New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-19
TO GOVERN SANTIAGO.
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY OUT
LINES HIS PLANS.
FREEDOM AS THE PEOPLE OF
THE UNITED STATES.

II pIONIlco III ScucIdl lcElus lot to9clu-
ment Of the Province Of Santiago de Cuba. and
is the first document Of the kind ever prepared
by President Of :he United States.
BY order Of Secretary Alger, AdjutantGen-
eral Corbin tonight cabled the document to
General Shafter, In command Of the military
forces at Santiago. The paper is rot only an
authorization and instruction Of General Shat
ter for the government Of the captured terri
tory. but also proclamation to the people OF
the territory Of the intentions Of the Govern
ment of the United States regarding them and
their interests. 1t marks the formal establish
ment Of 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 rela-
tions. as we'll as security to their persons and
property. The full text Of the document is az
follows:
THE PRESIDENTS DOCUMENT.
Adjutant-Generafs Of1ce.
Washington July 1s. 1893
General Shafter, Santiago, Cuba.
The following is sent you for your informa'
tlon and guidance II will be published In such
manner in both English and Spanish, as will
give it the widest circulation in the territory
under your control:
Executive Mansion.
washington, July Is, 1898
ITO the Secretary Of War
Sir: The captu,ation Of the Spanish forces
IN Santiago de Cuba and in the eastern part OF
oofc CO.. nd
Of the territory by the forces Of the United
States render 1t necessary TO instruct the MILL
tary commander of the United States as TO tho
conduct which he is TO observe during the MILL
tary occupation.
The first effect of the military occupation or
the enemy's territory Is the severance OF the
former political relations of the inhabitants and
the establishment Of a new political power
Under this changed condition of things, the In
habitants so long as they perform their duties
are entitled to security in their persons ana
property and in all their private rights and re-
lations. 1t is my desire that the inhabitants or
Cuba shouli be acquainted with the purpose or
the United States to discharge 10 the fullest ex-
tent its obligations in this regard
TO ENJOY AMERICAN FREEDOM
"It will. therefore be the duty OF the COM
mander of the army Of occupation to announce
and proclaim In the most public manner that
We come not 10 make war upon the lnhaDltahiS
of Cuba, nor upon any party or factlon among
them. but TO protect them in their homes, IN
their enployments and In their personal ana
religious rights. All persons who, either oy
active a.d or by honest submission, cooperate
with the United States in its efforts 10 give el-
feet TO this benefcent purpose VIII receive tho
reward Of its support apd protection Onr oc-
cupation should be as free from severity as
possible
Though the powers Of the military occupant
are absolute and supreme, and Immediately
opcrate upon the political condition OF the IN
habitants. the municipal laws OF tie conquered
territory such as affect private rights or person
and property, and provide for the punishment
Of crime ere considered rs continuing III lorce'
so far as they are compatible with the new con-
diricn of things, until they are suspended or
supe rseded by the occupying bellieertnt, and IN
practice they are not usually abrogated but are
allowed 10 remain in force and 10 be admins
tered by the ordinary tribunals substantially AS
they we're before tho occupation. This enlight-
ened practice is. so far as possible. 10 be ad-
hered TO on the present occasion.
JUDGES TO RETAIN OFFICE.
The iudges and the other officials connected
with the administrators OF justice may, II they
accept the supremacy Of the United States con-
ttnue to administer the ordinary law or the iano'
as between man and man. under the supervision
of the American Commander-in-Chlet Inc
native constabrlary will. so far as may be prac-
ticable be pre-, erved. The freedom or the peo'
ME 70 pursue their accustomed occupations WIZ
he abridged only when Il may be necessary 70
do So
"While the rule OF conduct OF the American
Commander.in- chief will be such as has JUST
been defined IL will be his duty 10 ADOPT Meas
ures of a different kind IT, unfortunately tno
course of the people should render such meas
ures indispensable 10 the maintenance or law
and order He will then possess the power 10
ranlsce or expel the native officials IN part or
altogether 70 substitute new courts or his own
constitution for those that now exist, or 10
create such new or supplementary tribunals as
NAV be necessary. In the exercise or these hign
powers the Commander must be guided by his
Judgment and his experience and high sense
Of Justice
COLLECTION OF REVENUES.
"One of the most important and most pracu-
cal problems with which it will be necessary
TO deal is thar Of the treatment OF property aud
the collection and administration Of the reye-
nues II Is conceded that all public funds and
securities belonging TO the Government of the
country in its own right and all arms and
supplies and other movable property OF such
Government may be seized by the military
occupant and converted TO his own use. The
real property of the State he may hold and ad-
minister at the same time enjoying the reve-
nues thereof. but he is not to destroy ii save In
the case of military necessity.
"All public means Of transportation. such as
telegraph lines. cables railways and boats be-
longing 10 the State may be appropriated 10
~, - h,t rnless In Ease Of military neces-