Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-07-28
NEW LAWS FOR SANTIAGO
President Mckinley Dictates Ragu-
lations for the Government
Of the Cuban City.
MARKS An EPOCH IN AMERICAN HISTORY
American Supremacy Guarded -
Former officials to Continue so
Serve = Conquered Ports Thrown
Open 10 Neutral Nations.

Washington, July ia state paper
that will be historic marking an epoch
in American history. was issued Mon
day by direction Of President Mckin-
LEY. II provides in general terms fer
the government of Santiago de Cuba
and is the first document Of the kind
ever prepared 10y u president of the
j United States. By oruer Of Secretary
Aiger, Adjt. Gen. Corbjn cabled the
j document to Gen. Shafter. ia command
OF the military forces at Santiago.
The Presidents Proclamation
Executive Mansion Washington. July
Is, 1S9S.-To the Secretary g War-Sir: The
capitulation Of the Spanish s5~ees in Santi-
ago de Cuba anu N the cas- aFn part of
the province of Santiago ard 1. occupa-
ton of the territory By he fore of the
United States render IL necessary TO in
struct the military comma nder of the Unit
ed States 10 The conduct which he is to
observe during the military occupation.
Purpose OF the Government
THE first effect of the military occupa-
ton of the enemy's territory Is the sew
erance of former political relations Of the
inhabitants and the esta blishment of a new
political power. Under this changed condi-
ton of things the inha bitants. so long as
they perform their duties. are entitled 10
property
In all their private rights ard relations II
Is my desire that the inha bitants of Cuba
should be acquainted with the purpose of
the United states TO discharge to the fullest
extent its Obligations in this regard. Ii will
therefore be the duty of the commander OF
the army of occupation to announce and
proclaim in the most public manner that
we come not to make war upon the in
habitants of Cuba, nor upon any party or
faction among them, but to protect them
in their homes, in their employments and in
their personal and religious rights All
persons who. either by active aid or by
honest submission. cooperate With the
United States In its efforts % give effect to
this beneticent purpose will receive the re-
ward Of its support and protection. our
occupation should be as free from severity
as possible.
Existing Laws Continued.
Though the powers of the military oc-
cupant are absolute and supreme, and i'm
medlately operate upon the political con-
dition OF the inhabitants, the municipal
laws of the conquered territory such as
affect private rights of persons and prop
erty. AMI provide for the punishment OF
crime, IRE considered as continuing in
force, so far they are compa tible with
the new order of things, until they are sus-
pended or superseded by the occupying
belHgerent: and in practice they are not
usually abrogated, but are allowed to re-
main in force. and to be administered by
the ordinary tribunals. substantially as
they were before the occup patton This
enlightened practice is, SO far as possible
TO be adhered to on the present occasion
The judges and other officials connected
with the administration of justice may. If
they accept the supremacy Of the United
States, continue to administer the ordinary
law of the land. as betw cen man and man
under the supervision of the American
commander in chief. The native con-
stabulary will. so far may be practicable
be preserved. The freedom of the people
n
will be abridged only when 1t may be nee
essary to do
Commander Given High Powers.
While the rule of conduct of the Amer
lean commander in chief will be such as
has just been defined. 4 will be his duty
to adopt measures of a different kind it,
unfortunately, the course of the people
should render such measures indispensa bic
to the maintenance of law and order HI
viii then possess the power to replace or
expel the native officials in part or alto
gether. 10 substitute new courts of his own
constitution for those that now exist. or
to create such new supplementary
tribunals may be necessary. n he ex-
ercse of these high powers the COM
mander must De guided by his Judgment
and his experience. and a high sense of
justice
'One OF the most important and most
practicable problems with which it will be
necessary to deal is that of the treatment
Of property and the collection and admin
istration ~ revenues It is conceded that
all public funds and securities belonging to
the government of the country in it's own
right. ana all arms and supplies and Other
movable property of such government
may be seized by the military occupant
and converted to his own use. The real
property of the state he may hold and adj
minister. at the same time enjoying the
revenues thereof. but he is not to destroy
IT, save In the case OF military necessity
Mast BE Ne Wanton Destruction.
"Ali churches and buildings devoted to
religious worship and 10 the arts and sci
ences all schoolhouses are, so far as
possible 10 be protected. and all destruc-
ton or intentional DETACHMENT of such
places, of historical monum ents or archives
or of works Of science or art is prohibited
save when required by urgent military me-
cessity
private property taken for the use OF
the army Is ~ be paid for when possible
in cash al a fair valuation, and when pay
ment in cash Is not possible receipts are 10
he given.
'All ports and places IN Cuba which NAV
be in the actual possession OF our land
and naval forces will be opened to the
commerce OF all neutral natfons, as wen ~
our own, In articles not CONTRA band of war,
upon payment OF the prescribed rates OF
duty winch may be IL iOlce he time OF
the importa zion.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY
by Order Of the Secretary Of War:
HI c. CORBIN. Adjutant General"