Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1898-07-29
NEW RULE IN CUBA.
President Mckinley Declares Laws
for Santiago.

A state paper that will be historic.
marking an epoch in American history,
was issued July IS by direction of Presi-
dent Mckinley.
1t provides in general terms for the gov
eminent of the province 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 Adjutant
General Corbin cabed the document TO
General Shafter in command of the mill
tary forces at Santiago. The paper IS not
only an authorization and instruction TO
General Shafter for the government OF
the captured territory, but also procla-
nation TO the people of the territory or
the intentions of the government of the
United States regarding them and their
interests.
1t marks the formal establishment of
new political power in the island of Cuba
and inSures the people of the territory
over which the power extends absolute
security in the exercise of their private
rights and relations as we'll security to
their persons and property. The full text
of the document is follows:
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 commander of
the United States as to the conduct which
he is to observe during the military oc-
cupation.
New Power IL Established.
'The first effect of the military occupa-
ton of the enemy's territory is the sever
ance of the former political relations of
the inhabitants and the establishment of
new political power. Under this
changed condition of things the inhabi-
tantS. so long as they perform their dut-
les, are entitled to security in their per-
sons and property. and in all their pri-
vate rights and relations. 1t is my de-
sire that the inhabitants of Cuba should
be acquainted with the purpose of the
United States to discharge to the fullest
extent their obligations in this regard.
1t will, therefore. be the duty of the COM
mander o. the army of occupation to an
nounce ard proclaim in the most public
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. in their en-
Payments and in their personal and re-
lgious rights.
"All persons who, either by active aid
or by honest submission. cooperate with
the United States in their efforts to give
effect to this benefcent purpose. will re-
ceive the reward of their support and
| free from severity as possible.
Municipal Laws to Stand.
Though the powers Of the military oc-
cupant absolute and supreme. and
| Immediately operate upon the political
| condition of the inhabitants, the munich
| pal laws of the conquered territory, such
as affect private rights of person and
| property, and provide for the punishment
| of crime, are considered as continuing in
| force. far they are compatible with
| the new order of things until they are
| suspended or superseded by the occupy
| ing belligerent. and I'm practice they are
| not usually abrogated, but are allowed to
remain in force and to be administered by
| the ordinary tribunals, substantially as
| they were before the occupation.
This enlightened practice is, as far
| as possible, to be adhered to on the pres
| ent occasion. The judges anu the other
| officials connected with the administra-
| ton 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 COM
| mander in chief. The native constabu-
| larry will, so far may be practicable,
| be preserved. The freedom OF the people
| to pursue their accustomed occupations
will be abridged only when it may be
necessary to do SO.
If the People Do Not Obey.
while the rule of conduct of the Amer
lean commander in chief will be such as
| has just been defined it will be his duty
| to adopt measures of a different kind If.
| unfortunately, the course of the people
| should render such measures indispens-
| able to the maintenance of law and order.
| He will then possess the power to re-
| place or expel the native officials in part
/ ,rtc,
| of his own constitution for those that
| now exist, or to create such new or sup
| Elementary tribunals as may be neceS-
| Sary. In the exercise of these high pow
ers the commander must be guided by
| his Judgment and his experience and a
| high sense of justice.
Belongings OF the Public.
Zone of the most important and most
| practical problems with which it will be
necessary TO deal is that OF the treatment
| of property and the collection and adj
| ministration of the revenues. 1t is con-
ceded that all public funds and securities
belonging to the government of the coun-
| try in its own right and all arms and sup
plies and other movable property of such
| government may be seized by the mill
| tary occupant and converted to his own
use. The real property Of the state he
may hold and administer. at the same
| time enjoying the revenues thereof, but
he is not to destroy it, save in the case
| of military necessity.
| ''All public means OF transporta ton
such as telegraph lines, cables. railways
and boats belonging to the state may be
appropriated to his use. but. unless in
case of military necessity, they are not
to be destroyed.
"Au churches and buildings devoted tc
religious worship and to the arts and sci
ences and all schoohouses are. SO far as
possible to be protected. and all destruc-
ton or intentional DETACHMENT of such
places. OF historical monuments or arch
ives or of works of science art is pro
| hibited, save when required by urgent
military necessity.
Private Property Respected.
| Private property whether belonging