The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-22
N OUR HISTORY.
Paper Regarding
Foreign Territory.
ORDERS TO SKATER.

HI 81 w SsS~
Through the Province for Instruction
of the Observation-Disclosures of
New Political Power In the Province
of Santfago de Cuba.
Washington. July 1s.-A state paper
that will be historic, marking an epoch
in American history, was issued to-
night by direction of President Mckin-
ley. 1t provides, in general terms, for
the government of the province OF
Santiago de Cuba and is the first doc
ument of the kind ever prepared by a
president of the United States.
By order of Secretary Alger, Adju-
document to General Shafter, in COM
mand of the military forces at Santi-
ago.. The paper is not only an author
ization and instruction TO General
Shafter for the government of the cap
tured territory, but also a proclama-
ton to the people of the territory of
the intentions of the government of
the United States regarding them
and their interests. 1t marks the
formal establishment Of a new po-
litical power in the island of Cuba
and inSureS to the people OF the
territory over which the power ex-
tends absolute security in the eXer-
else of their private rights and re-
latiOns, as we'll as security to their
persons and property. The full text
of the document is as follows:
washington, July IS.
General Chatter, Santiago de Cuba:
THE following is sent Q for your
information and guidance. 1t will be
| published in such manner, in both En-
glish and Spanish, as will give it the
widest circulation in the territory I'M
der your control:
Executive Mansion,
washington, July IS, 1898.
ITO the Secretary of War:
Sir: The capitulation of the Span
ish 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 commander of the United
States as to the onduc which he
is to observe during the military occu-
patton.
The first effect of the military Oc-
cupatiOn Of the enemy's territory is
the severance OF the former pOllLlCdl
relations of the inhabitants, and the
establishment of a new political pow
err. Under this changed condition Of
things the inhabitants so long as they
perform their duties, are entitled to
security in their persons and prop
erty, and in all their private rights
and relations. 1t is my desire that the
+ nabitants of Cuba should be ac-
quainted with the purpose of the Unit
cd SfotaC TO 6iCohorUn 70 tho f1llncf
extent it's obligations in this regard.
1t 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
a war upon the inhabitants of Gu
ha, 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 ac-
tive aid or by homes submission, CO.
operate with the United States in it's
efforts to give effect to this beneficent
purpose will receive the reward of it's
support and protection. Our occupa-
ton shall be as free from severity as
| possible.
Though the powers of the military
occup ut are absolute and supreme
and Immediately operate upon the po-
illiCd1 cO1UlIlOH OI the 1lndDlCdnIS
the municipal laws of the conquered
territory, such as effect private rights
of person and property, and provide
for the punishment of crime, are con-
sidered 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 occupy
ing belligerent and in practice they are
not usually abrogated, but are al
/ 1nuvn6 fn rarooin in foroa or1 ~ ho
administered by the ordinary tribu-
mails substantially as they were be-
fore the occupation. This enlightened
practice is, SO far as possible, to be
adhered to on the present occasion.
The judges and the other officials con-
nected with the administ. ton of JUS
tice may, if they accept the suprema-
cy of the United States, continue to
administer the ordinary law Of the
land, as between man and man, under
the supervision of the American COM
mander-in-chief. The native constab-
ulary will, so far as may be practi-
cable, be preserved. The freedom of
the people to pursue their accustomed
occupations will be abridged only
when it may be necessary to do so.
while the rule of conduct of the
American cOmmander-in-chief will be
such as has just been defined, it will
NC HlS Outy ~ duOpl HfedSUTeS OI d UII~
ferent kind, if, unfortunately, the
course of the people should render
such measures indispensable to the
maintenance of law and order. He will
n possess the power to replace or
expel the native officials in part or
altogether, 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 exercise of these
high powers the commander must be
guided by his judgment and by his
experience and a high sense Of jus
tice.
"One of the most important and most
practical problems with which it will
) be necessary TO deal is that OF the
treatment of the property and the col
lection and administration OF reve-
nues. 1t is conceded that all public
funds and securities belonging to the
government Of the country in its owl
right and all arms and supplies and
other movable property Of such gov.