New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-20
The Daily and Sunday Tribune for out
Of-f07Un readers. 81 a month. Changes Of
address gfve no fonble
CIVIL GOVERNMENT At SANTIAGO

The solid Judgment ard supreme sense OF
Justice which mark the course of President
Mckinley have rarely been more clearly DIS
played than in his order regarding the govern
ment Of Santiago PROVINCE. problem which
many have feared might cause great difficulty
Is solved with needful promptnesS, and yet By
provisions so elastic that they seem fitted TO
meet any emergency. The plan Is In strict ac-
cord with wel-established principles Of interna-
tlonal law. All the property Of the former Gov
ernment and all public means OF transporta-
top are taken by the military occupant for his
own use, but not TO be destroyed unless In case
of military necessity All private property Is
10 be respected and If seized in case Of neces-
sity 10 be paid for at fair valuation. All pub
lie buildings churches schools, historical mOnu-
mcnts archives and works Of science and art
are to he protected from injury. All Inhabitants
who live peacefully and observe order are TO be
protected In their homes in their employments
and in their personal and religious rights.
All persons who. either by active aid or by
honest submission, cooperate with tho United
States in It's efforts to give effect TO this beneh
cent purpose will receive the reward OF its sup
port and protection Our occupation should be
as free from seI Gritty as possible
To this end the municipal laws Of the con-
oucred territory are continued in force until
altered or superseded by military regulations
found necessary. aud the present officials and
courts. IF they accept the supremacy of the
United States" are 10 continue the admlnlstra-
ton of laws rcder supervision Of the American
Commander Chief But II the conduct Of the
officials or Of the people renders it necessary
new officials and courts will be created. The
existing Spanish tariff purged of extortionate
ic in f1rCn
under officers Ct the United States selected to
collect the revenGe, and the port Is declared
open to all neutral vessels for oil trade except
In contraband Of wcr.
This plan has been much opposed by some
Cubans who wished TO have the civil govern
ment Of the conquered territory turned over to
them But the President recognizes the fnct
that they have as yet no established local gov
eminent, nor any organization known TO repre-
sent the will Of the Cubans themselves Thcre
is as vet no evidence that they are prepared to
live nt peace. In strict obedience to law. with
Aaye been fighting bitterly. 1t is not the duty
Vsor Is IT the right OF the United States to turn
over the peaceful inhabitants Of the conquered
territory to the mercy of irresponsible and pos
sibly vindctve insurgents. The conqueror Is
bound. under international law, TO maintain
order and preserve property and hold the terri
tory until by treaty of peace the Spanish au-
thorlty Is permanently terminated and that
duty the United States cannot perform through
the agency Of those whose bitterness against
Spanish inhabitants has but too much excuse
In past oppression and barbarity First the
people must learn to appreciate ana enjoy
American freedom, and then they may be com
petent to establish and uphold government
which shall secure equal rights to all peaceable
citizens.
1t has also been objected that the Spanish
thrift and domestic laws are not ft for continu-
apce II So any or all Of their provisions can
be suspended or altered any day by military
orders. The thing Immediately necessary Is