The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-28
AMNESTY TO
 THE FILRINOS Cabinet Agrees on Pro-
 clamation. PRISONERS WILL BE FREED Aguinaldo Among Those to De
 Given Liberty. Those Convicted of Other Than Poli- tical offenses will Be Tried Un- der the Civil Government
 70 Be Inaugurated.
PRISONERS WILL BE FREED

Washington, June H.--At the meeting Of the Cabinet today the terms oe the atn- nesty proclamation to the FiIipfnos. which 1t Is contemplated to issue on sna 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 necessary to, make a number of changes in it's text. Tn its modified state it waa agreed to by the Cabinet today that Sec retary Root will cable in to Acting Gov- ernor Wright for his inspection. If it meets the 1atters approval. nothing will remain but for the President. if the Philippine civil government bill is law on that day. to issue on independence Day formal proclamation setting forth the terms of amnesty for all political of lenders In the islands. including Aguinal- do and those held at Guam.
 The proclamation Is based on the gem eral objects of the Philippine government bill, namely, to restore peace in tho archipelago and substitute a civil for military administration That bill is now In conference and the proclamation will not be issued until the Philippine govern ment 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 islands. save in the parts Of the archipelago where the Mindanao or pagans are giving the s.e tR.ess and will declare, in effect, that with tha transfer of the government of the archt- pelago from military to civil status al4 those arrested and held for polieicai oft lenses shall be restored to liberty, grant cd full amnesty aud allowed to partiei- pate in the civil government. which is to be inaugurated on the islands.
 Treatment of Prisoners.
 There was a general discussion of the treatment that should be accorded to po- litical 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 am- nesty being limited to those in custody as a result of breaches of military law, leaving criminal offenders to the action of the proper authorities under the com ing civil government The purpose is to demonstrate that motives If humanity and generosity dictate our course toward the Filipinos.
 When the islands are turned over to the civil authoritiess they will not be left without adequate military protection, as no more troops will be taken for the military safeguarding of the islands un- der the new civil administration.
 Another subject under consideration at the Cabinet meeting was the negotia- ton for the purchase of the friars lands in the Philippines. It is understood that Secretary Root feels confident in a suc- cessful outcome of Governor Taft's ne- gotiations at Rome.
 The Cabinet also took up the question of naming the naval vessels provided for in the naval appropriation bill.
 The Cabinet meeting was held in the Presidents temporary quarters on La fayette Square and was the first time in eighty-eight years that regular session of the Cabinet has been held outside the White House.