Schurman Commission begins work on U.S. policy toward the Philippines

Background. Following the Treaty of Paris, which ceded Philippine sovereignty to the United States on December 10, 1898, President McKinley established the First Philippine Commission. Known as the Schurman Commission, this body was created to study the political situation in the Philippines and make recommendations on how the U.S. should proceed with governance and financial independence.

Composition. The commission was a five-person group headed by Dr. Jacob Schurman, who served as its chairman. Schurman, the president of Cornell University, played a key role in the commission's work, including writing parts of the official report to Congress regarding Philippine affairs.

Operations. The commission's civilian members arrived in Manila on March 4, 1899, shortly after the outbreak of armed conflict between U.S. forces and Filipino forces. The commission issued a preliminary report on November 2, 1899, and submitted its final report on January 3, 1900, recommending a civil government with a bicameral legislature.