Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-21
HOW TO
GOVERN.
n'Kinley Issues InstruC-
tons TO Shafter Re-
garding Santiago.
Old Order of Things Not
Be Disturbed Without
Just Cause.
Document Is Supposed to
Mark an Epoch in
American History.

Washington, July ia state paper
that will be historic, marking an
epoch in American history, was issued
last night by direction of the presi-
dent It provides in general terms
for the government of the province of
Santiago de Cuba, and is the first doc
ument of the kind prepared by a pres
ident of the United States. By order
of Secretary Alger, Gen. Corbin last
night cabled the document to Gen.
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
a proclamation to the people of the
territory of the intentions of the gov
erpment of the United States regard
ing them and their interests. 1t
marks the formal establishment of a
new political power in Cuba and in
sures to the people of the territory
over which our power extends abso-
lutte security in the exercise of their
private rights and relations, as well
as security to their persons and prop
erty. The text of the document fol-
lows:
"Adjutant Generals office, Washing
ton, July 1S.-General Shafter, San
tiago-The following is sent you for
your information and guild
ance. 1t will be published in such a
manner in both English and Spanish
as will give it the widest circulation
in the territory under your control:
Executive Mansion, Washington,
| July 1S.-To the Secretary of War,
| Sir:-The capituIation Of the Spanish
forces in the eastern part of the
province of Santiago and the occupa-
ton of the territory by the forces of
the United S ates render it necessary
to instruct the military commander or
the United States as to the conduct
which is to be observed during mill
tary occupation.
The first effect Of military occupa-
ton of an enemy's territory is sew
erance of the former political rela-
lions of the inhabitants and the estab-
lishment of a new political power.
Under this changed condition of
things, the inhabitants, so long as they
perform their duties, are entitled to
security in their persons and property
and in all of their private rights and
relations. It is my desire that the in
habitants of Cuba should be acquaint-
ed with the purpose of the United
States to discharge to the fullest eX-
tent its obligations in this regard. 1t
will therefore be the duty of the COM
mander of the army Of occupation to
announce and proclaim in the most
public manner that we do not intend
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 employments and
-, : I,o:, 81
who, either by active aid or by honest
submission, cooperate with the United
State in its efforts to give effect to
this beneficent purpose, will receive
the reward Of its support and protec-
ton. Our occupancy should be as
free from server;ty as possible.
Though the powers of a military
occupant are absolute and supreme
and Immediately operate upon the
inhabitants, the municipal laws of the
conquered territory, such as affect pTi-
vate rights of person and property 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
suspended or superseded by the oc-
cupying belligerents, and in practice
they are not usually abrogated, but are
allowed to remain in force and be adj
ministered by ordinary tribunals, sub
stantially as they were before occu-
patton. This enlightened practice is,
so far as possible, to be adhered to Oh
the present occasion. The judges and
other officials connected with the ad-
ministration 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 con-
stabulary. will, so far as may be prac-