Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1902-03-31
PHILIPPINE. POLICY
One Has Been Agreed Upon
by the Democrats in
Congress.
WILL OFFER MEASURE pROVID- =
ING INDEPENDENCE FOR
ARCHIPELAGO.
President to Be Authorized tc, Provide
Perpetual Neutrality and
Inviolabjtity.
AMERICANS ARE SAFEGUARDED

Washington, March 31-The Demo
cratic members of the senate commit.
tee on the Philippines have agreed
upon a substitute for the Philippine
government to be offered by them.
1t provides, subject to sundry pro-
visions which are set forth, that the
United States shall relinquish all
claim of sovereignty over the Philip-
pine archipelago, but that the United
States shall continue to occupy and
govern the archipelago until the peo-
pie thereof shall have established a
government and until sufficient guar
antees Shall have been obtained for
the performance of treaty obligations
with Spain, and for the safety of those
inhabitants who had adhered to the
United States, and for the mainte.
nance and protection of all rights
which have accrued under the author
ity thereof
constitutional convention is nro-
vided for the members of which arc
TO be selected by voters who speak
and write English, Spanish or any Of
the languages of the archipelago This
convention is to number 300 persons
and is to meet in Manila not more
than year from the cessation of hos
tllltles in the islands. This conven-
ton is to proceed ITO form a constitu-
ton and Orpani1o ruch cyO,,n,rr,o,,4 49,
they may deem best adapted to pro-
mote the welfare and secure the peace
and happiness of the inhaitants of said
islands. Provided that said conven-
ton shall provide by an ordinance ir-
revocable without the consent of the
United States:
Flrst-That there shall belong to
the United States, and continue to be
the property thereof, such lands and
waters as the president of the United
States shall designate to the said con-
vention for naval, military and coaling
stations and terminal facilities Of sub
marine cables, the same TO continue
under the control and sovereignty of
the United States.
"Second-To carry into effect the
treaty obligations of the United
States with the kingdom of Spain, and
for the maintenance and protection of
all rights and property acquired under
the authority of the United States.
"Third-That no inhabitant of said
archipelago shall ever be molested
In person or property on account Of
his or her adherence to the United
States"
1t is then to be the duty of the
president of the United States to issue
his proclamation declaring the indie
pendence of the people of the archi-
pelago.
The president is also authorized and
requested to negotiate an agreement
between the United States, TIE Phil
ippine Archipelago and Great Britain.
Germany, France and such other pow.
ers as he may deem best, providing for
the perpetual neutrality and inyiol-
ability from all interference with the
territory of the archipelago and also
FOR equal opportunities Of trade be-
tween the archipelago and foreign
countries.
Full amnesty is granted to all the
inhabitants of the islands on account
OF political offenses and the bearing of
arms against the United States.
Within sixty days from the election
or officers under. the Philippine con-
vention. and their Inauguration, the
president is to cause the armed forces
OF the United States to be withdrawn
, from the archipelago as speedily as
possible. -.