Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1899 — WILL STUDY THE FILIPINOS. [ARTICLE]

WILL STUDY THE FILIPINOS.

Duties of the American Commission Are Made Public. The uncertainty concerning the powers and scope of the Philippine commission has been set at rest by the publication of an order issued by President McKinley to the Secretary of State. The order is a concise statement of the personnel, duties and authority of the commission, and defines its exact relation to the military government now in force. The commission, which is composed of Jacob G. Schurman, Admiral George Dewey, Maj. Gen. E. S. Otis, Charles S. Denby and Dean C. Worcester, is instructed to meet at Manila and announce by public proclamation its presence aud authority “carefully setting forth that, while the military government already proclaimed is to be maintained and continued so Jong as necessity may require, efforts will be made to alleviate the burdens of taxation, to establish industrial aud commercial prosperity and to provide for the safety of persons and of property.” The commissioners are to ascertain, without interference with the military authorities, what amelioration in the condition of the inhabitants and what improvements in public order may be practicable. ~For this purpose they will study attentively the existing social and political state of the various populations, particulaiiy as regards the forms of local government, the administration of justice. the collection of customs aud other taxes, *he means of transportation and the need of public improvements. They will report through the State Department and will recommend such executive action as may be required. The military government will continue in force until Congress shall determine otherwise. The commissioners are ° authorized to confer with residents of the islands to recommend suitable persons among them for appointment when personal changes in the civil administration seem advisable, and to exercise respect for the ideals, customs aud traditions of the natives, emphasizing the just and benevolent intentions of tbe United States Government. Acknowledgment of allegiance to the American Government is a primary requisite to recommendation for appointment.