Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-09
VISITING FLIP IN OS
Persons of Prominence From
Island Possessions.
TO ARRIVE LATE TODAY
HOW THEY WILL BE ENTERTAIN
ED IN THIS CITY.
Object of Their Coming-Personnel OF
the Commission-Some Were
Active Rebels.

Fifty Fiipinos of prominence and edu-
cation. all members of the honorary board
of Philippine commissioners who are visit
ing the United States as the guests of the
federal government, will arrive In Wash
ington late this afternoon. An elaborate
program for the entertainment of these
representative gentlemen has been pro-
vided, to be participated in by the Presi-
dent of the United States. his officials in
both the civil and military establishments
the District Commissioners and the lead
ing business men of the city. The visitors
will remain here until next Monday morn
ing when they start north on a trip
through Philadelphia, New York and the
New England states.
The organization of this honorary board
of Philippine commissioners is an enter
prise unique in the history of the United
States, If not of the world. Men who ar
rayed themselves against the American
government, and who did all they could TO
defeat the purpose of its administrators,
are now paid from seven to ten dollars
per day and all expenses, to become the
guests of the American government. on
little pleasure jaunt of 2oOoO miles, or
more. The American Congress has appro-
prated $4,000 for this trip of it's dark
skinned wards. and if more cash is needed,
it will be forthcoming, merely that these
distinguished Filipinos may study our peo-
pie, our customs our resources and our
strength, to the end that they will return
to their native land, enthused with their
foster mother 1t is hoped by the govern
ment to use these fifty gentlemen as me-
dunn to reach the of the people In
those faraway western isles, medium TO
which they will listen with interest and
creduity. The act of Congress, which au-
thorized the commission, specified each
member must be man of prominence and
education" and they have been selected
with due regard to their standing in the
several communities.
Some Distinguished Men.
Some of the members of the commission
are deserving of especial mention. Mariana
Trias for instance was second in command
of the rebel army, under Aguinaldo, was
the first secretary of state in Agunaldo's
ca binet, and in 1896 was vice president of
the revolutionary government set up
against the Spanish regime. Among the
other members are lawyers, governor, lit
erateurs. artists, journalists, soldiers, doc
tors and farmers Mr.. A. w. Ferguson,
eminent, is in charge of the party, as
sisted by Mr.. Thomas Hardeman, disburs-
ing officer, and formerly a captain in the
United States volunteers. The President
and Mrs. Roosevelt will entertain the COM
missioners and few guests at luncheon to.
morrow afternoon, followed by a reception
on the lawn south of the White House. The
Marine Band will be in attendance.
A formal welcome will be given the COM
missoners this evening at the Corcoran
Gallery of Art. by the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia, participated in by
prominent members of the Business Mems
Association and the Washington Board of
Trade. An automobile tour of the city is
on the program for Saturday, when the
Board of Trade will be the host, and Satur-
day evening the Army and Navy Club will
entertain the visitors. The party will board
the Dolphin on Sunday and make the trip
to Mt. Vernon, where luncheon will be
this afternoon by a committee from the
business Mems Association and several
army officers, detailed from the War De-
partment. The headquarters of the party
Will be at the Arlington.
Personnel Of the Commission.
The following is brief biography Of each
OF the members of this interesting commits
SION
Mr.. 7. H. Pardo de Tavera-Born in Ma.
Mia In 1857, educated in Paris. France.
where he received his degree of M D.;
practiced his profession In Manila where
he was professor of the medical faculty of
the university during the Spanish regime.
he was a representative in the MaIOlos
congress ana director OF foreign relations
In 1899 he was the founder and first d.
rector OF La Democracia, the first pro-
American daily in the Philippines; when
the federal party was organized he was
elected its first president; he devotes his
time to the history, languages and biblog-
raphy of the Philippines and has published
works on these and other subjects such as
medicinal plants. etc.
He Is at present a member of the Philip
pine commission and president of the hon.
orary board of commissioners to the St.
lish.
Mr.. Benito Legarda-Born in 1853 in the
city of Manila; he received the degree of
bachelor of laws from the University of
mil a hn hao
much. having visited Japan and the expo
stions of Paris and Chicago: he was d.
rector OF the treasury and vice president
1898.
He is at present a member Of the Philip
pine commission; speaks English.
Mr.. Victorino Mapa-Born in Calico. Ca
piz. and is fifty years of age; he has been
an attorney at law since 1877, having filed
the following offices: Register of deeds Of
Iloilo, mayor of the city of Iloilo. member
of Visayas, and president of the special
court of the same: he is also a licenciate
at law, bachelor of philosophy and of civil
and canonical law.
He Is at present an associate Judge in the
supreme court of the Philippine Islands, to
which he was appointed in 1901. and men,
Der OF the executive committee Of the homo
rary board of commissioners to the st.
Louis exposition.
Juan de Leon-Born in Iloilo in 1865; he
is an attorney at law and has been JUS
tice OI the peace, attorney anu member OF
the municipal council of Iloilo, judge of the
court of first instance and of the twelfth
judicial district of the Philippine Islands,
member of the council Of the federal state
of Visayas and of the superior court of
justice of Panay.
He is now the mayor of the city of Iloi-
10, president of the Panay and Negros
Agricultural Association and of the Joint
stock mercantile society of the same name,
managing proprietor of "El TEMPO"
newspaper in Iloilo. and member of the
executive committee of the honorary board
of commissioners to the st. Louis EXPOSE
ton.
Mr.. Manuel de Iriarte-Born in Manila in
1864. educated in Europe, he was cadet