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with scraps of metal, stones, bits of iron chain, eto; but they have now given up the water pipe cannon, as it used to blow up so many of their own people. At Guadaloupe I was shown one of the most. ghastly sights I think it has ever been my lot to witness, but it impressed me with the terrible odds with which these poor natives are contending. There was a group of fre dead Filipinos lying close to each other; a shell bad exploded in their midst. One of the wretched men had the whole of the lower part of his face carried away by a piece of the shell but the awful part is yet to be told. The shell, was fired at sunset, and when the Americans advanced at dawn this poor man was still breath. ing. When it is remembered that these insur- gents are a law-abiding, industrious, and peace- loving nation, and that they were forced into this present war much against their own will, and all through the overbearing insolence and brutality of the Spaniard, one cannot help feeling deeply for them.
However, it is to be hoped that they will shortly see that the American is a very different person to the Spaniard, and his ultimate motive a humane one. It is quite touching to go over the military hospital here and see the hundreds of wounded Filipinos having their wounds dressed, and being teuded and looked after with as much kindness as is given to the
· wounded American himself.
Manila, 31st Marob, 1899.
PROCLAMATION TO TH PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
SURGEON, R.N.
The following proclamation has been issued by the American Civil Commission on Philip pine Affairs :----
The treaty of Peace between the United States and Spain, ratified several weeks ago by the former, having on March 20th been ratified by the latter, the cession to the Union States, as stipulated by the Treaty, of the sovereignty which Spain possessed and exercised over the Philippine Islands has now, in accordance with the laws of nations, received a complete and in- defeasable consummation.
In order that the high responsibilities and obligations with which the United States hus thus become definitely charged may be fulfilled in a way calculated to promote the best interests of the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands, His Excellency, the President of the United States, has appointed the undersigned a Civil Commis- sion on Philippine affairs, clothing them with all the powers necessary for the exercise of that office.
The Commission desires to assure the people of the Philippine Islands of the cordial good will and fraternal feeling which is entertained for them by His Excellency the President of the United States and by the American people. The aim and object of the American Govern- ment, apart from the fulfilment of the solemn obligations it has assumed toward the family of nations by the acceptance of sovereignty over the Philippine Islands, is the wellbeing and prosperity and the happiness of the Philippine people, and their elevation and advancement to * position among the most civilized people of the world.
His Excellency the President of the United States believes that this felicity and perfection of the Philipp ne people is to be brought about by the assurance of peace and order; by the guarantee of civil and religious liberty; by the establishment of justice; by the cultivation of letter, science, and the liberal and practical arts; by the enlargement of intercourse with foreign nations; by the expansion of industrial parsuits, trade, and commerce; by the multiplication and improvement of the means of international com- munication; by the development with the aid of modern mechanical inventions-of the great natural resources of the Archipelago; and, in a word, by the uninterrupted devoted of the peo ple to the parsnit of those useful objects and the realization of those noble ideals which con- stitute the higher civilization of mankind.
Unfortunately, the pure aims and purposes of the American Government and people have been misinterpreted to some of the inhabitants of certain of the Islands. As a consequence, the friendly American forces have, without pro. Focation or cause, been openly attacked.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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And why these hostilities? What do the best Filipinos desire? Can it be more than the United States is ready to give? They are patriots and want liberty. it is said. The Com- mission emphatically asserts that the United States is not only willing, but anxious, to estab- lish in the Philippine Islands au enlightened system of Government under which the Philip pine people may enjoy the largest measure of home rule and the amplest liberty consonant with supreme ends of government and com- patible with those obligations which the United States has assumed towards the civilized nations of the world.
The United States, striving earnestly for the welfare and advancement of the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands, there can be no real conflict between American sovereignty and the rights and liberties of Philippine people. For, just as the United States stands ready to furnish armies, navies, and all the infinite resources of a great and powerful nation to maintain and support its rightful supremacy over the Philip pine Islands, so it is even more solicitious to spread peace and happiness among the Philip- pine people; to guarantee them a rightful free- dom; to protect them in their just privileges and immunities; to accustom them to free self- government in an ever-increasing measure; aud to encourge them in those democratic aspira- tions, sentiments and ideals which are the promise and potency of a fruitful national development.
It is the expectation of the Commission to visit the Phillipine peoples in their respective provinces, both for the purpose of cultivating a more intimate mutual acquaintance and also with a view to ascertaining from enlightened native opinion what form or forms of government seem beat adapted to the Philippine peoples, most apt to conduce to their highest welfare, and most conformable to their customs, traditions, senti- mauts, and cherished ideals. Both in the es- tablishment and maintenance of government in the Philippine Islands it will be the policy of United States to consult the views and wishes, and to secure the advice, co-operation and aid, of the Philippine people themselves.
