The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-19
SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
As Far as Possible the Old Laws
Will Be Enforced.
IMPORTANT STATE PAPER
President Mckinley Tells Genera Shat
ter Just What to Do in Protecting
Life and Property In the Pro-
vince of Santiago.

Washington, July ia state paper
that will be historic. marking an epoch
In American history. was issued to-
night by direction of President McKin-
ley. 1t provides in general terms for
the government of the province of San
tiago de Cuba, and is the first document
Of the kind ever prepared by a president
of the United States. BY order of Sec
retay Alger, Adjutant General Corbin
tonight cabled the document to Cen
eral Shafter, in command of the mill
tary forces at Santiago. The paper is
not only an authorization and instyuc-
ton to General Shafter for the govern
ment of the captured territory. but also
a proclamation to the people of the ter
ritory of the intentions of the govern
ment of the United States regarding
them and their interests. 1t marks the
formal establishment of a new political
power in the island of Cuba, and IN
sures to the people of the territory over
which the power extends absolute Sc
curity in the exercise of their private
rights and relations, as well as security
to their persons and property. The full
text of the is as follows:
"Adjutant Generals Office, Washing
ton, ID. c., July Is, 1898.
General Shafter, Santiago, Cuba: The
following is sent you for your informa-
ton and guidance. 1t will be published
In such a manner, in both English ana
Spanish, as will give 1t the widest circu-
lation in the territory under your con-
troll:
Executive Mansion, Washington, D..
c.. July Is. 1S9s.-To the Secretary OF
War: Sir-The capitulation of the Span
ish forces in Santiago de Cuba and in
the eastern part of the province of san
tiago and the occupation of the terri
tory by the forces of the United States
render 1t necessary to instruct the mill
tary commander of the United States
as to the conduct which he Is to observe
during military occupation. The first
effect of the military occupation of the
enemy's territory is the severance OF
the former political relations of the in
habitants and the establishment OF a
new political power.
This changed the condition of things.
The inhabitants, so long as they per-
form their duties, are entitled to Sc
curity in their persons and property
and in all their private rights and rela-
tions. 1t is my desire that the inha5i-
tants of Cuba should be acquainted
with the purposes of the United States
to discharge, to the fullest extent, its
obligations in this regard. 1t will,
therefore, be the duty of the command
er of the army of occupation to an
nounce and proclaim in the most public
manner that 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 their personal and
religious rights. All persons who
either by active aid or by honest sub
mission to cooperate with the United
States in it's efforts to give effect to this
beneficent purpose will receive the re-
ward of its support and protection. Our
occupation should be as free from Sc
verify as possible.
Though the powers of the military
occupation are absolute and supreme
litical condition of the inhabitants, the
tory, such as affect private 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. unit they are suspended or SUI
p%erceded by the occupying belligerents.
And, in justice, they are not usually
~abrogated, but are allowed to remain
in force, and to be administered by the
ordinary tribunals substantially as they
were before the occupation. This en-
lightened practice is, so far as possible
to be adhered to on the present occa-
sion. The judges and the other officials
connected with the administration Cf