Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1898-07-27
NEW LAWS FOR SANTIAGO
President Mckinley Dictates Regu-
1ations for the Government
of the Cuban City.
MARKS AN EPOCH IN AMERICAN HISTORY

The Rights of All Who Recognize
American Supremacy Guarded -
Former officials to Continue to
Serve - Conquered Ports Thrown
Open to 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. 1t provides in general terms for
the government of Santiago de Cuba
and is the first document of the kind
ever prepared by a president of the
United States. By order of Secretary
Alger, Adjt. Gen. Corbin cabled the
document to Gen. Shafter, in command
of the military forces at Santiago.
The Presidents Proclamation.
Executive FIX. Mansion. Washington. July
18, 1S9S.-To the Secretary Of War.-Sir: The
capitulation Of the Spanish forces in Sant1-
ago de Cuba and in the eastern part Of
the province Of Santiago and the occupa-
ton of the territory by the forces Of the
United States render it necessary to in
struct the military commander Of the Unit
ed States as to the conduct which he is to
observe during the military occupation.
Purpose of the Government.
1.-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 establishment Of new
political power. Under this changed condi-
ton Of things the Inhabitants. so long as
they perform their duties. are entitled to
security IN their persons and property and
in all their private rights and relations It
Is my desire that the inhabitants Of Cuba
should be acquainted with the purpose Of
the United States to discharge to the fullest
extent Its obligations In this regard 1t will
therefore be the duty Of the comm ander 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. ALI
persons who. either by active aid or by
honest submission. cooperate with the
United States in its efforts TO give effect to
this beneflcent 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
med1ately 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. and provide for the punishment Of
crime. are considered continuing in
force, SO far as they are compatible with
the new order of things. until they are sus-
pended or superseded by the occupying
belligerent; 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 ation 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 between man and man,
under the supervision Of the American
commander In chief. The native con-
stabulary will. SO far as may be practicable,
be preserved. The freedom of the people
to pursue their accustomed occupations
will be abridged only when it may be nee
essary to do so.
Commander Given High Powers.
while the rule of conduct of the Amer
lean commander in chief will be such as
has just been defined. 1t will be his duty
to adopt measures of a different kind. if,
unfortunately, the course of the people
should render such measures indispensable
to the maintenance of law and order. He
will then possess the power to replace or
expel the native officials in part or alto
gether, to substitute new courts of his own
constitution for those that now exist, or
to create such new or supplementary
tribunals may be necessary. In the ex-
ercise of these high powers the COM
mander must be 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 trea tment
OF property and the collection and admin
istration Of revenues. It is conceded that
all public funds and securities belonging to
the government of the country in its own
right. and all arms and supplies and other
movable property of such government.
may be seized by the military occupant
ana converted to his own use. The real
property of the state he may hold and ad-
minister, at the same time enjoying the
revenues thereof, but he is not to destroy
1t, save In the case of military necessity.
Must BE No Wanton Destruction.
All churches and buildings devoted to
religious worship and to the arts and sci
ences. all schoolhouses are, so far az
possible, to be protected, and all destruc-
tion 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 ne.
cessity.
Private property taken for the use of
the army Is to be paid for when possible
IN cash at fair valuation, and when nav
ment IN cash Is not possible receipts are to
be given. ~
All ports and places in Cuba which NAV
De IN the actual possession of our Land
and naval forces will be opened to the
commerce con Of al neutral nations. as Wen a.
upon payment Of the prescribed ratss -
duty which may be in force al The time Of
the importation. 1890 ~
WILLIAM M'K1NLEY.
6y order Of the Secretary Of War:
H. - CoRBIN. Adjutant General"
Designs for Dewey. Sword.
WASHINGTON. Tnlv 81 l. IN 49, = q.