t of first importance that a conflict brought
on by you be avoided at this time, if possible. Can not Miller get into
communication with insurgents, giving them President's proclamation and
informing them of the purposes of the Government, assuring them that
while it will assert its sovereignty its purpose is to give them a good
government and security in their personal rights.

By order Secretary War:

CORBIN.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 20, 1899._

The SECRETARY OF STATE:

My communication to the Secretary of War dated December 21, 1898,[33]
declares the necessity of extending the actual occupation and
administration of the city, harbor, and bay of Manila to the whole of
the territory which by the treaty of Paris, signed on December 10, 1898,
passed from the sovereignty of Spain to the sovereignty of the United
States and the consequent establishment of military government
throughout the entire group of the Philippine Islands.

While the treaty has not yet been ratified, it is believed that it will
be by the time of the arrival at Manila of the commissioners named
below. In order to facilitate the most humane, specific, and effective
extension of authority throughout these islands and to secure with the
least possible delay the benefits of a wise and generous protection of
life and property to the inhabitants, I have named Jacob G. Schurman,
Rear-Admiral George Dewey, Major-General Elwell S. Otis, Charles Denby,
and Dean C. Worcester to constitute a commission to aid in the
accomplishment of these results.

In the performance of this duty the commissioners are enjoined to meet
at the earliest possible day in the city of Manila and to announce by a
public proclamation their presence and the mission intrusted to them,
carefully setting forth that while the military government already
proclaimed is to be maintained and continued so long as necessity may
require, efforts will be made to alleviate the burdens of taxation, to
establish industrial and commercial prosperity, and to provide for the
safety of persons and of property by such means as may be found
conducive to these ends.

The commissioners will endeavor, without interference with the military
authorities of the United States now in control of the Philippines, to
ascertain what amelioration in the condition of the inhabitants and what
improvements in public order may be practicable, and for this purpose
they will study attentively the e