Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-19
HISTORIC DOCUMENT.
FIRST OF ITS KIND FROM A PREsI-
DENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
THE GOVERNMENT OF SANTIAGO.
Proclamation to the People of Cuba
of Our Intentions With Respect to
Them - Instructions to General
Shafter.
Shafter.

| III nhtii1dn HloNOiJs Was lSsutu lO-UlSu
by direction OF President Mckinley.
1t provides In general terms for the
government of the province of Santiago
de Cuba, and is the first document of the
kind ever prepared by President Of the
United States.
, BY order of Secretary Alger, Adjutant-
General Corbin tonight cabled the docu-
ment to General Shafter, in command OF
: the military forces at Santiago. The
! paper is not only an authorization and
instruction to General Shafter for the
government of the captured territory, but
is also proclamation to the people of the
territory of the intentions of the Govern
ment of the United States regarding
them and their interests. 1t marks the
formal establishment of a new political
power in the Island OF Cuba, and insures
to the people OF the territory over which
the power extends absolute security in
the exercise Of their private rights and
relations. as well as security to their
persons and property.
The full text Of the document Is as fol-
lows:
rAdjutant-Generars Office,
Washington, July 18th.
General Shafter, Santiago, Cuba:
THE following is sent you for your in
formation and guidance. It will be pub
lished in such manner, In both English
and Spanish, as will give It the widest
circulation in the territory under your
control.
| PROCLA NATION.
Executive Mansion,
| "Washington, ID. c., July Is, 1898.
ITO the Secretary of War:
''Sr.-The capitulation of the Spanish
forces In Santiago de Cuba, and in the
| eastern part Of the province Of Santiago.
| and the occupation Of the territory by
the forces Of the United States. render
It necessary TO instruct the military com
mander of the United States as to the
conduct which he is to observe during the
military occupation.
'"The first effect OF the military occu-
| patton of an enemys territory Is the
severance Of the former political rela-
tions of the inhabitants, and the estab-
lishment of a new political power. Under
the changed condition of things, the in
habitants, so long as they perform their
duties, are entitled to security in their
persons and property, and in all their
private rights and relations. II is my de-
sire that the inhabitants IF Cuba should
be acquainted with the purpose of the
United States to discharge TO the fullest
extent its obligations in this regard.
WE PROPOSE PROTECTION.
at will, therefore, be the duty Of the
commander Of the army Of occupation 70
announce and proclaim in the most pub.
lie manner that we come not to make
war upon the inhabitants OF Cuba. nor |
upon any party or faction among them. |
but to protect them in their homes. I'm |
their employments, and in their personal |
and religious rights. All persons who. |
either by active aid OF by honest submis-
sion, cooperate with the United States
In its efforts to give effect to this benef-
cent purpose, VIII receive the reward of
its support and protection. Our occupa-
ton shall be as free from severity as
possible.
Though the powers OF the military oc-
cupant are absolute and supreme. and
Immediately operate upon the political
condition of the inhabitants. the munici-
pal laws Of the conquered territory, such
as affect the private rights of persons
and property, and provide for the punish
ment OF crime are considered as con-
tinuing in force, so far as they are COM
patible with the new order Of things.
until they are suspended or Superseded
by the occupying belligerent; and inprac-
tice they are not usually abrogated' bu,
are allowed to remain in force, and to be
administered by the ordinary tribunals.
substantially as they were before the oc-
cupation. This enlightened practice is. so
far as possible, to be adhered to on tbs1
present occasionf
PRESENT OFFICIALS TO CONTJNI-E
The judges and other officials con-
lected with the administration Of justice
may, II they accept the supremacy of the
United States, continue TO administer the
ordinary law of the land, as between man
'nd man, under the supervision of the
american eommander-in-chief. The ma
I've constabulary, will, so far as NAV be
Practicable. be preserved. The freedom of G
no people TO pursue their accustomed
occupations will be abridged only when it
nay be necessary TO do so.
while the rule for the conduct NJ tho
american commander-in-chief will be
uch as has just been defined, il will be
Is duty 10 adopt measures OF a different :
ind' II, unfortunately, the course of the 9
eople should render such measures indis-
ensable TO the maintenance of law ond "
rder. He will then possess the power to y
splace or expel the native officials in ii
art or altogether, to substitute new a
ourts of his own constitution for those II
lat now exist, or to create such new or q
tribunals as may be neces- o.
sry. In the exercise of these high | h
owers the commander must be guided by Il
Is judgment and his experience, and a a.
Ugh sense of justice. -
TREATMENT OF PROPERTY. lie
zone of tho most important and most al
actical problems with which it will be 10
to deal is that Of the treatment III
property and the collection and adj X
instration OF the revenues. II is con. III
ded that all public funds and securi- on
IS belonging TO the government OF the he
untry in its own right, and all arms nr
ID supplies and other movable property
such government may be seized by the M
llitary occupant and converted to his Al