Griggs courier., 1898-07-29
MW LAWS TOR SANTIAGO
President Mckinley Dictates Regu-
lations for the Government
Of the Cuban City.

40IlOuS 1OI IUe VVveIumSAS
Of the Cuban City.
MARKS AN EPOCH IN AMERICAN HISTORY
The Rights Of All whs Recognise
American Supremacy Guarded
Former Omcials to Continue to
Serve e-Conqaered Ports Thrown
Open to Neutral Nations.
Washington, July ia state paper
that will be historic, marking an epoch
in. American history, was issued Mon
day by direction of President McKin-
ley. 1t provides in general terms for
the government of Santiago de Cuba
and is the first document of the kind
ever prepared by president of the
United States. By order of Secretary
Alger, Adjt. Gen. Corbin cabled the
document to Gen. Shafter, in command
of the military forces at Santiago.
The President's Proclama ton.
Executive Mansion. Washington. July
1e. lS9S.-To the Secretary of War.-Sir: The
capitulation of the Spanish forces in santi-
the province Of Santiago and the occupa-
tion Of the territory by the forces Of the
United States render 1t necessary to in-.
struct the military commander of the Unit
ed States as to the conduct which he is to
observe during the military occupation.
Purpose of the Government.
'"rhe first effect OF the military occupa-
tion Of the enemy's territory Is the sew
erance of former political relations Of the
inhabitants and the establishment of new
political power. Under,this changed condi-
tion of things the Inhabitants. 50 long as
they perform their duties. are entitled to
security in their persons and property and
in all their private rights and relations. It
Is my desire that the Inhabitants Of Cuba
should be acquainted with the purpose OF
the United States to discharge to the fullest
extent its obligations in this regard. It will
therefore be the duty of the commander Of
the army Of occupation to announce and
we come not to make war upon the in
habitants 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 submission. cooperate with the
United States In its efforts to give effect to
this benefcent purpose will receive the re-
ward Of its support and protection. Our
occupation should be as free from severity
as possible.
Existing Laws Continued.
Though the powers Of the military oc.
cupant are absolute and supreme and inn
mediately operate upon the political con-
ditton OF the Inhabitants. the municipal
laws OF the conquered territory. such as
affect private rights Of persons 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 sus-
pended or superseded by the occupying
belligerent: and in practice they are not
usually abrogated. but are allowed to re-
main in force. and to be administered by
the ordinary tribunals. substantially as
they were before the occup ation This
enlightened practice is. SO far as possible.
to be adhered to on the present occasion.
The judges and other officials connected
with the administration Of justice may, IL
they accept the supremacy of the United
States. continue to administer the ordinary
law of the land. as between man and man.
under the supervision Of the American
commander in chief. The native con-
stabulary will. SO far as may be practicable,
be preserved. The freedom Of the people
will be abridged only when it may be nec-
essary to do so.
Commander Given High Powers.
while the rule of conduct of the Amer
ican commander in chief will be such as
has just been defined. 1t will be his duty
u.
unfortunately. the course Of the people
should render such measures Indispensable.
to the maintenance of law and order. He
will then possess the power to replace or
expel the native officials in part or alto
gether. to substitute new courts of his own
constitution for those that now exist, or
to create such new or supplementary
tribunals as may be necessary. In the ex-
ercise of these high powers the COM
mander must be guided by his judgment
and his experience. ana a high sense Of
justice.
zone Of the most important and most
practicable problems with which it will be
necessary to deal Is that of the treatment
of property and the collection and admn-
tstration Of revenues 1t 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
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
revenues thereof, but he is not to destroy
1t. save in the case Of military necessity
Must BE No Wanton Destruction.
ALI churches and buildings devoted to.
religious worship and to the arts and sci
ences. all schoolhouses are, so far as
possible. to be protected. and all destruc-
tion or intentional DETACHMENT of such
places. OF historical monuments or archives
or of works Of science or art is prohibited.
save when required by urgent military ne
cessity.
Private property taken for the use Of
the army is to be paid for when possible
in cash at a fair valuation, and when nav.
ment in cash is not possible receipts are to
be given.
All ports and places in Cuba which NAV
be tn the actual possession Of our land
ana naval forces will be opened to the
commerce Of all neutral nations. az wen as
our own. in articles not contraband ofw war.
upon payment Of the prescribed rates Of
duty which may be in force AT the time OF
the Importation.
WILLIAM M'K1NLEY.
by Order ct the Secretary Of War:
H. c. CORBIN. Adjutant General"
San Francisco Harbor Mines.
San Francisco, July 23.-No action