The similar passage from my 1910 report should have been on file there, and last but not least, when finally, after the lapse of years, I saw the so-called “Edwards” memorandum, in reality written by General McIntyre, on which the Secretary of War had based his action in ordering all reference to slavery cut out of my 1910 report, I had made a full reply to it, containing a specific statement that slavery and the sale of human beings were common in certain parts of the islands and citing certain specific cases. I had specially requested that this communication be filed in the bureau of insular affairs, and General McIntyre, the chief of that bureau, who acknowledged its receipt, could hardly have forgotten its existence.
A Moro Chief with his Wives and Daughter.
The war department reported on this matter without seeking any information from Manila. I can only conclude that Secretary Garrison was deceived by some irresponsible subordinate.
As promptly as practicable I completed my report and sent it to the commission, which read and considered it on May 17, 1913, immediately passing the following resolution:—
“Whereas the Act of Congress passed July 1, 1902, ‘temporarily providing for civil government of the Philippine Islands and for other purposes’ provides that ‘neither slavery nor involuntary servitude except as a punishment for crime whereof the parties have been duly convicted shall exist in said Islands,’ and
“Whereas the Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands in the case of the U. S. vs. Cabanag (Vol. VIII, p. 64, Phil. Repts.), decided on March 16, 1907, decided that ‘there is no law applicable here either of the United States or of the Archipelago punishing slavery as a crime;’ and
“Whereas, in order to remedy this condition in accordance with the above-mentioned provisions of the said Act of Congress, the Philippine Commission in its exclusive legislative jurisdiction over all that part of the Philippine Islands inhabited by Moros or other non-Christian tribes passed Act No. 2071, and as a branch of the Philippine Legislature has in four successive sessions passed an act prohibiting and penalizing slavery, involuntary servitude, peonage, or the sale of human beings, and
“Whereas during each of said sessions the Assembly has failed to concur in the passage of such Act; now, therefore, be it
“Resolved, That the Honourable the Governor-General be requested to send to the Honourable the Secretary of War a copy of the proposed law entitled ‘An Act prohibiting slavery, involuntary servitude, peonage, or the sale of human beings in the Philippine Islands’ as passed by the Commission in the last session of the last Legislature, but which failed of passage in the Assembly, with the recommendation that a copy of the law be sent to Congress with the request that the necessary legislation be enacted to render fully effective the above-mentioned provisions of the Act of Congress of July 1, 1902.”