The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-07-22
CUBA'S GOVERNMENT
President Mckinley Issues a Proc
lamation Regarding Santiago.
TIE FULL TEXT OF THE DOCUMENT.
Private Property to BE Kespected-Free
dom of the People to BE Abridged Only
when Necessary-supplies Taken
for Army to he Paid for.

washington, July lJ'-A blhte pdptT
that will be historic, marking an
epoch in American history, was issued
last night by direction of President
Mckinley. 1t provides in general
terms for the government of the prov
ince of Santiago de Cuba and is the
first document of the kind ever pre-
pared by a president of the United
States. The paper is not only an au
thorization and instruction of Gen.
Shafter for the government Of the
captured territory but also a procla-
nation to the people of the territory
of the intentions of the government of
the United States regarding them and
their interests. The full text of the
document is as follows:
To the Secretary OF War Executive Man
sion, Washington, July i9-Sir The capitula-
tion Of the Spanish forces in Santiago de Cuba
and In the eastern part OF the province OF San
tiago and the occupation Of the territory by
the forces OF the United States, render IL me-
cessnry to instruct the military commander OF
the United States as 20 the conduct which he is
TO observe during the military occupation
The first effect Of the military occupation OF
the enemy's territory is the severance Of the
formal political relations OF the inhabitants
and the establishment OF y 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 inhabit-
ants Of Cuba should be acquainted with the
purpose OF the United States TO discharge to
the fullest extent its obiR ations in this regard
II 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 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 md in their personal and
religious rights. All persons who, either by
active aid or by hones' submission, cooperate
with the United States in It's efforts to give ef =
feet TO this benetcent purpose, will receive the
reward Of its support and protection. Our &C.
cup0tion should be as free from severity as
possible.
Though the powers Of the military occupant
are absolute and supreme, and Immediately
operate upon the poll, cal condition of the in
habitants the municipal laws OF the conquered
territory, such AFFECT private rights Of per-
son and property and provide for the punish
meat OF crime. are considered aS continuing in
force, sofar as they ar compatible with the ne "
order Of things, until they are suspended OF
superseded by the occupying belligerent, and
In practice they are not usually abrogated, but
are allowed to remain In force. and TO be adj
JnlhlStertu ny tnt OfulnurN trlDuuuls suDslan-
tally as they were before the occupation.
This enlightened practice is, so far possible.
10 be adhered to on the present occasion. The
judges nnd the other officials connected with
the administration of justice may, II they ac-
cept the supremacy Of the United States, con-
tinue to administer the ordinary law OF the
land, as between man and man. under the SUI
pervisiOn Of the American commander-in.
chie1. The native constabulary will, so far as
may be practicable, be preserved The free.
dom of the people to pursue their accustomed
occupations will be abridged only when II may
BE- necessary TO do So
While the rule OF conduct OF the American
will be such as has just
been defined. IL will be his duty TO adopt meas
ures of different kind, IL, unfortunately. the
course of the people should render such meas
ures indispensable TO the maintenance of Law
and order. He will then possess the power to re-
place, or expel, the native oficials, In part OF
altogether, TO substitute new courts OF his own
constitution for those that now exist or &c
create such new or supplementary tribunals as
may be necessary. In the exercise OF thest
high powers the commander must be guided by
mis- Judgment and his experience and a high
sense Of justice
one of the most important and most praetI-
cal problems with which IL viii be necessary
20 deal is thart Of the treatment OF property and
the collection and administration Of the reve-
nues II is conceded that all public funds and
securities bellnging to the government Of the
country in its own right, and all arms and sup
plies and other movable property Of such gov
eminent may be seized by the military occu-
pant and converted 10 his own use. The rea
property Of the state he may hold and admin
lister, at the same time, enjoying the revenues
thereof. but he is not TO destroy II save In the
case OF military necessity. All public meant
OF transportation. such as telegraph lines
cables. railways and boats belonging q
Z he m he o. In Ia a. 20
but. unless in case Of military necessity
they are not to be destroyed All churches
and buildings devoted TO religious worship
and to the orts and sciences, all schoolhouses.
are, so far as possible, to be protected and all
destruction or intentional DETACHMENT OF such
places. Of historical monuments or archives, OF
Of works of science or art is prohibited, save
when required by urgent military necessity.
Private property, whether belonging TO indi-
viduals or corporations is 20 be respected anC
can be oontiscated only as hereafter Indicated
Means Of transportation, such as telegraph
lines and cables. RAILWAYS and boats may, al.
though they belong TO private individuals OF
corporations, be seized by the military occu-
pant, but unless destroyed under military ne.
cessity, are not 20 be retained
While II is held to be the right OF the con.
uueror TO levy contributions upon the enemy IL
their seaports, towns or provinces which may
be in his military possession by conquest, ant
TO apply the proceeds TO defray the expense o.
the war, this right is TO be exercised within
such limitations that IL may not SAVIOR OF con.
hscation As the result OF military occupation
the taxes and duties payable by the inhab
ftants to the former government become pay
able to the military occupant unless he seei
III 10 substitute for them other rates or modei
OF contribution TO the expenses Of the govern
ment The moneys so collected are to be useC
for the purpose OF paying the expenses OF gov
eminent under the military occupation, sucl
as the salaries of judges and the police ana fo
the payment OF the expenses Of the army
Private property taken for the use OF the army
Is 10 be paid for when possible in cash at fai
valuation and when payment in cash is no
possible receipts are to be given.
All ports and places in Cuba which may be II
the actual possession OF our land and nava
forces will be opened TO the commerce OF al
neutral nations. as well as our own, in articles
not cOntraband OF war upon payment Of The
prescribed rates OF duty which may be In fore,
AT the time Of the importation w lillian Nc
kinley.
by order of the secretary Of war H. G, Cor
Din, adjutant general
Rumor About BlRnoO and Gomez