Schurman Commission

[1][2] Its final report was submitted on January 3, 1900, and recommended the establishment of a civil government having a bicameral legislature and being financially independent from the United States.

Meanwhile, with U.S. forces under Otis advancing northwards from Manila, the seat of Aguinaldo's revolutionary government had been moved from Malolos to new headquarters in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija.

[10] The commission published a proclamation containing assurances that the U.S. did not intend exploitation of Filipinos, but their "advancement to a position among the most civilized peoples of the world", and announced "that the United States is ... anxious to establish in the Philippine Islands an enlightened system of government under which the Philippine people may enjoy the largest measure of home rule and the amplest liberty."

The commission explained that it had no power to arrange that, and such a request would need to be put to General Otis but, in fact, hostilities were suspended as long as insurgent representatives were within American lines.

[13] After some discussions, Arguelles left and returned with a letter from Mabini expressing continuing confidence in the "friendship, justice, and magnanimity of the North American nation".

The President earnestly desires cessation of bloodshed, and that the people of the Philippines Islands at an early date shall have the largest measure of local self-government consistent with peace and good order.Arguelles said that, in his opinion, the plan would meet much approval.

[16] A session of the Revolutionary Congress convened by Aguinaldo voted unanimously to cease fighting and accept peace based on McKinley's proposal as reported by Arguelles.

Schurman, after proposing unsuccessfully to the commission that they urge McKinley to revise his plan to enlarge Filipino participation, cabled the suggestion to the President as his own.

McKinley also polled the other commission members, receiving a response that "indecision now would be fatal" and urging "prosecution of the war until the insurgents submit.

We cannot from any point of view escape the responsibilities of government which our sovereignty entails; and the commission is strongly persuaded that the performance of our national duty will prove the greatest blessing to the peoples of the Philippine Islands.