New-York tribune., 1902-02-13
PETITION FOR ANNEXATION.

The memorial proper is divided into two parts.
| The first of these is a petition for annexation
ard a presentation of the form of government
desired In this subdivision the Federal party
sets forth that it has made exhaustive study
! Of both the Filipinos and the Americans. and
cor cudes that from the mass of data collected
it is the intention OF the two peoples that they
should never be disunited." The memorial an
| nounces principles for this union the formation
of "a more perfect union. establishment of JUS
tice, the insurance of domestic tranquility, pro-
motion Of the general welfare and the securing
of the blessings of liberty" The memorial then
| proceeds:
To make OF the Philippines a colony OF the
United States to grant independence 10 the
Philippines would be to hand the islands over to
disorder and to anarchy, to destruction and to
chaos. In effect the colonial system involves the
principles of difference of citizenship. inequality
Of rights and other consequent abuses and in
justices, OF all which FiIipnos surfeited
under the Spanish Government. and for this
reason We reject everything which tends toward
a colony. Philippine independence. with or with
out a prOtectorate, means holding Of power by
all the terrible elements Of the sects which pre-
dominate. and would predominate still for some
years until the anger or Filipinos toward FIJI
pinos shall have been completely calmed, educa-
inherited from Spain exed. Federation or
neXatiOn would settle all these difficulties by
concentrating the interest Of the Filipino people
upon education and Ia Dor.
The rnenorialists then pray declaration by
the Congress of the United States the effect
that the Philippine Islands as they are de-
scribed in the Treaty Of Paris, and the subse-
quent convention with Spain are integral
part OF the United States. the said Philippine
Islands constituting a Territory with the rights
and privileges which the constitution OF the
United States grants 10 the other Territories,
such as that Of becoming a State OF the Union"
FORM OF GOVERNMENT DESIRED.
A preliminary form Of government similar to
that Of the Territories Of the United States is
outlined as suitable for the Philippines. The
plan provides for a governor and four executive
secretaries, 10 he appointed by the President
Of the United States and for a territorial Sen
ate in addition to House Of Representatives
consisting of thrty-one members sixtees of
whom are to be elected by the people and the
others appointed by the governor. The memorial
asks that the islands be represented in the
United States House Of Representatives by two
delegates.
The second part OF the memorial sets forth as
/ pirations Of a social and economical character.
| the principal Of which the memorial represents
| 10 be the securing Of a remedy for the ancient
! evil known as the friar:' Under this designa-
| ticn the memorial includes all the relig gious
orders now existing in the islands. The me-
mortal says of the latter that they constitute
! element which are visibIy opposed to the
! Filipino people securing the noble ends guaran-
! teed by the constitution OF the United States"
| of these orders have been the cause of the
! bloody struggles Of the past and OF the deep
| hatred existing between the friars and the peo-
! pie of the Philippine Islands Congress Is asked
| TO take steps remedy this evil, and special
! attention is urged 10 the recommendations made
! by Governor Taft
GENERAL. AMNESTY ASKED.
| Complete and general amnesty to the Philip
| pine people IS asked In the pacifed portions
| OF the islands, the memorial says, there are
| thousands OF prosecutions brought against the
revolutionists who have surrendered to Ameri-
can sovereignty for acts of violence commit
| ted while they were in the field and prior to
! their surrender. The memorial asserts that
| there many revolutionists who have thus
submitted who have been now deported to dis
| tant islands, who undergoing sentences
| in jails and prisons while their families suffer
| the greatest sorrow and want. This condition of
| affairs the memorialists consider A great OBJ
| stace to complete pacifcation.
Other requests made are for satisfactory
| monetary system the approval of the acts OF
| the Taft Commission, and the application OF the
money captured from the former Filipino gov
| ernment TO the education of the inhabitants.