The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-07-23
new LAWS FOR SANTIAGO
President Mckinley Dictates Regu-
lations for the Government
of the Cuban City.
MARKS AN EPOCH IN AMERICAN HISTORY
American Supremacy Guarded
Former Officials to Continue to
serve conquered Ports Thrown
Open to Neutral Nations.

that will be historic, marking I'm 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 Ivy 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 President's Proclamation.
Executive Mansion. Washington. July
capitulation Of the Spanish forces in santi-
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 1t necessary to In
struct the military commander Of the Unit
ed States as to the conduct which he 10 to
observe during the military occupation.
Purpose of the Government.
'"The first effect OF the military occupa-
ton OF the enemy's territory 10 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 Inhabitants. 80 long a.
they perform their duties, are entitled to
in all their private rights and relations. It
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, It 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 All
persons who. either by active aid or by
honest submission. cooperate with the
fpf In ifo orrt,,
this beneficent purpose will receive the re-
ward OF its support and protection. Our
occupation should be as free from severity
as possible.
Existsng Laws Continued.
Though the powers OF the military &C.
cupant are absolute and supreme, and i'm
mediately 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 as 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 ton, 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 II
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 pra cticahle
be preserved. The freedom OF the people
to pursue their accustomed occupations
will be abridged only when 1t may be nec-
essary to do 80.
Commander Given High Powers.
he rule oPo
lean commander in chief will be such as
has just been defined. 1t will be his duty
to adopt measures of a different kind, IT,
unfortunately. the course Of the people
to the maintenance of law and order He
will then possess the power to replace or
expel the native officials in part or alto
Sether, to substitute new courts Of his own
constitution for those that now exist, or
to create such new or supplementary
tribunals as may be necessary. In the ex-
ercise Of these high powers the COM
nander must be guided by his judgment
and his experience, and high sense of
justice.
"One Of the most important and most
practicable problems with which 1t will be
necessary to deal is that of the treatment
istration of revenues 1t is conceded that
all public funds and securities belonging to
the government Of the country in its own
right. ana all arms and supplies and other
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
1t, save In the case OF military necessity.
All public means of transportation, such
as telegraph lines. cables. railways and
boats belonging to tho state may be ap-
propriated to his use but unless in case
OF military necessity they are not to be de-
stroyed.
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 monuments or archives
or Of works Of science or art 10 prohibited,
save when required by urgent military ne
cessity.
Private Property to he Respected.
Private property. whether belonging to
individuals or corporations, is to be re-
spected. and can be confiscated only as
hereafter indicated. Means Of Transports
ton. such as telegraph lines and cables,
railways and boats, may, although they
belong to private individuals or corpora
lions. be seized by the military occupant.
but unless destroyed under military neces.
sity are not to be retained.
private property taken for the use of
the army Is to be paid for when possible
in cash at q fair valuation. and when pay
ment IN cash Is not possible receipts are to
he given.
Should Not SAVIOR of Connscation.
while It Ia held to be the right of tho
conQuerors to levy contributions upon the
enemy In their seaports, towns or prov.
inces which may be in his military possess
sion by conquest and to apply the pro-
ceeds to defray the expense Of the war.
this right Is to be exercised within such
limitations that 1t may not SAVIOR Of con.
fscation. AS the result Of military occu-
patton the taxes and duties payable by the
inhabitants to the former government be-
come payable to the military occupant. un-
less he sees fit to substitute for them other
rates or modes Of contribution to the ex.
penses Of the government. The moneys 90
collected are to be used for the purpose Of
paying the expenses OF the government un-
der the military occupation, such as the
salaries Of the judges and the police. and
for the payment OF the expenses Of the
army.
IAN 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 nations. as well as
our own. In articles not contraband Of war,
upon payment Of the prescribed rates 81
duty which may be In force al the time OF
the Importation.
WILLIAM M'KlNLEY.
"I3y Order CT the Secretary of War:
"I G Cc''sIN t1i,,-..,. -r-sl.'