The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-07-21

| AhehE
Washington, July 19.--A state paper
that will mark an epoch in American
history was issued last night by direc-
tion of President Mckinley.
1t provides, in general terms. for the
government of the surrendered part or
the province of Santiago de Cuba, and
Is the first document Of exactly the
same kind ever prepared by president
of the United States.
| The Presidents Message.
| Executive Mansion
Washington, July Is.
To the Secretary Of War:
Sir: The capitulation of the Spanish
| forces in Santiago de Cuba, and in the
| eastern part of the provlnct Of Santiago
and the occupation of the territory by
the forces OF the United States, render
/ 1t necessary to instruct the military
| commander Of the United States as to
the conduct which he is to observe dur
| Ing the military occupation.
The first effect of the military occu-
patton of the enemys territory Is the
| severance Of the former political rela-
| tons of the Inhabitants, and the estab-
Eshment OF q new political power. Un-
der this changed condition of things,
the inhabitants, so long as they per-
form their duties, are entitled to secu-
rity in their persons and properties, and
in all their private rights and rela-
tions.
1t Is my desire that the inhabitants
of Cuba should be acquainted with the
purpose Of the United States to dis
charge to the fullest extent its obliga-
tions 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 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 beneficent purpose,
will receive the reward of its support
and protection. Our occupation should
be as free from severity as possible
The judges and the other officials
connected with the administration Of
justice, may, IL they accept the su.
premacy of the United States, continue
to administer the ordinary law of the
land, as between man and man, under
the supervision of the American COM
mander-in-chef.
The native constabulary will, so far
as may be practicable, be preserved.
The frtedom of the people to pursue
their accustomed occupations will be
abridged only when 1t may be neces-
sar yto do so.
While the rule of con duct of the Am
erican commander-in-ch will be such
as has just been defined, II will be his
duty to adopt measures OF a different
kind, If, unfortunately, the course oS
the people should repder such meas
ures Indispensable to the maintenance
of law and order. lfe VIII taea pos
sess the power to replace or expel the
native officials in part or altogether, to
substitute new courts for those that
now exist. or to create such new or
supplementary tribunals as may be
necessary. In the exercise of these
high powers the comnIdnder must be
guided by his judgment and his expe-
rience and a high sense of justice.
One of the most important and most
practical problems with which 1t will
be necessary to deal, is that Of the
treatment of property and the collec-
ton and administration of the reve-
nues. 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 movable property of such gov
ernment, may be seized by the MILL
tary occupant and converted to his
own use. The real property of the
state he may hold and administer, at
the same time enjoying the revenues
thereof, but he is not to destroy 1t save
in case of military necessity.
All public means of transportation,
such as telegraph lines, cables, rail-
ways and boats belonging to the state
may be appropriated to his use, but
unless in case of military necessity,
they are not to be destroyed.
All churches and buildings devoted
to religious worship and to the arts
and sciences, all school houses are, so
far as possible, to be protected. and ali
destruction or intentional defaceInent
of such places, of historical monuments
or archives, or of works of science or
art, is prohibited, save when required
by urgent military necessity.
Private property, whether belonging
to individuals or corporations, is to be
respected, and can be confiscated only
as hereafter lndivated Means of trans
portatlon, such as telegraph lines and
cables, railways and boats, may, al
though they belong to private individ-
uals, or corporations, be seized by the
military occupants, but, unless destroy
ed under military necessity. are not to
be retained.
While it II held to be the right Of the
conqueror to levy contributions upon
the enemy in their sea ports, towns or
provinces which may be in his mill
tary possession by conquest, and to ap-
ply the proceeds to defray the ex-
penses of the war, this right is to be
exercised within such limitations that
1t may not SAVIOR of confiscation. AS
the result of military occupation, the
taxes and duties payable by the in
habitants to the former government be-
come payable to the military occupant,
unless he sees fit to substitute for them
other rates or fodes of contribution
to the expenses of the government. The
moneys so collected are to be used for
the purpose OF. paying the expenses of