Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-07-19

hlnltN, proVlulDS 10 Seneral lernS Ior
the government of the Province OF
Santiago:
ADJUTANT GENERALS OFFICE.
WASHINGTON, July Is, 1898.
General Shstter, Santiago, Cuba:
The following is sent you for your in-
formation and guidance. II will be
published 10 such manner in both Eng
lish and Spanish as will give it the
widest circulation in the territory under
your control:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, July Is, 1898.
| To the Secretary of War:
Sr:-The cspitulation of the Spanish
forces in Santiago de Cuba and in the
eastern part of the province of Santiago,
and the occupation of the territory ny
the forces of the United States, render
il necessary to instruct the military
commander of the United States as to
lie conduct which he is TO observe
turing the military occupation.
Tnr first effect Of the military occu-
pa.iun of The enemy's territory is the
severarce Of the former political rela
ions of the inhabitants, and the estab
i.Gment Of q new political power.
Uoder this changed condition of things.
the Inhabitants, so long as they per-
ora their duties, are entitled TO Sc
CURLY in their persons and property,
and iD all their private rights and rela-
tions. 1t is my desire that the inbabi.
tants of Cuba should be acquainted
wi b the purpose of the United States
To DISCHARGE TO the fullest exteut its OBJ
legations in this regard. 1t will there
lore be the duty OF the commander OF
the army of occupation to announce
and proclaim in the most public man
uer that 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, aud in their personal and
religious rights. All persons who,
either by active aid or by honest sub
mission, cooperate with the United
STATES in its efforts to give effect to this
baneiicent purpose, Will receive the re-
ward of its support and protection. Our
occupation should be as free from Sc
verify as possible.
Though the powers of the military
occupant are absolute and supreme,
aud Immediately operate upon the pc
litical condition of the inhabitants, the
municipal laws Of the conquered terri
tory. such as ,n-ct private rights OF
person and property, and provide Tor
the punishment of crime, are coBsl Ter
ed as continuing in force, so far as they
hi vrifh thn nr1ar tl
things, until they are suspended or gu
prrseded by the occupying belligerent,
and in practice they are not usually alb.
rogated, but are allowed to remain in
force, and to be administered ty the o.
! dioary tribunals, substantially as they
we're before the occupation. This en-
liphteued practice is, so far as possible,
!, be adhered to on the present occa-
on. The judges and the other otli-
cials connected with the administration
of Justice may, if 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 commander-inch chief. The
native constatulary will, so far as may
be practicable, be preserved. The
freedom of the people TO pursue their
accustomed occupations will be abridg-
ed ONLY when it may be necessary to
do so.
While the rule of conduct of the
American commander.in-cbief will be
such as has just been defined, it will be
MS duty to adopt measures OF differ
ent kind, if, unfortunately, the course
of the people should render such meas
ures Indispensable to the maintenance
OF law aud order. He will then pos
sess the power to replace or e1pel the
native officials in part or altogether, to
Substitute new courts OF his own con-
stitution for those that now exist, or to
create such new or elementary tri-
bunals as may be necessary. 1n the
exercise of these high powers the com.
mander must be guid d by his judg.
ment and his experience, and high
sense of justice.
One of the most important and most
practical problems with which it will
he necessary to deal is that of the treat
ment of property and the collection
and administration of the revenues.
Il 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 occupan'
and converted to his own use. Ihe
real property of the State he ma!
hold and administer, at the same time
enjoying the revenues thereof, but ut
is not to destroy it save in the case o.
military necessity. All public mean:
of transportation, such as telegraph
lines, cables, railways and boats belong
Jag to the State may be appropriated tt
his use, but unless in case of military
necessity they are not to be destroyed
All churches and buildings devoted tt
religious worship and 10 the sr's anf
SC roce all school houses, arr, sn ia'
as uossibe, to b. protected; aud all de
strn,iion ar intentional detacement o