The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-19
.LAVSF()RTHE NNLAND
State Paper on Government Of
Santiago.
LIBERTY IN EVERY LINE.
Proclamation Marks a New Epoch
in History.

Inhabitants Entitled to Security in
Their Persons and Property and in
All Their Private Rie.hts and Re-
Iations-NIunicipaI Laws of the
Territory Considered Continued in
Force--JudGcs to Continue 10 Ad-
minister the Ordinary Law of the
Land Under the Supervision of the
American Chief.
Washington. July 1S.--A state paper that
viii be historic. marking an epoch IN
American history, was issued tonight by
direction of President Mckinley.
1t provides in general terms for the gov
ernment Of the province OF Santiago lie
Cuba, and is the first document of the
kind ever prepared by a President Of the
United States
BY order Of Secretary Alger Adjt Gen.
Corbin tonight cabled the document to
Cen. Shafter, in command Of the military
forces at Santiago.
The paper is not only an authorize ton
and instruction to Gen. Shafter for the
government of the captured territory, but
also proclamation to the people of the
territory Of the intentions Of the govern
nent 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 insures to the people of the territory
over which the power extends absolute
security in the exercise of their private
rights and realizations, as well as security
TO their persons and propertv The fun
text of the document is- as foilows:
Adjutant Generals ONCE Washington.
July 1S, 1S9S.-Gen. shafter, Santiago,
Cuba:
The following is sent you for your in
formation and guidance. 1t viii be pub
lished in such manner in both English
and Spanish as VIII give It The widest cir
cufation in the territory under your con-
troll:
Executive Mansion. Washington, July
IS. 1S9S.-To the Secretary of War: Sir
The capitulation of the Spanish forces in
Santiago de Cuba and in the eastern part
of the province of Santiago and tAe oc-
cupation of the territory by the forces Of
the United States render it necessary to
instruct the military commander of the
United States as 10 the conduct which he
is to observe during the military occupa-
tion.
The first effect of the military occupa-
ton of the enemy's territory Is the sever
ance of the former political relations Of the
inhabitants and the establishment of
new political power
Under this changed condition 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 pur-
pose Of the United States to discharge TO
the fullest extent its obligations in this
regard.
1t will, therefore, be the duty of the
commander Of the army Of occupation to
announce and proclaim in the most public
manner that we come not to make war
upon the inhabitants of Cuba, nor upon
any party or fraction among them, but to
protect them in their homes. in their en-
Payments and in their personal and relig-
ious rights
All persons, who, either by active aid
or by honest submission. co-operated with
the United States in its efforts to give
effect to this benefcient purpose. will re-
ceive the reward of its support and pro-
lection.
our occupation shall be as free from
severity as possible.
Though the powers Of the military oc-
cupant are absolute and supreme and inn
mediately operate upon the political con-
dition Of the inhabitants, the municipal
laws of the conquered territory, such as
affect private rights OF person and prop
erty 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, until they are
suspended or superseded by the occupy
ing belligerent, and In practice 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
enlightened practice is 50 far as possible,
to be adhered 10 on the present occasion.
The judges and the other officials con-
nected with the administration Of Justice
may, If they accept the supremacy Of the
United States continue to administer the
oIubhdTy law OF tne idhdi as between man
and man, under the supervision Of the
American commander-in-chief.
The native constabulary VIII, so far as
may be practicable, be preserved.
The freedom Of the people to pursue
their accustomed occupations shall be cur
tailed only when 1t may be necessary to do
so.
While the rule OF conduct of the Amer
lean commander-in-chief VIII be such as
has Just been defined il viii be his ,ufv
to adopt measures Of a different kind, II
the course Of the people
should render such measures Indispensable
10 the maintenance Of law and order.
t3e VIII then possess the power to re-
place or expel the native officials, IN part