be gradual and will occupy a considerable period. Its
successful accomplishment and the maintenance of peace and order in the
meantime will require the most perfect co-operation between the civil
and military authorities in the islands, and both should be directed
during the transition period by the same Executive Department. The
Commission will therefore report to the Secretary of War, and all their
action will be subject to your approval and control.

You will instruct the Commission to proceed to the city of Manila,
where they will make their principal office, and to communicate with
the Military Governor of the Philippine Islands, whom you will at the
same time direct to render to them every assistance within his power
in the performance of their duties. Without hampering them by too
specific instructions, they should in general be enjoined, after making
themselves familiar with the conditions and needs of the country, to
devote their attention in the first instance to the establishment of
municipal governments, in which the natives of the islands, both in the
cities and in the rural communities, shall be afforded the opportunity
to manage their own local affairs to the fullest extent of which they
are capable and subject to the least degree of supervision and control
which a careful study of their capacities and observation of the
workings of native control show to be consistent with the maintenance
of law, order, and loyalty.

The next subject in order of importance should be the organization of
government in the larger administrative divisions corresponding to
counties, departments, or provinces, in which the common interests of
many or several municipalities falling within the same tribal lines,
or the same natural geographical limits, may best be subserved by
a common administration. Whenever the Commission is of the opinion
that the condition of affairs in the islands is such that the central
administration may safely be transferred from military to civil control
they will report that conclusion to you, with their recommendations as
to the form of central government to be established for the purpose of
taking over the control.

Beginning with the 1st day of September, 1900, the authority to
exercise, subject to my approval, through the Secretary of War, that
part of the power of government in the Philippine Islands which is of a
legislat