The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-07-20
THE PRESIDENTS
PROCLAMATION.
A State Paper That Will
Mark an Epoch in Amer
ica's History.

ica's History.
Washington, July 18.-A state pa
per that will be historic. making an
epoch in American history, was is
sued to night by direction of P-esi-
dent Mckinley
1t provides in general terms for
the government of the province Of
Santiago dc Cuba and the first docu-
ment of the kind ever prepared by
President of the United States.
By order of Secretary Alger, adj
Gen Corbin to night cabled the doc
umeut to General Shafter. in com
mand of the military forces at San
tiago The paper is not only an an
thorization and instruction to Gen.
Shafter for the government of the
captured territory. but also procia-
mation to the people of the territory
of the intentions of the government
of the United States regarding them
and their interests 1t make the
formal establishment Of new pcliti-
cal power in the island of Cuba and
insures to the people of the territory
over which the power extends abso-
lutte security in the exercise of their
private rights and relations. as well
as security to their personal property.
The full text of the document is as
follows
Adjutan, Generals Office.
Washington, July Is. 1898.
Gen. Shafter, Santiago, Cuba:
The following ie sent you for your
information aud guidance 1t will be
published in such manner in both
English and Spanish as will give it
the widest circulation in the terri
tory under your control:
Executive Mansion.
Washington, July ls, 1893.
To the Secretary of War:
Sir The capi.ulation 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 conduct which be 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 political
relations Of the inhabitants, aud the
establishment of d new political pow
er. Uunder this changed condition
of things, the inhabitants, SO long as
they perform their duties, are en-
titled to security in their persons and
property, and il all their private
rights and relations 1t is my de-
sire that the inhabitants of Cuba
should be acquainted with the pur.
pose of the United States, to dis
charge to the fullest extent it's obli-
cations in this regard 1t will, there
fore, be the duty of the commander Of
the army of occupation to announce
and proclaim in the most public man
ner tia, 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 employments, and in
the personal and religious rights. All
persons, who, either by active or
by honest submission. CO operate
with the United States in its efforts
to give effect to this bene6c,ent pur.
pose, will receive the reward of its
support and protection Our occu-
patton shall be as free from severity
as possible.
Though the powers of the mill
tary occupant are absolute and su-
preme and Immediately operate upon
the political condition of the inhabi-
tants, the municipal laws of the con-
quered territory, such as effect pri-
vate rights of person and property,
and provide for the punishment of
crime, are considered as continuing
in force, 80 far as they are compatible
with the pew order Of things, until
they are suspended or superseded by
the occupying belligerents and in
practice they are not usually abro
gated, but are allowed to remain in
force and to be administered By the
ordinary tribunals, substantially sa
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 ad-
ministration of justice may. if they
accept the supremacy Of the United
States, continue to administer the or.
dinary law Of the land, as between
man and man Under the supervis