The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-07-22
CUBA'S GOVERNMENT.
President Mckinley Issues a Proc
lamation Reg arding Santiago.
Private Property to he Responsibilities
dom of the People to He Abridged Only
When Necessary-Supplies Taken
for Army to he Paid for.

IOhs uiy otoCO PoPOA
that will be historic, marking an
epoch in American history. was issued
last night by direction of President
Mckinley. 1t provides in general
terms for the government of the prov
ince of Santiago de Cuba and is the
first document of the kind ever pre-
pared by a president of the United
States. The paper is not only an au-
thoriZation and instruction of Gen.
Shafter for the government of the
captured territory, but also a procla-
nation to the people of the territory
of the intentions of the government of
the United States regarding them and
their interests. The full text of the
document is as follows:
To TIE Secretary Of War: Executive Man
sion, Washington, July 19-Sr The capitula-
ton OF the Spanish forces in Santiago de Cuba
and in the eastern part of the province of San
tiago and the occupation of the territory by
the forces of the United States, render it ne
cessary to instruct the military commander Of
the United States as to the conduct which he is
to observe during the military occupation
Private Rights BE Respected.
The first effect of the military occupation OF
the enemys territory is the severance of the
formal political relations OF the inhabitants
and the establishment Of political
power. Under this changed condition of things
the inhabitants. so long they perform their
duties. entitled to security in their persons
and property and in all their private rights
and relations 1t is my desire that the inhabit-
ants Of Cuba should be acquainted with the
purpose Of the United States to discharge to
the fullest extent its obligations in this regard
We Come Not to Make War.
1t will, therefore, be the duty Of the COM
mander Of the army Of occupation to announce
nnd proclaim in the most public manner that
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 employments and in their personal and
religious rights All persons who either by
active aid or by honest submission, cooperate
with the United States in it's efforts to give eff
feet to this benefcent purpose, will receive the
reward of its support and protection. Our oc-
cupation should be as free from severity as
possible
Present Judges Not to Be DIsturbed.
Though the powers Of the military occupant
are absolute and supreme, and Immediately
operate upon the political condition of the in
habitantS, the municipal laws OF the conquered
territory such affect private rights of per-
son and property and provide for the punish
ment 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 occupying belligerent, and
in practice they not usually abrogated. but
are allowed to remain in force and to be ad-
ministered by the ordinary tribunals subStan-
TALLY as they were before the occupation
This enlightened practice is. so far possible.
to be adhered to on the present occasion The
judges and the other officials connected with
the administration Of justice may, il they ac-
cept the supremacy of the United States, con-
tinue to administer the ordinary law of the
land as between man and man, under the
perviSion Of the American commander-in-
chief The native constabulary will. so far as
may be practicable. be preserved. The FREQ
dom Of the people to pursue their accustomed
be necessary to do SO.
Authority of Military Command Supreme.
While the rule of conduct of the American
commander-in-chief will be such as has just
been defined. it will be his duty to adopt meas
ures Of q different kind, If, unfortunately, the
course of the people should render such meas
ures Indispensable to the maintenance Of law
and order. He will then possess the power to re-
place. or expei the native officials, in part or
altogether. to substitute new courts Of his own
constitution for those that now exist to
create such new or supplementary tribunals as
may be necessary.
Churches and Schools Undisturbed.
One Of the most important and most practi-
cal problems with which it will be necessary
to deal is that of the treatment of property and
the collection and administration Of the reve-
uues 1t is conceded that all public funds and
securities belonging to the government Of the
country in its own right, and all arms and sup
plies and other movable property of such gov
eminent, may be seized by the military occu-
pant and converted to his own use The real
property Of the state he may hold and admin
lister, 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 transportation such telegraph lines
cables. railways and boats belonging to
the state may be appropriated to his use.
but, unless in of military necessity,
they are not to be destroyed All churches
and buildings devoted to religious worship
and to the arts and sciences, all schoolhouses.
are. so far possible. to be protected. and all
destruction or intentional DETACHMENT of such
places. of historical monuments or archives, or
of works of science art is prohibited, save
when required by urgent military necessity
Private property, whether belonging to indi-
viduals or corporations. is to be respected. and
can be confiscated only as hereafter indicated.
Means of transportation, such as telegraph
lines and cables railways and boats may, al
though they belong to private individuals or
corporations be seized by the military occu-
pant but unless destroyed under military ne
cessity, are not to be retained
Revenues to Be Judiciaily Expended
While it is held to be the right Of the con-
queror to levy contributions upon the enemy in
their seaports, towns or provinces which may
be in his military possession by conquest, and
to apply the proceeds to defray the expense of
the war, this right Is to be exercised within
such limitations that it may not SAVIOR of con-
6scation-. AS the result Of military occupation
the taxes and duties payable By the inhab-
itantS to the former government become pay
able to the military occupant unless he sees
fit to substitute for them other rates or modes
OF contribution to the expenses Of the govern
ment The moneys collected are to be used
for the purpose of paying the expenses of gov
eminent under the military occupation. such
as the salaries of Judges and the police and for