Evening star., 1898-08-17
MUST PRESERVE ORDER.
War Departments Instructions 4,
Gen. Lawt0n at Santiayo

War Departments Instructions to
Gen. LawtOn at Santiago.
The War Department last evening post
ed the following as a reply to an inquiry
from Maj Ger. Lawion, commanding the
Department of Santiago. for instructions
as to the policy to be observed toward the
Cubans that are within his military de-
partment:
Commanding General, Department Santa
go, Santiago, Cuba:
Replying to your message for instruc-
tions, the President directs that you be in
formed that the United States is RESPONSE
BILE for peace and must maintain order in
the territory surrendered and in your de-
partment and must protect all persons and
their property within said jurisdiction In
terference from any quarter Will not be
permitted. The Cuban insurgents should
be treated justly and literally, but they
with all others, must recognize the military
occupation and authority of the United
States and the cessation of hostiities pro-
claimed by this governments
You she uld see the insurgent leaders and
SO advise them.
By order of the Secretary of War
II. c. CORBlN, Adjutant General.
August IT, 1888.
The War Department did not make pub
lie the dispatch from Gen Lawton relative
to the Cubans in Santiago, but tine order
which Gen. Corbin sent to Gen. Lawton
indicates its nature Gen. lawton reports
that the Cubans are encamped about the
city and do not seem disposed 10 ACCEPT
the conditions imposed by the ar-nistice,
and some troubles have occurred.
The order means just what il says"
remarked Secretary Alger. The United
States government is in control of the sur
re enGered territory and is responsible for
the maintenance of peace. The laws of
this country must be obeyed. If there are
people in Santiago who are law abiding
anc peaceful this order has no reference
to them. If there are others who are Sc
ditiOuS and disposed to make trouble they
must pay the penalty of their disobedience.
whether they be Spaniards or Cubans. We
know no race color in this country in
the requirement of obedience to law and
we Will know none in Cuba. The position
which the President has taken will settle
the matter for the present and for all
time
Gradually the framework of a govern
nlent for the civil administration of affairs
In Cuba, Porto Rico and such portions of
the Philippines this government controls
is being formed The development of this
plan OF internal administration occupied
much of the attention of the cabinet yes
terday, and later Secretary Gage, Attorney
General Griggs, Postmaster General Smith
and Acting Secretary of State Moore held
two hours conference at the State De-
partment, going over the details Of estab-
fishing civil administration. Gen. Corbin
was present part of the time. AT the out
set the military authorities will be in
charge of all administrative affairs in Gu
ba, Porto Rico and other acquired posses
sons. But the military forces can do little
more than direct the orderly execution of
affairs. The carrying on of postal commu-
nicaticn, the collection of customs, etc,
are civil functions which will be taken in
hand by the appropriate bureaus here, the
entire work being under the protection of
the military authorities. Already steps have
been taken to restore mail communication
between this country and Cuba, but the
plans now under consideration are likely to
take in the question OF handling mail inside
of Cuba, Porto Rico and other points. A
mail steamer will leave New York today,
carrying the first lot of mail to Cuba which
has LETT New York since the war began.
The Spanish government has been quite
solicitous as to the method of administer
ing affairs in the Antilles, owing to the
large Spanish interests remaining there.
The French ambassador has received a
number of inquiries in this line, and these
have been laid before the State Depart
ment After the conference held there yes
terday afternoon, NJ. Thiebaut of the
French embassy called and was made ae-
uuainted with the general plans of this
government in restoring stable admins
tration throughout the Spanish West In
dies.