xisting social and political state of
the various populations, particularly as regards the forms of local
government, the administration of justice, the collection of customs
and other taxes, the means of transportation, and the need of public
improvements.

They will report through the State Department, according to the forms
customary or hereafter prescribed for transmitting and preserving such
communications, the results of their observations and reflections, and
will recommend such executive action as may from time to time seem to
them wise and useful.

The commissioners are hereby authorized to confer authoritatively
with any persons resident in the islands from whom they may believe
themselves able to derive information or suggestions valuable for the
purposes of their commission, or whom they may choose to employ as
agents, as may be necessary for this purpose.

The temporary government of the islands is intrusted to the military
authorities, as already provided for by my instructions to the Secretary
of War of December 21, 1898,[34] and will continue until Congress shall
determine otherwise. The commission may render valuable services by
examining with special care the legislative needs of the various groups
of inhabitants and by reporting, with recommendations, the measures
which should be instituted for the maintenance of order, peace, and
public welfare, either as temporary steps to be taken immediately for
the perfection of present administration or as suggestions for future
legislation.

In so far as immediate personal changes in the civil administration may
seem to be advisable, the commissioners are empowered to recommend
suitable persons for appointment to these offices from among the
inhabitants of the islands who have previously acknowledged their
allegiance to this Government.

It is my desire that in all their relations with the inhabitants of
the islands the commissioners exercise due respect for all the ideals,
customs, and institutions of the tribes and races which compose the
population, emphasizing upon all occasions the just and beneficent
intentions of the Government of the United States.

It is also my wish and expectation that the commissioners may be
received in a manner due to the honored and authorized representatives
of the American Republic, duly commissioned, on account of their
knowledge, skill, and integrity, as bearers of the good will, the
protection, and the richest blessi