In the meantime the attention of the Philip pine peope is invited to certain regultative prin. ciples by which the United States will be guided in its relations with them. The following are deemed of cardinal importance :-
1.-The supremacy of the United States must and will be enforced throughout every part of the Archipelago, and those who resist it can ae- complish no end other than their own ruin.
2. The most ample liberty of self-govern- ment will be granted to the Philippiue people which is rocoucilable with the maintenauce of a
wise. just, stable, effective, and economical ad- ministration of public affairs and compatible with the sovereign and international rights and obligations of the United States.
[April 15, 1899.
advantage to the Philippine people, will be promoted,
9.-Domestic and foreign trade and com and the general development of the country in merce, agriculture and other industrial pursuits, the interest of its inhabitants will be constant objects of solicitude and fostering care,
establishment of elementary schools in which 10.-Effective provision will be made for the the children of the people shall be educated. Ap- popriate facilities will also be provided for higher education,
1-Reforms in all departments of the go- vernment, in all branches of the public service, and in all corporations closely touching the com. mon life of the people must be undertaken with- justice, fin a way that will satisfy the well- out delay and effected, conformably to right and founded demands and the highest sentiments and aspirations of the Philippine people.
Such is the spirit in which the United States His Excellency the President has instrnoted comes to the people of the Philippine Islands. the Commission to make it publicly known. Aud in obeying this behest, the Commission desire to join with his Excellency the President in expressing their own good will toward the Philippine people, and to extend to their lead- ing and representative men a cordial invitation to meet them for personal acquaintance and for the exchange of views and opinions.
Manila, April 4th, 1899.
JACOB GOULD Schurman,
President of Commission. GEORGE DEWEY,
Admiral, U.S.N. ELWELL 8 OTIS,
Major-General, U.S. Volk. CHARLES DENBY. DEAN C. WORCESTER. John R. McArthur, Secretary of Commission.
HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD.
koug Sanitary Board was held. The President Ou the 13th April a meeting of the Hong- (Dr. J. M. Atkinson, Principal Civil Medical present the Vice-President (the Hon. F. H. May, Officer) occupied the chair, and there were also Captain Superintendent of Police), the Hon. R. D. Ormsby (Director of Public Works), Mr. A. W. Brewin (Acting Registrar General), Mr. Health), and Mr. C. W. Duggàn (secretary). E. Osborne, Dr. Clark (Medical Officer of
MEDICAL OFFICER's Report. The report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1898`was submitted.
Mr. OSBORNE suggested that the Govern- mont be asked whether a vote was accorded for the erection of two additional latrines in the
city during the year, and if so why the work had not been carried out.
The PRESIDENT said there was a sum of
$5,000 provided in the estimates for two pablic
latrines.
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will be guaranteed and protected to the fullest 3.-The civil rights of the Philippine people extent; religious freedom assured; and all per-dressed to the Government urging upon them Mr. OSBORNE moved that a letter be ad- sons shall have an equal standing before the law. 4.-Honour, justice. and friendship forbid
the necessity of carrying the work out. the use of the Philippine people or Islands as an object or means of exploitation. The pur- pose of the American government is the welfare and advancement of the Philippine people.
5.-There shall be guaranteed to the Philip pine people an honest and effective civil service in which, to the fullest extent practicable, natives shall be employed.
they might point out that if two additional The VICE-PRESIDENT, in seconding, said latrines were erected they would only be keep ing pace with the increasing population, as the Medical Officer of Health pointed out in his report.
THE IMPORTATION OF DOGS,
l'egulations and papers respecting the im 6.—The collection and application of taxes and portation of dogs into the colony were submitted, revenues will be put upon a sound, honest, and dogs imported could be quarantined and whether one of the questions dealt with being whether
and collected honestly, will be applied only in Dr. Clark minated: "The dogs likely to be economical basis. Public funds, raised justly the police would make arrangements for this. defraying the regular and proper expenses quarantined will be so few that a very small. incurred by and for the establishment and main-place would do; a small space railed off at the tence of the Philippine government and for such general improvements as public interest purposes, ghali not be diverted to other ends. may demand. Local funds, collected for local With such a prudent and honest fiscal adminis tration it is believed that the needs of the government will in a short time become com.
Cattle Depot would surely suffice?" The Vice-President minuted: "I have no place to built; somewhere at Kowloon would be best." quarantine dogs in. A place will have to be
the VICE-PRESIDENT, it was decided that a
On the motion of Dr. CLARK, seconded by....
patible with noɔnsiderable reduction in taxation.antine of three dogs by railing in a portion of temporary arrangement be made for the quar-
of justico will be established whereby the evils 7-A pure, speedy and effective administra.
the Cattle Depot. of delay, corruption and exploitation will be effectually eradicated.
8.-The construction of roads, railroads and other means of communication and transporta- tion, as well as other public works of manifest
ANALYST'S REPORT.
Mr. F. Browne, Government analyst, re- 31st he analysed six samples of brandy, one of ported that during the quarter ended March gin, two of port wine, two of rum, and three of
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