Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-06-28
AMNESTY TO NATIVES
Cabinet Decides on Terms of a
Proclamation to the
Filipinos.
TO Be ISSUED ON 4TH OF JULY
II Philippine Government Bill Is a
Law That Day, and If Acting Gov.
ernor Wright Approves-Aguinaldo
to ae included.


ing of the cabinet yesterday the terms
Of an amnesty proclamation to the
Fiiipinos, which 1t is contemplated to
issue On the Fourth of July, were
agreed upon. The war department
for some time past has had under con-
sideration the draft of a proclama-
ton and has found it necessary to
make number Of changes in Its
text. In its modified state 1t was
agreed to by the cabinet yesterday
and Secretary Root will cable 1T to
Acting Governor Wright for his In
s2ection. If it meets the latters ap-
i.roval nothing will remain but for the
president if the Philippine civil gov
eminent bill is law on that day, as
i, now expected 1t will be, to issue on
Independence day a formal proelama-
tion setting forth terms of amnesty
for any political offenders in the
islands, including Aguinaldo and those
held at Guam
To Restore Peace In Islands.
The proclamation Is based on the
general objects of the Philippine gov
eminent bill. namely, to restore peace
IN the archipelago and substitute a
CIVIL for a military administration.
That bill is now in conference and the
rre clamation will not be issued until
the Philippine government measure
has been agreed upon by both houses
and the president has affixed his sig
nature to 1t. The proclamation will
declare that state Of peace now ex.
lists in the Philippine islands, save in
the parts of the archipelago where
the Mindanao 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
military to a civil status, all 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 on the
islands. While the proclamation is
81 bject to changes in text, the gen.
eral language Of the document is
lefty we'll mapped out. There was
a general discussion yesterday of the
treatment that should be accorded
the political prisoners on the islands.
Affects Only Political Prisoners.
There is no intention, is is stated, to
release those prisoners convicted of
G. her than political offenses, the ben
ehts of the amnesty being limited to
those in custody as a result Of
HI caches Of military law, leaving
criminal offenders to the action of the
proper authorities under its coming
civil government. When the islands
are turned over to the civil authori-
ties they will not be left without ade-
quate military protection, as no more
troops will be ordered home for the
present, and every precaution will be
taken for the military safeguarding
Of the islands under the new civil ad-
consideration.
Hopeful of Tafts Efforts.
Another subject under consider.
alton at the cabinet meeting yes
terday was the negotiations for
the purchase of the friars' lands in
TIE Philippines. Secretary Root took
with him to the meeting all the cor
respondence which has passed be-
tween himself and Governor Taft
while the latter has been carrying on
his negotiations at Rome 1t is un-
derstood that Secretary Root feels
great confidence in a successful out
c Jme Of Governor 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
Il the cabinet was held outside the
White House.