employees of the United States, both civil and
military, should be impressed a sense of the duty to observe not merely
the material but the personal and social rights of the people of the
islands, and to treat them with the same courtesy and respect for their
personal dignity which the people of the United States are accustomed
to require from each other.

The articles of capitulation of the city of Manila on the 13th of
August, 1898, concluded with these words:

"This city, its inhabitants, its churches and religious worship,
its educational establishments, and its private property of all
descriptions, are placed under the special safeguard of the faith and
honor of the American Army."

I believe that this pledge has been faithfully kept. As high and
sacred an obligation rests upon the Government of the United States to
give protection for property and life, civil and religious freedom, and
wise, firm, and unselfish guidance in the paths of peace and prosperity
to all the people of the Philippine Islands. I charge this Commission
to labor for the full performance of this obligation, which concerns
the honor and conscience of their country, in the firm hope that through
their labors all the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands may come to
look back with gratitude to the day when God gave victory to American
arms at Manila and set their land under the sovereignty and the
protection of the people of the United States.

Coincidently with the entrance of the Commission upon its labors I
caused to be issued by General MacArthur, the Military Governor of the
Philippines, on June 21, 1900, a proclamation of amnesty in generous
terms, of which many of the insurgents took advantage, among them a
number of important leaders.

This Commission, composed of eminent citizens representing the diverse
geographical and political interests of the country, and bringing
to their task the ripe fruits of long and intelligent service in
educational, administrative, and judicial careers, made great progress
from the outset. As early as August 21, 1900, it submitted a preliminary
report, which will be laid before the Congress, and from which it
appears that already the good effects of returning order are felt; that
business, interrupted by hostilities, is improving as peace extends;
that a larger area is under sugar cultivation than ever before; that the
customs revenues are greater than at a