River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-07-21
1T MARKS AN EPOCH.
Presidents Proclamation for Govern
ment of Captured Territory
First Ever Issued.

FlFst Ever issued.
Washington, July ia state paper
that will be historic, marking an 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 by a president Of the
United States. Gen. Shafter is in
structed TO have the document pub
lished in such manner in both English
and Spanish as will give it the widest
circulation in the territory under his
control. The full text of the document
follows:
Executive Mansion, Washington, July
IS, lS9S.-To the Secretary OF War.-Sir: The
capitulation Of the Spanish forces in Santi-
ago de Cuba and IN the eastern part OF
the province of Santiago and the occupa-
tion of the territory by the forces OF the
United States render Il necessary TO in
struCt the military commander of the Unit
ed States as TO the conduct which he is to
observe during the military occupation,
The first effect Of the military occupa-
ton OF the enemys territory is the sew
erance of former political relations Of the
Inhabitants and the establishment Of new
political power. Under this changed Condi-
ton of things the Inhabitants so long as
they perform their duties, are entitled to
security In their persons and property, and
in all their private rights and relations. 1t
is my desire that the inhabitants Of Cuba
should be acquainted with the purpose Of
the United States TO discharge to the fullest
extent its obligations in this regard II will
therefore be the duty OF the commander Of
the army of occupation 10 announce and
01as i'm,
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 I'm
their personal and religious rights All
persons who. either by active aid or by
honest submission, cooperate with the
United States in Its efforts to give effect TO
this benehcert purpose will receive the re-
ward of its support and protection. our
occupation should be as free from severity
as possible.
Though the powers Of the military oc-
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 he punishment of
crime, ire 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
bellgerent; 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 occupation 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 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
commander-in-chlef The native con-
stabulary will, so far as may be practicable
be preserved The freedom of the people
to pursue their accustomed occupations
will be abridged only when it may Be nee
essary to do so.
While the rule Of conduct Of the Amer
ican commander-in-chief will be such as
has Just been defined. It will he his duty
to adopt measures Of a different kind. If,
unfortunately, the course Of the people
should render such measures indispensable
to the maintenance of law and order. He
will then possess the power to replace or
eXpel the native officials in part or alto
gether 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
mander must be guided by his judgment
justice.
zone of the most important and most
practicable problems with which it will be
necessary to deal is that of the treatment
of property and the collection and admins
tration of revenues IT is conceded that
all public funds and securities belonging to
the government Of the country In its own
right, and all arms and supplies and other
movable property Of such governme mt,
may be seized by the military occupant
and converted to his own use. The real
property Of the state he may hold and ad
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 the state may be ap-
| propriated TO his use, but unless in case
of military necessity they are not to be de-
stroyed
"An churches and buildings devoted to
religious worship and to the arts and sci
ences. all schoolhouses are, so far as
possible to be protected, and all destruc-
ton or in+en tiauaI defacernert nf such
places, of historical monuments or archives
or OF works Of science or art is prohibited,
save when required by urgent military
necessity.
Private property, whether belonging to
individuals or corporations, Is to be re-
speCted, and can be condsCated only as
hereafter indicated. Means Of transporta-
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 70 be retained,
Private property taken for the use OF
the army is TO be paid for when possible
in cash a a fair valuation, and when pay
ment in cash IS not possible receipts are to
"While Il IS held to be the right of the
conQuerOrs TO levy contributions upon the
enemy In their seapoTts, towns or prov
inces which may be in his military posses
sion by conquest and to apply the pro
ceeds to defray the expense of the war,
this right is 70 be exercised within such
limitations that Il 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, I'M
less he sees fit TO substitute for them other
rates or modes of contribution to the tN-
penses Of the government. The moneys so
collected are to be used for the purpose OF
paying the expenses Of the government I'M
der the military occupation. such rs the
salaries Of the judges and the police. ard
for the payment 81 Che, expenses Of the
"AIl ports and places IN Cuba which may
be in the actual possession Of our land
and naval forces VIII be opened to the
our own, In articles not contrahand Of war.
upon payment Of the prescribed rates OF
duty which may be In force at the time OF
the Importation
civilian MKTNLEY.
"By order Of the Secretary of War:
III. G. CORBIN, Adiutant General"