidential terms. He shall be
responsible for the acts Of the executive
council and for his own acts to the powers
Of the nation. The right of veto which he
will exercise over the acts Of the legts-
lative chambers Of his territory shall be
similar to that Of the President of the
United States over Congress. The Philip
pine chambers shall have the right to de-
mand his removal for just cause. There
shall be no race distinctions with regard
to the appointment of this official.
"All other duties and rights not opposed
to the foregoing and usually granted to
governors Of territories are vested in the
governor of the Philippines.
1.-The executive council shall be appoint
ed by the governor and confirmed by the
Philippine senate. It's members shall act
as counselors to the governor and shall
not be held liable, their duties being SINH
lar to those of other administrative Off
cials. They shall have a seat in the cham
bers as members eX off1cio, without the
right to vote. and shall act governor by.
order of seniority. in case of the latter's
death, sickness or absence.
'The legislative power-The senate and
the lower chamber, appointed by suffrage,
shall have similar rights to those of the
Congress of the United States in so far as
the enactment of rules for their own gov
ernment is concerned. with the limitations
prescribed by the Constitution of the United
States 1t shall be necessary in order to
be a member of the chambers. If not native
horn to have resided in the territory not
less than ten years, among other quail
ficatons to own property valued at $1,000
at least or a prOpOrtionate income. A
residence Of five years will be necessary to
be qualified to vote.
.The judicial poWer-Is vested in a SUI
preme court appointed by the President,
and in lower courts established by the
territorial powers. excepting the executive
power Trials by jury shall be provided
for when the proper time arrives.