The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-28
President NH Issue ProcIama-
 tiOn on July 4
WILL SAY PEACE NOW EXISTS
Prisoners, Including AeuinaIdo, Ac- cused of Political Offenses Will Be Released-cabinet
 Holds Meeting.

Washington, June 27.-At the meeting
 of the Cabinet today, the terms of
 amnesty proclamation to the Filipinos,
 which 1t is contemplated to issue on
 the Fourth of July. were agreed upon.
 The War Department, for some time past has had under consideration, the draft of
 a proclamation and has found 1t neces-
 sary to make a number of changes in it's
 text. In it's modified state 1t was agreed to by the Cabinet today and Secretary Root will cable 1t to Acting Governor
 Wright for his inspection. If 1t meets
 the latters approval, nothing will main for the President If the Philip pine civil government bill is a law on that day to issue on Independence day formal proclamation setting forth
 terms of amnesty for all political offen- ders in the islands including Aguinaldo and those held at Guam.
 The proclamation is based on the gen-
 eral objects of the Philippine govern
 ment bil namely, to restore peace in
 the archipelago and substitute a civil for military administration. That bill Is now in conference and the proclama- ton will not be issued until the Philip
 pine government measure has been
 agreed upon by both houses. and the
 President has affixed his signature to it. Peace Now Exists. The proclamation will declare that a state of peace now exists in the Philip
 pine Islands. save in the parts of the
 archipelago where the Mindanoa or pagan
 are giving the United States a great
 amount of trouble and will declare, in effect, that with the transfer of the gov- 1 ernment of the archipelago from military 1 to civil status, all those arrested and held for political ofenses shall be restored l to liberty, granted full amnesty and
 allowed to participate in the civil gov
 ernment which is to be inaugurated on l the islands.
 There was a general discussion today 1 of the treatment that should be accorded | to political prisoners in the islands. There l Is no intention, 1t Is stated to release 1 those prisoners convicted of other than 1 political offenses. the benefits of the ann | nesty being limited to those in custody l as a result of breaches of military law l leaving criminal offenders to the action l of the proper authorities under the com | ing civil government The purpose is | to demonstrate that motives of humanity | and generosity dictate our course toward | the Filpinos.
 Will Have Military Backing. When the islands are turned to the civil | authorities they will not be left without l adequate military power of protection, as | no more troops will be taken from the
 military safe guarding of the islands un- | der the new civil administration. Another subject under discussion at the l cabinet meeting today was the negotia- | tiop for the purchase of the friars' lands | In the Philippines It is understood Sec | retary Rect feels great confidence in | successful outcome Of Governor Tafts | negotiations at Rome
 The cabinet also took up the question l of naming the naval vessels provided for | in the naval appropriation bilr. The cabinet meeting was held in the Presidents temporary quarters on La- l Fayette Square. and was the first time
 in eighty eight years that regular ses-
 sion of tho cabinet has been held outside l the White House.